This one will be short and easy to understand.
Our pro-education mayor has submitted a proposed 2010-2011 fiscal plan that further reduces the share of Richmond’s general fund expenditures for Richmond Public Schools. The pie-chart on page 45 of the mayor’s proposal indicates that RPS will receive 24.34 percent of the city’s total general fund spending in fiscal year 2010 and 24.08 percent in fiscal year 2011. This compares with 24.71 percent in fiscal year 2009, 25.03 percent in fiscal year 2008 and 26.11 percent in fiscal year 2007. To make sure you understand I’ve prepared this little chart:
FY 2007……………………26.11%
FY 2008……………………25.03%
FY 2009……………………24.71%
FY 2010(proposed)…....24.34%
FY 2011(proposed)….....24.08%
The maven understands that the economy is in shambles and that the city’s income from all sources is down considerably. However, if all government programs in the city must suffer, the pain should be spread evenly. To restore RPS to the share of the general fund expenditures that it has in fiscal year 2009, about $2.32 million for fiscal year 2010 and $4.04 million for fiscal year 2022 must be added to the amounts proposed by the mayor. (If my figures are wrong, blame my arithmetical skills; the principal is still valid.)
And, don’t think for a second that this is enough. As I have pointed out in the past, Richmond spends considerably less for its schools than do our neighboring counties and comparable cities. Throwing Down the Gauntlet If we really care about our children, we need to dedicate more of our city budget to our public schools.
So what can you do about this injustice being done to our children? Write to your City Council member and urge him or her to add money for RPS so its share of the city’s spending keeps even with past years.
1st District……..Bruce.Tyler@Richmondgov.com
2nd District……Charles.Samuels@Richmondgov.com
3rd District…..Chris.Hilbert@Richmondgov.com
4th District…..Kathy.Graziano@Richmondgov.com
5th District…..Marty.Jewell@Richmondgov.com
6th District…..Ellen.Robertson@Richmondgov.com
7th District…..Betty.Squire@Richmondgov.com
8th District…..Reva.Trammell@Richmondgov.com
9th District…..Doug.Conner@Richmondgov.com
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Hard Times? Schools Get Shafted—Again
Labels:
Funding,
Richmond Public Schools
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1 comment:
I'm not a mathmateician either, but if I read your post correctly, your analysis is incorrect. The schools percentage went down but not by near as much as City revenues went down overall.
The schools budget was cut by about one half of ONE percent, and the overall budget is about 4%-5% less than last year. That means they got off easier than many other city departments.
Not to mention they have all these audits keep coming out that say there are millions to be saved all over. Self help starts at home before you go looking for handouts.
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