User:Amersfutrtchr/Virginia education budget

During the first half of the 2008-2010 biennium, Governor Kaine faced a $2.5 billion budget shortfall and stated on his radio show that some agencies would see 20% cuts while others may only see 2% cuts. Initially, the education budget was untouched, but after a few rounds of cuts elsewhere, education finally took a hit. Virgina has a composite index of ability-to-pay based on the county or city, so some places are be more affected than others.

Specific effects of budget cuts
Some of the effects include: restrictions on expeditures, increased class sizes, non-classroom personnel job loss, staff vacancies unfilled and an increase for tuition in higher education.

Personal views from teachers
In interviews with teachers, there seems to be no clear cuts across the board. Barbara Schaedel, a fifth grade teacher in Chesterfield County said that she had an increase of students this year in her classroom and that she no longer had an aide. She also mentioned that the resource teachers were not always available and that certain new programs were being put on hold. Angela Nolen, a multiage teacher in Powhatan County said that her salary was affected because insurance nicreased, but there was no raise in pay. she also said that the field trips and teacher devlopment days were cut drastically