school funding

Join now!

User login

Localities

Who's your legislator?

When proposed legislation threatens the value of your home, we can help you contact your legislator.

Send us a tip!

Have a news item you think we'd want to share? Send it to us on our contact form!

Find us on...

Tell a Friend

Click here to send an e-mail to friend, co-worker, neighbor, or relative about the Virginia Homeowners Alliance.

Contact us

info@VaHomeowners
Alliance.com

Va Homeowners Alliance
PO Box 643
Richmond, VA 23286-0572

Localities struggle to replace funding withdrawn by Richmond

Virginia's budget -- pared down to 2007 levels -- stripped counties, cities, and towns across the commonwealth of funds that would have gone to schools, community services, and road construction projects. In order to balance their budgets without the anticipated money, most localities had to cut services, raise taxes, or both.

State budget issues can have a profound impact on homeowners, especially when those issues affect local community budgets.

Wise County school consolidation sparks battle with county supervisor

Photo by House of Sims

The Wise County Board of Supervisors will soon decide whether to support the school district's consolidation plan by providing funds to build three new schools. If the new buildings are not funded, School Superintendent Jeff Perry has indicated that the district move ahead with a backup plan. The backup plan calls for closing three small schools and making improvements to existing larger schools to accommodate students -- at a cost of $2 million.

The discussion has grown heated, with Board of Supervisors Chairman J.H. Rivers suggesting that $2 million could be cut from the school budget as a means of preventing consolidation. Rivers has said he has abandoned the idea.

Read more in the Kingsport Times-News....

Posted on Thursday, June 10, 2010 - 1:07pm

Proposed Halifax County budget includes no new taxes

The Halifax County Board of Supervisors is expected to approve an $89,971,290 budget proposal that includes no new taxes. However, the spending plan pulls $850,000 from the county's $7 million reserve fund in order to balance the books.

Officials say the extra money is needed to offset cuts in state funding to various constitutional offices. Funding to the county school system stayed the same, with the schools absorbing cuts to their own state funding.

Local spending plans are of keen interest to homeowners, as officials determine tax rates and progam availability during the budget planning process.

Planned layoffs avoided in Prince William County schools

Officials in Prince William County schools are elated because planned layoffs are no longer necessary -- meaning no district employees will lose their jobs.

“I am overjoyed to report there will be no reduction in force for any employee of Prince William County Public Schools next year,” Superintendent Steven L. Walts announced in a press release. “Due to the overwhelming teamwork and the generosity of budget managers, we will have a position for all current employees by the start of the next school year.”

At one point earlier in the budget process, officials said that up to 700 jobs might have to be eliminated.

Posted on Tuesday, June 8, 2010 - 9:47am

Local governments do what it takes to balance budgets

Officials in cities and counties throughout Virginia are doing what they can to balance their budgets. Programs and jobs are being trimmed away, fees and taxes are rising, and stronger measures are being considered to bring tax scofflaws into compliance.

Local officials struggle to save jobs, programs while balancing budgets

County and city governments across Virginia are grappling with budget shortfalls made worse by declining support from the commonwealth. The choices they make -- to cut programs or raise property taxes -- affect homeowners' bottom lines in a tough economy.

Orange County supervisors propose 6-cent property tax increase

Orange County supervisors have decided to advertise a 6-cent increase, although they may ultimately pass a lower rate. Supervisors don't yet know how much funding the county will get from the state, and they can pass a rate less than advertised, but not higher without running a new advertisement.

County Administrator Julie Jordan's proposed budget gives the school system the same local contribution as last year, but state funding cuts have led the schools to eliminate 81.5 jobs. The county may need to provide more money for the schools.

Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 10:01am

Virginia legislature unlikely to adjourn on time

The Virginia legislature will likely not adjourn tomorrow as scheduled. Members of the House and Senate continue to negotiate in an effort to find common ground on fee increases and proposed cuts to K-12 education.