Tax Policy Might Mean Smaller Teacher Raises

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors approved a tax policy yesterday for the next fiscal year that would provide less money for teacher raises than school officials had sought, making it likely that county educators will continue to be among the lowest-paid in Northern Virginia.

The supervisors agreed 5 to 3 to advertise a tax rate of 78.7 cents per $100 of assessed value for fiscal 2008, up from the current rate of 75.8 cents. That could translate to about $9.4 million in extra revenue for teacher salaries, short of the school system's request of $11.5 million to help its salaries keep pace with competitors in Loudoun, Arlington and Fairfax counties.

Supervisors will adopt a final tax rate next month, but state law prohibits them from raising the rate above what is advertised. Overall, tax bills are expected to drop in the coming year because of declining property values.

"I am absolutely delighted," said county board Chairman Corey A. Stewart (R), calling the tax-policy decision "an absolute accomplishment" in a tight budget year.

School Board Chairman Lucy S. Beauchamp (At Large) said she was disappointed. She said school officials will continue to seek full funding for their request until the supervisors finish appropriations next month.

"I believe [$11.5 million] is what we need, not just what we want," she said. "We cannot run a school division competitively this way."

The school board is seeking to increase teacher salaries 5 percent, including a 3 percent "step" raise for longevity and 2 percent cost-of-living boost. With yesterday's decision, teachers are likely to get a raise totaling a little more than 4 percent.

Across Northern Virginia, school systems are proposing teacher raises in the range of 5 to 7 percent.

The three Prince William supervisors who voted against the tax rate advertisement were Hilda M. Barg (D-Woodbridge), Maureen S. Caddigan (R-Dumfries) and John D. Jenkins (D-Neabsco).

The board had signaled to school officials in previous months that it would more than likely keep the tax rate flat to give homeowners relief after years of rising assessments and tax bills. All of the supervisors are up for reelection this year.

Many supervisors have accused the School Board in recent weeks of not making enough budget cuts for the system, which serves more than 72,000 students. Yesterday, their anger peaked after Beauchamp presented her case and took questions from supervisors.

She was quickly hit with questions and criticism from supervisors who were frustrated with the school system's eagerness to scrutinize their plans. Supervisor W.S. Covington III (R-Brentsville) accused Superintendent Steven L. Walts of not being "responsive" enough to his recent questions about school spending.

Supervisor John T. Stirrup Jr. (R-Gainesville) told Beauchamp that the school system should reconsider a $5.5 million initiative to finish adding all-day kindergarten throughout the county. He said he was skeptical about whether the program raises achievement, adding that it "disturbs me that that this is the top priority of the school board."