2024-03-01 04:38:00
Virginia Beach City School Board is faced with fewer tax dollars as it prepares its next budget.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Possibly losing elective classes has Virginia Beach City School Board students and their parents angry.
“They need this. This is an important program that I think should be supported by the school,” Deanna Vargas said.
Colton Wiles is a student at Salem High School and says music programs allow students to connect with others and the world around them.
“That’s how they talk to people, that is how they see the world through music and how they make, like, how they make connections with things through music,” Wiles said.
In last Tuesday’s school board workshop, Superintendent Dr. Donald Robertson said cuts must be made because of a proposed tax reduction by the Virginia Beach City Council.
“I am concerned about the fact that they want to do a tax reduction because we’ve just shown you the $5. 7 million we need to cut. In addition to the money we’ve already cut. There’s no way around this budget where some was not going to be hurt,” Robertson said.
“(If I am a principal) I’m not running that elective class of 14 kids, because I’m not putting 33 to 1 class. These are decisions principals have to make. It’s very unfortunate.”
Melinda Rogers has 3 kids in Virginia Beach City Public Schools and is running for school board. She believes something else needs to be done to save arts programs.
“Music is academic, the arts are academic and we want to make sure that those classes are available to every student,” the superintendent told us tonight in a statement.
“Decisions on course offerings are made every year at the discretion of each school based on various factors, including enrollment numbers and state funding. When these decisions are made, required courses take priority over electives. VBCPS values fine arts education and encourages students and their families to enroll in electives that match their interests and academic goals. Factors such as increased enrollment and funding can impact future decisions on course offerings.”
Parents said they plan to voice their concerns at the next city council meeting next week. The School Board has planned a workshop for Tuesday, March 5th.
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