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BUFFALO VICTIMS continues on
Budget cuts
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added back into the budget.
“Most scenarios are the state would provide enough,” he said, “we’re just waiting for the final numbers there.”
Chairman Jeff Morse (Dulles) interpreted the recommendation as an effort to achieve funding equality among activities.
“We’re trying to fix the tides for all boats. We can’t fix the tide for some boats and not the others. They’re both going to change, so it’s a dynamic situation where you can’t solve half of the equation,” he said.
Harris Mahedavi (Ashburn) expressed his frustration with the gap between the school district’s request and funding from the county government. The school division had requested $1.08 billion in local tax funding, a $75 million increase over the current fiscal year. The Board of Supervisors funded a $53.7 million increase.
“We could have done the 5% if we were funded properly from the Board of Supervisors, and here we are in this challenging situation here,” he said.
The staff also recommended the elimination of 25 new elementary teacher positions, which Chief Financial Officer Sharon Willoughby reported would not significantly impact student to teacher ratios, and would slash $2,378,263 from the budget. Part-time first grade teacher assistant positions were also removed, saving $1.5 million.
Hayley Milon Bour/Loudoun Now From left, School Board members Jeff Morse, Ian Serotkin and John Beatty debate last minute budget cuts during the May 24 meeting.
— Chairman Jeff Morse (Dulles)
The presentation identified the removal of $1,000 stipends for special education teachers and assistants as potential savings, totaling $707,261.
A number of cuts to the English Learner department saved over $2 million, including 16 EL teachers.
Although the possibility of the funding shortfall was identified in February, board members and Ziegler pointed to the state holding up the process.
“The commonwealth has put us and every school division in a very difficult place as far as adopting budgets. I appreciate all of their work and all of the work they’ve done projecting,” Ziegler said. n
Sheriff’s Office Plans Increased School Patrols After TX Shooting
Loudoun’s elementary school campuses may see a heightened law enforcement presence in the coming days, the Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday, hours after 19 students and two adults were gunned down in a Texas school.
“In light of the horrific shooting at Robb Elementary school and as we grieve with the City of Uvalde, Texas and the nation, #Loudoun residents will see an increased LCSO presence at elementary schools in the county to ensure that our community feels safe in their schools,” the agency posted on Twitter.
The extra patrols are precautionary.
“Although there is no connection to Loudoun County and no known threats, the increased presence is being conducted in an abundance of caution over the next several days,” the agency stated. n
Buffalo victims
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Gray, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd.
“This is how I’ve grown up. This is what I was taught. Each time a new headline comes about, it feels the same to me. It feels like nothing, like it’s second nature. How could it not be when it’s all that I’ve been taught to expect? All I’ve known is to say, ‘OK and comply.”
But the shooting at a grocery store in Buffalo, he said, was different.
“How am I supposed to manage not going out in public? How can I be at risk, at true danger, by simply leaving my home? By going to the grocery store?” Yohannes said. “I live in a white community, but the bottom line is, if a man walked into my neighborhood Target looking for a Black man to kill, I can code switch my plea to survive as much as I want, but I would be gone. What precautions can someone take for that? There’s none. So, this cannot go longer.”
He and Thomas called also for new gun regulations, such as banning the type of weapon used to murder people in the Buffalo shooting. And Loudoun NAACP Vice President Amanda Tandy read a statement from the group in response to the shooting.
“Don’t simply offer thoughts and prayers but engage and find out how we all work together to eradicate hate, bigotry, discrimination, and white supremacy by actively promoting the understanding of racial intolerance, equity and equality at our homes, families, schools, and playing fields, workplaces, and even our prayer spaces,” she said. n
Renss Greene/Loudoun Now NAACP members and interfaith leaders lead a candlelight march through Leesburg Friday, May 20.
