City Council kills proposed school funding tax hike

MANASSAS — City leaders failed to pass a new funding agreement for schools.

The proposal would have continued an annual 2.65 percent funding increase each year over the next three years resulting in:

• $1.8 million more for schools in 2020
• $1.83 million more for schools in 2021
• $1.88 million more for schools in 2022

The failure to reach an agreement comes after multiple joint committee meetings held throughout the year with both city council and school board members discussing the needs for school funding.

School officials are clamoring for the replacement of Dean Elementary School, as well as more funding for per-pupil funding.

“I have to say, this proposal was disappointing,” said Manassas Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kevin Newman.

He and city school board members said the funding plan didn’t go far enough to meet the needs of a growing school division. The funding plan is 25% less than what school officials requested and had per-pupil funding set at the same rate as 14 years ago.

“You are attempting to micromanage our budget and our schools. You’ve tied our hands, and you’re forcing us to make more cuts than what we already have,” said Manassas School Board member Tim Demeria.

Also threatened to be on the chopping block:

• Teacher salaries
• Some bus transportation
• Arts programs
• After school activities
• Teacher positions

Demeria also said class sizes are bound to increase.

Continuing the year-over-year funding increase was a tough sell for city council members.

“This [proposal] represents an 18 percent [budget] growth for public schools going forward. We fund the rest of the government on an estimated two percent growth,” said City Councilman Mark Wolfe. “I can’t imagine a better validation of what we’re going for public schools, I would like to do more, and I don’t know how we get there.”