Peter Klosky, a parent of two Sully Elementary School children, is prepared to write a check for $633 to pay for a proposed increase in annual property taxes. He says he has no qualms about shelling out the money for an 8 cent increase in the current tax rate, if it means officials will not cut school spending.
He joined more than 1,000 people at a public hearing last week to back the proposed $468.4 million FY05 school budget. They asked the Board of Supervisors to:
• Preserve proposed teacher salary increases and school programs.
• Control growth.
• Impose fees on developers to offset the increasing cost of education.
TURNOUT for the budget hearing was so great last week on Wednesday night that the front and back parking lots at Heritage High School in Leesburg were filled, and authorities had to redirect traffic to a shuttle at Evergreen Mills Elementary School.
The Board of Supervisors is considering budget cuts as it prepares to set the new tax rate.
Budget supporters wore pocket-sized gold stickers with "Invest in Loudoun's Children." They were unanimous in their testimony favoring higher taxes. Eight people objected to the significant tax increase when the public hearing was continued on Thursday night.
Noreen Cochran, an Ashburn parent, was among the 78 people who spoke to the board between 7 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. Wednesday. She warned that the quality of education would suffer if school spending was cut. "We'll talk about 'No Child Left Behind,' but many children will fall through the cracks," she said. "I don't want to live in one of the most affluent counties in the country and have my children receive an inferior education."
Naomi Lithgow-Foidl of Leesburg agreed. "The bottom line is you get what you pay for," she said. "Children are paying the price of uncontrolled growth. Loudoun County developers need to pay for the trouble we are in."
HER COMMENTS, like most of the supporters', were greeted with loud applause. The board has gone on record in opposition to any legislation that would give localities power to demand impact fees from developers to help offset the capital costs of new homes. It also objects to legislation that would regulate development to the rate with which the county can keep up.
Delbert White Jr., a Sterling parent, said he is willing to pay the 8 cent increase to preserve Loudoun's quality of education. "You can't put a price on responsibility. You can't put a price on ensuring our children have safe schools," he said. "You can't put a price on making sure we have excellent teachers like we have all over the system."
Richard Hammler, a South Riding teacher and a Leesburg parent, also pushed for development fees. "You, the Board of Supervisors, work for us, not the big developers," he said. "It's embarrassing that in the richest county in the state of Virginia, we have to fight and beg for school funding."
Will Stewart, a Paeonian Springs parent, told the board it either has to impose developer fees or increase taxes.
Kate Magennis Wyatt, parent and formerly Virginia's secretary of Commerce and Trade, said some members of the board should reverse their position on continued growth if they are planning to cut school programs. After the hearing, she commented further. "They say they want to cut taxes, but the bottom line is they are taxing the citizens every time they approve one new residential unit," she said.
OUTSIDE THE AUDITORIUM, Kathy Roche, president of the Parent Teacher Student Organization at Broad Run High School, expressed hope that the budget supporters were making a difference. She admitted some board members already have decided to cut the budget to alleviate the tax burden. "But I think the volume of people (at the hearing) might make them reconsider," she said. "They seemed more engaged than last year."
Scott York, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, responded. "I hope that Wednesday's turnout made an impression on all of us," he said. "Hopefully all of the board will be ensuring high education quality for all of Loudoun County, and developers will pay their fair share."
Klosky pulled out his checkbook to reinforce his willingness to pay higher taxes. He said he objected to increasing the size of schools to reduce budget costs. "Huge high schools of 2,000 or more lose the hearts and minds of students," he said. "We do not need to do this to Loudoun County."
The county's next two elementary school buildings will have four additional classrooms. Each school will accommodate 886 students. Currently Loudoun's middle schools have a 1,200 student capacity and high schools have 1,600.
Dawn Meyer, a second grade teacher at Potomac Hill Elementary School, cautioned against increasing class room size. Small class sizes contribute to academic excellence, she said. "Maintaining the current class size is essential. Raising taxes is not popular, but having substandard schools is even more devastating."
UNLIKE THE SUPPORTERS, Joseph Bane of Purcellville stood outside the auditorium and talked about his objections to the proposed school budget. "I'm here tonight because I'm sick to death with this ridiculous increase in taxes." He was scheduled to testify before the board Thursday, but did not attend the hearing.
Bane said he supports recommendations by Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling) to freeze salaries and cut spending. He characterized the large turnout Wednesday as a "standard operating procedure" for the National Education Association to rally teachers, parents and supporters when there is talk of cutting teacher salaries and school programs.
"They make it look like that you hate kids if you speak out against spending," he said. "How dare they insinuate we don't love our kids?"
Patrick Edeline, an Ashburn parent, was one of many who applauded the quality of the current education system. He said one of his children had "a special need for academic improvement," and within two years, her confidence has soared and she is on the honor roll.
Nancy Tessman, a Sterling parent, was among the parents and educators who expressed concern about teachers looking for jobs in neighboring Fairfax County if they don't get a proposed 6.2 percent increase in pay. Fairfax County's proposed budget calls for a 7.1 percent pay hike. Fairfax County's teachers already have a pay scale of 3 percent higher than Loudoun County's.
Ann Jansen of Leesburg used her time in front of the microphone to introduce the audience to the six new members of the Board of Supervisors. "Quite frankly, it seems you have forgotten who we are," she said. "We are the people that you are supposed to be representing."
Janet Marsh, Parent Teacher Organization president of the Waterford Elementary School, provided solutions to the tax burden. In addition to developer fees, she suggested the board convert existing buildings into schools and apply for grants.
Beth Erickson, former president of the same PTO, recommended putting the new high school on Harmony High School's 80-acre lot to save an estimated $3.7 million. Dominion High School and Seneca Ridge Middle School now share an 87-acre lot, at a cost savings.
With supporters holding up flyers, Wendy Minton of Leesburg asked the board to approve renovations, which are slated for Loudoun County High School and Blue Ridge, J. Lupton Simpson, Seneca and Sterling middle schools. She said the price tag will increase at least another $3 million if the board delays the capital improvements. They were delayed last year, costing an additional $4 million to $5 million.
Crystal Jackson of Leesburg said the renovations were important so that all students would have equal access to education.
Claire Schultz, president of the Loudoun Education Association, summed up the budget support by advising the board to invest in the students. "Education is an essential service," she said. "It cannot wait for better economic times."