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Hatrick Seeks 22 Percent Increase In Local School Funding

By Charlie Jackson

(Created: Wednesday, November 29, 2006 3:08 PM EST)

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Loudoun Public Schools Superintendent Edgar B. Hatrick is seeking more than $106 million in spending increases in his proposed FY 2008 budget presented Tuesday night. That request amounts to a 17.5 percent jump from last year at a time when the county's real estate values are leveling off after years of strong growth.

Hatrick's budget would require at least $541.6 million in local funds, a 22 percent hike from a year ago. That level of increase generally equates to revenue that would be generated by a 10-cent increase in the county's 89-cent real estate tax rate. County supervisors have voiced their intent to keep the election-year tax rate low.

The school budget package includes a starting teacher salary of $43,500, a significant jump from the $40,986 approved a year ago. Hatrick said Loudoun County should "lead, not follow," other Northern Virginia jurisdictions in the area of teacher compensation. If approved as proposed, the average teacher in Loudoun would earn $62,592, a $4,000 increase from last year.

School board members have reason to worry heading into the 2006-07 budget battle. In County Administrator Kirby M. Bower' pre-budget presentation last week, he had anticipated about $90 million in increased funding for the school system. Bowers said last week that home assessments are expected to fall 3 percent in 2007, a far cry from the double-digit increases county stewards had become accustomed to. That means less money to go around and more tough choices.

Sugarland Run District School Board member Joseph Guzman said large cuts are in order.

"I think we have to get to reality pretty soon," Guzman said. "Dr. Hatrick has put together a full-service, comprehensive budget. But the fact is the local transfer we're going to be requesting exceeds the local tax rate. The fact is we have to be responsible, too. If we don't take sizeable measures to cut this budget we are gong to have a hard time reconciling it in the early spring. We're looking at very substantial cuts to this budget."

Board member J. Warren Geurin (Sterling) wasn't as quick to bring out the budget axe and said the budget came in lower than he anticipated.

"It's premature, in my opinion, for members of the school board to worry about what supervisors might or might not do," he said. "Affordability, yes, it's important. As always it's the 800-pound gorilla in the room. I'm not trying to ignore it, but realistically we need to present to the supervisors a budget we believe funds what we need. Year after year we have done that and they have made cuts. Year after year we have reconciled our budget. If we start today by taking pot shots at the superintendent's budget, we are just inviting more trouble."

Among the driving factors in the requested are the anticipated openings of four new schools and an increased enrollment of 2,918 students. As of Sept. 30, county schools enrolled 53,396 students, according to Hatrick's presentation. The new classrooms mean the addition of 331.1 new teachers, 87 teacher assistants, 45 bus drivers, 15.8 school administrators and a host of other new positions. Administrative, classified and auxiliary employees all receive 6 percent or greater increases in Hatrick's budget.

More than $37 million, or 35 percent, of the spending increases stem from enrollment figures, Hatrick said.

Supervisor Mick Staton (Sugarland Run), sat in the back corner of the school administration building watching Hatrick unveil his wish list.

"The growth rate in Loudoun County has slowed by 50 percent over the last three budget cycles," Staton said. "There are fewer students in the schools than projected. So I'm just wondering how the county's growth rate can slow by 50 percent, but we are still projecting same amount of students. This is absolutely a higher local transfer than you can expect them to get."

The remaining spending increases are a result of continuing obligations ($24.7 million), compensation increases ($20.5 million), the opening of new schools ($6.6 million) and some minor technological advancements and new initiatives.

"I would say they are slim," Hatrick said of new initiatives, which include a Latin cultures music class ($33,000), a substitute custodian program ($730,777), a marching band allotment for additional personnel and materials ($75,000) and perhaps most interestingly more than $1.8 million for land assessment to evaluate potential school sites. Hatrick said "often before we receive funding, we have to do all kinds of testing to be sure buying a piece of property is a good idea.'

Bowers' estimated last week that keeping the tax rate at 89 cents would result in a $61 million shortfall. His estimate included $90.8 million in local transfer increases for the school system, not $98.2 million as Hatrick proposed.

County Chairman Scott K. York (I-At large) said Wednesday morning that the school system would have to look at everything, from line items to programs and wages.

"With $70 million on the table having to be cut, I was kind of thinking back on the proposed wages," said York, who watched Hatrick's presentation in person. "Even if you didn't give the raises, that's only about $32 million. But we're talking $70 million. We're talking potentially having to cut some programs. It's an awful lot to make up without adjusting the tax rate."

Bowers warned that to comply with the board's wishes to develop an election-year budget that holds the tax rate at the existing 89 cents per $100 of assessed value would require substantial reductions in the budget increases county departments are requesting. Of $56.5 million in requested increases--including $36.7 million for public safety agencies--Bowers said he has identified about $10.2 million in absolute needs.

Hatrick's local transfer request could inch up by about $2.4 million because the food services department, designed to be self sufficient, is not breaking even. Hatrick said it's a policy decision the board needs to make, but suggested two alternatives: adding $2.4 million in local funding request or by increasing school lunch prices for elementary, secondary, adult lunches and breakfasts. Free and reduced price lunches would remain at current levels.

Since 1997, the school system has grown exponentially. Hatrick's budget would employ 8,274 full time employees. In 1997, the school system employed 2,593 employees. That same year, Loudoun was home to 37 schools. With the anticipated openings next year, Hatrick will oversee 72 schools.

