Dinwiddie schools chief: Do not cut funds

By Jeremy Slayton

Published: December 22, 2008

Dinwiddie County School Superintendent Charles Maranzano Jr. has asked the state to spare six school systems affected by Fort Lee's expansion from budget cuts.

Maranzano made the request in a letter dated Dec. 15 to Gov. Timothy M. Kaine. "The expansion in Southside Virginia . . . presents an incredible challenge to meet the needs of military families," Maranzano said.

Kaine presented his proposed budget, aimed at alleviating a $2.9 billion shortfall, to the House and Senate money committees on Wednesday.

"It's a difficult year, a difficult budget year," said Gordon Hickey, Kaine's press secretary. "[Kaine] was careful to write the budget to not cut public education in the classroom."

Maranzano does not see it that way. "Every dollar removed from public education finds a way" to affect the classroom, he said.

Kaine's proposal would cap state funding of school support staff, largely administrative and clerical positions, to save $340 million in the 2010 fiscal year. Additionally, he would save $27.5 million by ending state-funded school-construction grants and move $55 million in Virginia Lottery funds, currently directed to school construction, to cover instructional costs.

When the Base Realignment and Closure Act was passed in 2005, Fort Lee was selected as one of the bases to experience growth. The communities around the base expect a surge in population.

In his letter to Kaine, Maranzano wrote about a 2007 Department of Defense environmental impact statement that listed Petersburg, Prince George County, Dinwiddie County, Colonial Heights, Chesterfield County and Hopewell as localities that will be "the epicenter for military family movement."

Maranzano wrote that the impact statement indicates more than 6,148 family members moving into the area and as many as 3,000 to 4,000 school-age children.

He said the influx of students to the six localities will increase the need for more teachers and classrooms to support them. He said he hopes the federal government comes through with more money for school construction, but so far it "has not stepped up to the plate."

Maranzano said he did not consult with the superintendents from the other five localities before sending the letter to Kaine. Petersburg Superintendent James M. Victory and Colonial Heights Superintendent Joseph Cox Jr. declined to comment on Maranzano's letter.

Chesterfield school system spokesman Tim Bullis said the county will let Maranzano's letter speak for itself.

"It's a tough time for everybody, with what is going on statewide and nationwide," said Prince George Superintendent R. Francis Moore.

Hopewell Superintendent Winston O. Odom was out of town and could not be reached for comment.

Kaine's budget proposal is in the hands of the General Assembly, which convenes Jan. 14 for a 46-day session.

Maranzano hopes his letter plants a seed for further action.

"I can't predict how [Kaine] will respond," Maranzano said. "Hopefully, it affects some of the decisions he has to make in the next 12 months."
Contact Jeremy Slayton at (804) 649-6861 or .