The Henrico County Schools budget of $402.4 million includes about $21 million in cuts compared with last years' $423.3 million spending plan. It eliminates about 123 jobs, including 98 teaching positions, and raises the student-teacher ratio by 0.75 pupils.

The plan calls for delays in the purchase of textbooks and buses and reduces staff development and tuition-reimbursement funding, as well as contributions to Maggie L. Walker Governor's School and the MathScience Innovation Center.

"I think we minimized the impact to Henrico County public schools by some great support from the Board of Supervisors and county manager," said Superintendent Patrick Russo.

Property values can be affected by the quality of local schools. Young families typically factor in the reputation of the local school district when making a decision about purchasing a house.

Read more in the Richmond Times-Dispatch....