Supervisors Reject School Building Plan

As Fairfax County supervisors and School Board members prepare to deal with a $430 million combined budget shortfall, they have pledged to work cooperatively.

If the derailed school system plan to centralize its headquarters is an indication, they are not in accord yet.

School Board members cited long-term savings as a primary reason for overwhelmingly passing a $130 million financing plan to buy and renovate a Falls Church building. But Monday night, the Board of Supervisors rejected the School Board's move, questioning aspects of the business plan and the purchase's timing.

School officials were discouraged.

"In a year that we are going to be facing the most severe budget challenge since 1991, we were hoping to work with the county to find creative ways to address both of our needs. And instead of signing onto a sound business plan . . . the Board of Supervisors said, thanks, but no thanks," School Board member Stuart D. Gibson (Hunter Mill) said.

Four years ago, supervisors approved a school system purchase of a building in Falls Church to begin bringing together about 1,700 employees from a dozen aging facilities and four leased offices. The plan was to construct a second building, if the project saved money.

School officials say it saved money. And when the building next door became available, they figured it would be more affordable to buy than build. The 35-year-old building cost $52 million; with renovations, the cost would be about $110 million. They sought to borrow as much $130 million in case costs increase.

The School Board said the project would ultimately pay for itself and save $22 million over the life of a 30-year loan, including more than $7 million in the next few years when revenues are expected to be down. Savings would be generated by eliminating leases and consolidating school staff.

Supervisors followed a similar scenario in its decision to build the County Government Center, which was completed in 1992 and houses about 1,700 employees once scattered in leased or inadequate offices across the county.

Supervisors were not convinced. Chairman Gerald E. Connolly (D) said he was concerned that the School Board plan did not save more money. He said the plan risked "eroding public confidence," particularly given "painful decisions that have to be made" in the coming year.

The Board of Supervisors' vote to deny the action was unanimous. Before the meeting, the board was "of 10 different minds" regarding the potential acquisition, Vice Chairman Sharon S. Bulova (D-Braddock) said.

Bulova said she has supported the school system's efforts to bring employees under one roof and agrees that an economic downturn could be a good time to find a deal on a building. She said she would like to see the School Board return with a plan that saves more money.

"The schools are on the right track," Bulova said. "I hope that they feel they have the latitude to come back to us."