With the country sinking deeper into a recession, counties are left wondering how their school budgets will be affected.
By Amy Via
Henrico and Chesterfield County schools are expecting budget cuts for the 2009-2010 school year.
Currently, a report from March 11 said that Henrico County’s proposed budget calls for no cuts. Instead, the county wants to put a freeze on hiring and sacrifice pay raises.
In spite of the recession, the 2008-2009 budget for Henrico County managed to keep the essential extra-curricular programs in art, but teachers fear that next year may face cuts.
Natalie Wier, art department chair at Varina and Mehfoud Elementary Schools in Henrico County, explained that the current recession occurred in the middle of the school year, so it hasn’t affected her schools, yet.
Henrico’s budget for art supplies was also calculated last year. Wier thinks that this year will be fine, but next year may be more difficult.
“Art teachers are always having to be creative and figure things out budget-wise,” said Wier.
If Henrico makes cuts to the budget, Wier thinks she’ll have to be even more creative next year.
Mary Scurlock, art teacher at Henrico High School’s Center for the Arts, feels the school will be okay budget-wise. At this point the worst that may occur is the lack of hiring new teachers.
“I’ve been told that Henrico County is a little more financially stable than other counties,” said Scurlock.
Scurlock thinks that the administrators in Henrico are aware of the fact that art is a priority for children, and are therefore protecting art programs. But she agreed that next year’s budget will be a more accurate reflection of whether art programs will really suffer.
Mike Gettings, art specialist for Henrico Co. Public Schools, feels art programs should be okay as long as the budget is approved as it currently stands.
Gettings said the school board thinks art is an important part of school systems.
“It’s a belief system that they feel is an important part of every child’s education,” said Gettings.
Henrico County will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget on April 14.
Chesterfield County is also waiting for budget results.
According to the March 11 report, Chesterfield County has proposed $1.23 billion for the budget, with $627.2 million of that going to public schools. However, this would still be a 2.5 percent decrease in funding.
Shawn Smith, Assistant Director of community relations for Chesterfield Co. Public Schools, said their school board is still going through the budget process.
The only specific reduction in Chesterfield has been a $78,000 cut in replacing music equipment and music equipment repair for next year.
Smith also said that no decisions have been made in terms of employee lay-offs, so “employees are not aware of their status.”
Chesterfield Co. Public Schools will vote on the proposed budget on April 15.
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