Virginia in the Nation

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

Virginia spends less on per-pupil funding K-12 than does the state of Mississippi, according to an editorial in the Roanoke Times last week.  Not much less; but less along with twelve other states that spend less than Mississippi, the state that has always been thought to be the bottom rung on the ladder for school funding.  Virginia's state per pupil funding of $4,840 was significantly less than the national average of $6,139 and less than Maryland at $6,503 and West Virginia at $6,116.  Our rank of 38^th lowest is a drop from being the 33^rd lowest in 2006-07.

Of course, public education is a partnership between the state and local governments in Virginia and in most states.  The numbers above are only part of the story.  To understand the full story, one needs also to consider local funding.  Virginia's budget is based on a split of the costs of schools with the state on the average paying 55 percent and the local government paying 45 percent.  The actual monies a locality receives is based on its wealth as measured by a composite index.  Wealthy communities must pay up to 80 percent of their education costs while the poorest localities may pay as little as 20 percent of educational costs.  In practice, however, the state has seldom reached its average of 55 percent.  In 2007-08, before the full impact of the recession, Virginia was providing only 41 percent of K-12 revenue; localities had to pick up 53 percent rather than 45 percent.  The federal government provided 6 percent of revenue.  Put all the sources of revenue together and Virginia's $11,080 per pupil funding is slightly above the national average of $11,004.

As you have already figured out, if the state is not providing its required share the localities must make up the difference.  That is why the Commonwealth ranks 12^th in local per-pupil funding.  Local school boards and local supervisors attempt to preserve their schools as much as they can, and when state revenue is not provided they have to provide more local money.  The only source for major local revenue is the property tax.  As property values have gone down tax rates have had to be adjusted upward to offset the loss of state revenue.  While Richmond politicians brag about not raising taxes, they actually have in reality by forcing more and more school costs down to localities and onto the property tax payers' backs.  Local communities pick up the difference because of their commitment to quality schools.

If you want to check the source of any of these numbers, go to www.jlarc.virginia.gov.  Go to the publication, "Virginia Compared to Other States, 2011."  I will address other comparisons in future columns.

Support Reston Association's Camp Scholarship Program to give underprivileged children in our area a chance to attend Reston Association's wonderful camps.  RA Camps offer kids a golden opportunity to explore Reston's natural environment and develop the self-confidence, abilities, skills, and interests that help them become good citizens.  At camp, the children interact with positive role models and enjoy a variety of camp activities such as crafts, hiking, boating, swimming, sports, and games.  Each $450 dontion covers one child's 2-week camp tuition plus transportation.  You need not sponsor an entire scholarship; donations in any amount are appreciated.  Send your donation to:  ATTN Katie Shaw, Friends of Reston, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA  20191 and write "Camp Scholarship" in the memo section of your check.  All donations will be recognized in the Reston Magazine and in the RCA Camps Handbook.  (You may also choose to not be listed.)  For more information, contact friendsofreston@gmail.com.

Fairfax County Public Library now has a mobile app available via iTunes for customers who own iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touch devices.  The new app allows customers to search the library catalog, place holds, check account status, and more.  The app also offers a Visual ID feature that stores an image of the customer's library card barcode on their iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch.  Visual ID allows customers to have their card number with them at all times.  Checking out material at Express Checkout by sanning this Visual ID and reserving the library's Internet access computers by typing in the card number are two eamples of the convenience offered.  The app can be downloaded free from the iTunes store at http://itunes.apple.com/app/fairfax-library/id4154.  For more information, call Robert Harvey at 703.324.8334, TTY 711.

You can control how your personal and financial informaiton is used by companies who send you mail, e-mail, or call you on the phone.  To safeguard against the misuse of informaiton, you can reduce unsolicited sales pitches, control the number of credit offers you receive by mail, remove your name from mailing lists, and report unsolicited spam at the following:

* National Do Not Call Registry - Allows you to reduce the number of unsolicited telemarketing calls you receive.  1.888.382.1222.

* Opt Out of Marketing Lists - To discontinue receiving prescreened offers for credit or insurance from lists generated from credit reporting companies.  1.877.382.4357.

Fairfax County's Free Seminars for Family Caregivers series offers ten events this spring to help family caregivers of older adults and adults with disabilities throughout the county.  Speakers include experts in law, insurance, care management, finances, and Alzheimer's disease.  To get a complete listing of seminars, call 703.324.5205 or email caregiver@fairfaxcounty.gov.

If you are thinking about starting a small busines in Fairfax County or have already begun the process, there are many workshops, seminars, tax and license information, publications, and resources available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/business/small-business.