Alexandria, Arlington school officials grapple with budget gaps

Alexandria and Arlington County school systems are making classrooms a priority as they face sizable budget gaps for next year.

Preliminary projections show Alexandria with a budget gap of $11 million to $17 million, officials said. Arlington's school system is looking at a gap of about $33 million, based on preliminary numbers.

The estimates will fluctuate until both systems get solid figures from their local and state governments, which are working on their budgets.

Jean Sina, chief financial officer for Alexandria schools, said the city is expected to give the schools about 2 percent more than last year, but more students are expected to enroll. Alexandria was projected to add 800 students between 2009 and next year, and many will have special needs, including learning English as a second language, he said.

"More students, less money and trying to balance the budget," Sina said. "That is where we are at this point."

Instead of making cuts based on the current school year's budget, Sina said, the system will start from "ground zero" and build based on what each school needs.

"Our education plan is very detailed and also provides strict accountability measures and metrics," said Amy Carlini, a spokeswoman for Alexandria schools. That plan identifies what is and is not working and helps the superintendent and School Board come up with a budget strategy, she said.

In Arlington, the county and schools agreed on a funding formula that accounts for 700 new students in fall 2011.

"Are we going to have less money than last year? Yes," said Linda Erdos, a spokeswoman for Arlington public schools. "That is the purpose of the conversation the superintendent has had with a number of community groups, staff groups, budget forums and, finally, the various surveys that were put out there to give all people a chance to weigh in as we go to putting the budget to bed."

Community and staff surveys show common items at high priority levels between both groups. Arts programs, classroom technology and small class sizes were priorities on the surveys.

"It came through loud and clear from staff, from parents and community, to do whatever we could to preserve the strong instructional program that we have," Erdos said.

Alexandria and Arlington school systems gave their employees step raises halfway through this school year and, to save money, did not fill vacant positions.

Alexandria's school superintendent, Morton Sherman, will present his budget to the board Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Arlington's schools chief, Patrick K. Murphy, will present his budget Feb. 23.

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