The split does not address that particular problem it is just a planned funding stream. If they had to reserve some of it - that would be an improvement, just like it would have been in your example.

Like the debt ceiling, there should be a reserve ceiling allowed. Look to GASB to maybe address this, if they haven’t already started. They are now mandating retire health care reserves. In a service industry where more that 80% of your expense is salary punctuated by blips of terrific capital expense there should be room for a limited reserve. Reserves do not do a lot for public trust though and can often be misused (SS) so it is a dilemma. But I question if the split is the actual problem.

We would not want to steadily build schools unless there is a need, but we should have a reserve to allow uninterrupted or at least one that will mitigate a slump like this.

You will get no argument from me that the schools screwed this up long before now. New school construction needs to be planned at least 5-10 years in advance and should be done in conjunction with overall comprehensive planning for growth in all segments of the county’s economy. Our previous Boards of Supervisors and School Boards dropped the ball, and we are now in a real struggle to catch up at the very point in time that money becomes tight.

We did cut taxes, waived or reduced proffers, and did all sorts of things to attract new growth then acted surprised when the roads were jammed and the schools got crowded. Well who the heck did we think was buying all those new homes (and, yes, I am one of those new buyers–I’ve been in PWC since ‘98).

Like Joseph in the Old Testament told the Pharaoh, we should have been saving and preparing in the boom years so that we could survive the lean years. The housing slowdown helps in that growth will slow but it hurts more because real estate values (and thus property tax revenue) are down.

Two other things have hurt us as well. First, the standing budget allocation agreement between the BOCS and School Board has got to go. Funding for the schools should be based on actual need, not a predetermined formula. In good years, it means the schools become lazy and inefficient because money is flowing like water. In lean years, it means drastic reductions that may or may not be justified by actual needs and priorities. In some years, the schools’ budget need may be really be 70% of the county’s revenue while in other years, the schools can operate on 48%. The second thing that has hurt is the limit on debt. When Stewart and his ilk talk about holding the line on taxes (and this county revenue), they are also putting a severe limit on the amount that can be invested in critical infrastructure. To keep the AAA bond rating, the county can’t devote more than 10% of the budget to debt and debt service for capital improvements. This means that new schools have to compete with new police stations, fire houses, libraries, and roads for even more limited funds. In fact, with the revenue sharing agreement in place, it is possible for the schools to have funds to build the buildings but not be able to because they can’t take on the additional debt.

We agree!!!!! - “They should have been working on the new school(s) 4 years ago”.

It has been pushed two maybe almost three years now.

During the late 90’s and early 00’s when the BOCS was dying to go from the highest tax rate in the region to the lowest they reduced the tax rate far too low. It sold well, but the long term result is bad. That was bad planning, like removing your principal thinking interest will make it up.

This problem is not new and certainly not the fault of most of the current BOCS members. Not at all. But they must not delay addressing this issue. We lost a year because of the election. It is almost humorous that they make the descision to ignore the problem becuase it’s an election year and everyone knows it and it only hurt the citizen again.

You numbers, on the surface, seem to be very telling. But you’re missing a large part of the equation.

Prince William has had a growing LEGAL hispanic population for quite some time. To make the leap from the Census data to the assumption that a large portion of those numbers are illegals is a logical fallacy. There is not any hard evidence (just anecdotal) to support your supposition.

Oh, and the data you posted actually shows a 240% increase in the 5 to 14 year old hispanic population from 1990 to 2000, not 66%, and a 33% (not 16%) increase in the overall population of 5 to 14 year olds (which includes those Hispanic children). So, yes, Hispanics now make up a larger portion of the 5 to 14 year olds in Prince William County, but the overall population of 5 to 14 year olds has been growing tremendously. Your numbers only prove that Hispanics make up a larger portion of that group, not that Hispanics are the only cause of this growth.

For a moment let’s go with your flawed assumption that many of those Hispanics are illegal. Taking their numbers out of the overall population, there was still a 24.9% growth in the number of 5 to 14 year olds in Prince William County from 1990 to 2000. The schools would still be overcrowded based on those growth numbers alone.

Once those not paying their fair share start to, it will ease the burden on the rest of us. I received reduced lunch when I was growing up and my children did as well when they were growing up. It is a good program and should continue. The difference is, my parents, like myself, were working hard to make ends meet and they just couldn’t do it. We had 4 kids in my family and I had 3. We lived in So IL, which was and is a depressed area since the coal mines had to close down. Many factors come into play for those who need the help. I am all for helping those who need it and are willing to work to help pay their fair share.

‘I think there are more ILLEGAL alien children and anchor babies than you are giving credit for.’

I don’t claim to know how many illegal alien children there are. The point is, in schools, no one knows. There is no litmus test and they blend in. It is truly an unknown quantity.

I have not attempted to minimize their numbers. I hope this clears up any confusion.

“the lady doth protest too much, methinks”

# Lafayette said on 20 Dec 2007 at 11:38 pm:

This is from another thread.
This blog is great for discussion, however the last few days there’s been too much name called and intolerance of others for my taste. I hope that changes some

I know there’s a thread with reference to fistshaped dildo(I appreciate the warning and all). Wow, I can’t believe such Christians would even look at something like that. Let alone post it here. What is going on here? Some sort of illness I’m just not sure what you would call it. Hmm.
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# PWConservative said on 21 Dec 2007 at 12:04 am:

i was merely pointing out communistic ideology, and to lafayette I agree, posting such content is offensive and leads us to question the sincerity of the poster’s Christianity. it has been interesting debating our idea’s but I for one am getting a little tired of the division.
To the Three Left-Leaning debaters. Merry Christmas and God Bless
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It seems obvious to all that can read the post was not directed at me as you would make it out to be.

I will let you spout your little diatribe now and it will be the last word.

PWConservative said on 21 Dec 2007 at 12:04 am: i was merely pointing out communistic ideology, and to lafayette

I agree, posting such content is offensive and leads us to question the sincerity of the poster’s Christianity.

it has been interesting debating our idea’s but I for one am getting a little tired of the division.
To the Three Left-Leaning debaters. Merry Christmas and God Bless

You make me laugh. You simply can’t respect an opinion other than your own. No one said you had to agree or adopt it as your new mantra. Just simple respect is clearly beyond you.

Oh well. I was right and you know it.

Someone needs to report those children to both Sudley School and the Pupil Personnel office at Independent Hill if facts can be verified.

I agree and have to break this out…( the only message I can think of and it had to start somewhere )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z04r_tlWdRs