Nelson schools could lose more than $25k under governor's plan

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Schools face more cuts as McDonnell moves to change index

Here’s how much area school divisions could lose under McDonnell’s proposal:

• Bedford County - nearly $3.5 million

• Lynchburg - more than $1.7 million

• Campbell County - more than $740,000

• Appomattox County - nearly $500,000

• Amherst County - more than $36,700

• Nelson County - more than $25,000

Lynchburg-area schools, already worried about significant reductions in state funding, could lose an additional combined $6 million for the 2010-11 school year, numbers released this week from the state Department of Education show.

The reductions are based on changes recommended by Gov. Bob McDonnell on Monday to the index that determines how much state money each school division receives.

The Department of Education report shows the proposal would cost close to $3.5 million for Bedford County Public Schools, which already had anticipated a shortfall of more than $5 million.

Lynchburg City Schools, meanwhile, would receive $1.7 million less, adding to a budget gap previously estimated as high as $10 million.

Schools in some other regions stand to benefit from the changes, especially in Northern Virginia, where school divisions together could gain close to $130 million.

The changes affect Virginia’s local composite index, a complex ability-to-pay formula that the state Department of Education uses to determine how much money to give to each of the state’s 134 school divisions.

Former Gov. Timothy M. Kaine’s budget had proposed freezing the index at 2008 levels. That would have benefited 95 school districts and saved the state money overall. On the other hand, 39 divisions would have lost money. Now, if McDonnell’s proposal to un-freeze the index passes the General Assembly, the situation will be reversed.

“Ensuring that we have a fair formula that is implemented without regard to temporary or political considerations is the best means by which to appropriate education funding to the Commonwealth,” McDonnell said in a statement Monday.

Among Lynchburg-area school divisions, Bedford County stands to lose the most money, both actually and in proportion to its operational budget, which is $100 million for this school year.

“If you look across the state, I guess you could say there were some winners and losers from this action,” Bedford Schools Superintendent Douglas Schuch said Wednesday.

“In looking at the amounts of gains and losses, in proportion, we have to be down there. It’s where we are and we’re going to have to deal with it … it could still get worse.”

Campbell County public schools stand to lose more than $740,000 under the formula change. Appomattox County schools could lose close to $500,000, which would nearly double an estimated budget shortfall. School divisions in Amherst and Nelson counties stand to lose roughly $36,700 and $25,000, respectively.

“It’s certainly disappointing,” said Lynchburg School Board Chairwoman Mary Ann Barker, later adding, “If I were a representative … I think I would want to look out for this particular (Central Virginia) area.”

Area state representatives had varying reactions to the news.

“I’m very much opposed to altering the composite index,” said Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg. “I would struggle immensely with a budget that included numbers that were so injurious to our area of the state.”

Noting budget discussions going on in Richmond “both in public and behind closed doors,” Newman said the formula change is “very much on my colleagues’ radar.

“We discussed it again today and I plan to do all I can on this item.”

Del. Scott Garrett, R-Lynchburg, and a former City Council member, recalled some of council’s suggestions last year when asked for reaction to the impact of additional state cutbacks in funding to Lynchburg City Schools.

“I hope the school board and city administration are doing what City Council spoke loud and clear about last year and that is to aggressively work toward consolidating those 15 departments that are duplicated between city schools and the city administration,” Garrett said.

“If they address those issues there will be significant efficiencies that will accrue and monies that can be saved.”