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258 <br /> <br /> Mr. Ed Gillaspie, Finance Director for the Schools, said that state revenues are <br />expected to drop by a total of $700,000 due to: an increase in the composite index which <br />decreases revenues; $300,000 less in salary supplement; and a 30 to 70 drop in students. <br />A net revenue gain of $300,000 is expected, including City funds, which amounts to a <br />shortfall of $500,000. <br /> <br /> Dr. Symons said that City funding is up $1 million, $300,000 over what was <br />expected. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Cox, Dr. Symons said that the 150 out of <br />district students brings in about $300,000 additional revenue from the state. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Caravati, Mr. Ron Hutchinson, Assistant <br />Superintendent of Schools, said that the drop in enrollment seen in City schools is part of <br />a national trend that is attributable to a drop in the birthrate. <br /> <br /> Ms. Linda Bowen, School Board member, asked why the composite index is <br />changing, and Mr. Gillaspie said that the composite index is a weighted system of a <br />locality's ability to pay which includes property values, income, and sales tax, ail of <br />which are up in the City. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he would like to see targeted open enrollment between the City and <br />County Schools that would take the overflow of students from Monticello High School <br />and put them in Charlottesville High School. <br /> <br /> Dr. Symons said that as they begin the budget process, they are hopeful that state <br />revenues will be higher than expected. A surplus in the budget in the range of $200,000 <br />is anticipated. Dr. Symons questioned whether the schools have the capacity to <br />redistribute resources in order to deal with the shortfall, and said that if it is not done now <br />it may have to be done in the future. Dr. Symons noted that the $500,000 projected <br />shortfall does not include new program requests and salary increases outside of the step <br />increase. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said she feels that almost the only way to deal with the shortfall is to <br />redistribute resources since the surplus funds should not be used for ongoing expenses. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said the reality is that the school system is getting smaller, but the staff <br />continues to increase, and he does not feel that can continue. <br /> <br />Mr. Gillaspie noted that no staff increases are proposed. <br /> <br /> Dr. Symons said that Charlottesville Schools have one instructional adult for <br />every 7.5 children, and if there is a commitment to improve teacher salaries, you have to <br />question whether there should be a redeployment of staff. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty asked where reductions could be made, and Dr. Symons said that <br />some staffmg reductions could be done and still keep the student/teacher ratios below <br />20/1. Dr. Symons noted that in some cases the ratio is 12/1 or 13/1 which he feels is too <br />low. Dr. Symons said he thinks everything should be on the table. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said that resources, should be put where they are needed, and the same <br />resources are not needed in each school. Mr. Cox said he feels ready to have a discussion <br />with the community about reallocating resources. <br /> <br />Mr. Gillaspie noted that there are different staffing levels are different schools. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano said the question is the process by which you do it and how Council <br />is involved. Mr. Toscano said Council should not be overseeing this process; the School <br />Board is appointed to do the job and is charged with coming up with the answers. Mr. <br />Toscano said Council should not be second guessing the School Board's decisions. <br /> <br /> <br />