The school board has seven work sessions planned, beginning on Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the school administration building. The board plans to approve its budget on Jan. 9.

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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of Leesburg Today.
Total Comments: 24 comment(s)

echy wrote on Dec 5, 2006 3:36 PM:

" Prado, I believe it's the school board that determines Hatrick's salary, a very nice one at that. "

Prado wrote on Dec 4, 2006 6:56 PM:

" A horse is a horse unless of course he's Mr. ED (Hatrick). THEN HE IS A PIG. I'd say, I wish he spent the taxpayer's money the way he spends his own but he's got so much salary and benefits he can spend what he wants in his personal life also. Don't we all wish we were that lucky. On salaries, he's just bumping his and his cronies salaries to get better retirement benefits. What a PIG. "

curious george wrote on Dec 4, 2006 6:24 PM:

" Mr. Maravetz, please expound upon Mr. Dupree's day job and the potential for conflicts. There seems to be many, not only actual conflicts, but the appearance of conflicts. "

Glenn Maravetz wrote on Dec 4, 2006 5:01 PM:

" Curious George: That was an unjustified shot at the Chairman. I've known Mr. Dupree for years. Over that time, I've observed nothing but strong, disciplined, caring, objective leadership and service to our County. We need more concerned and hard working citizens like Robert Dupree. "

John Drury wrote on Dec 4, 2006 11:30 AM:

" Fire. Hatrick. Now. This kind of spending is ridiculous, and the amount this man earns is obscene. "

George HIdy wrote on Dec 3, 2006 10:35 AM:

" WAIT!!!!! Houses pay for themselves! The school board can request all they want, because the "Builder Board" Staton, Snow, Delgaudio and Clem have voted for more homes because houses pay for themselves. So my taxes should not go up for the increase school expenses due to the new schools opening as a result of all the new homes. Sound logic, flawed due to Delgaudio's Northern Virginia Builders Association "Shaow Board". Must be where this taxpayers be dam theory has evloved. "

Loudoun Voter wrote on Dec 1, 2006 7:46 PM:

" Of course when supervisors like Lori Waters raise questions about the level of spending increases in the school budget, they're called "terrorists" by school board members! As bad as some of our supervisors are (Ms. Waters excluded) the school board is a total train wreck. Any school board member seeking higher office should quickly seek mental health help. "

$953,389,038 wrote on Dec 1, 2006 4:15 PM:

" $953,389,038 That is the number of Tax Dollars approved in the FY2007 budget for Loudoun County Public School System. 64% goes to Operating Costs, 23% goes to Capital Improvements, and most of the rest is debt service on those school bonds. With a school population of around 50,000 kids, thats about $19,000 per student being spent. If you focus on just the Op.Costs, that is still $12,000 per student. With 2 kids in LCPS, I'm benefiting from those expenditures. But also as a taxpayer, I'm helping to pay my share. We should have a well funded school system, because the indirect effects are good quality jobs for the region in the future. I don't think Loudoun wants a ignorant future population that can only work at McDonalds. But I do feel that LCPS isn't spending money wisely. There needs to be oversight to ensure that LCPS is maximizing our tax dollars and negotiating the best value on new schools, books, etc. Instead of just writing checks because the money is there... "

Poor Resident wrote on Dec 1, 2006 3:24 PM:

" Dear Bob Bosco, our local spending liberal zealot, Mr. Hatrick has accomplished a lot sure. He has accomplished draining my budget, increasing the tax rate and forcing me to have to sell my house and get out of dodge. Thanks Mr. Hatrick. I am glad the custodians will get back ups, and that 12 students can learn Mandarin and five could learn Latin music culture, and that teachers can get raises and that you can consistently get raises, while I am stuck with the same old 2 percent company raise every year no matter how well I do. Thanks. That's an accomplishment Mr. Hatrick, the quarter million dollar man, should get a trophy for. High standard of education takes good teachers. Not white boards. Not lacrosse. Not back up custodians, not free cars and free gas, not overpaid administration, not Mandarin or Latin, not PDA for teachers to track student obesity, etc. I DO BLAME the cost of education on Mr. hatrick because all you have to do is look around the country and find FAR BETTER school systems who build cheaper schools, less fluff and use more realistic approaches than here. Giving up my interest for my savings? HA, mr liberal cash cow. I have no savings anymore. It's gone to pay my mortgage after several years of school budget increases the size of California. Bob Bosco, our community spending, raise taxes zealot. One who can criticize me for putting it simply and fair. Wow. "

too much wrote on Dec 1, 2006 9:33 AM:

" Ok, So we voted for those debt bonds. And now since they went through the biggest political budgeters in the county want their other requirement met. Add to the debt an additional 22% in our current budget because we need it to keep up the high standard of education in this county! This is not balanced goverment, it is a szar approach to running an agency that cannot operate on a budget. Stop it. I cannot legitimately go to my boss and say, since I have done such a good job, next year I want you to give me 22% more. (and the next 20%, and the next 17%, and the next 21%)... I would be out on the street upon this request. Stop thinking we are a moneypit of taxpayers. The Loudoun County Public School system needs to really look at how they spend our money. If it matters so much to build many schools fancy them down and spend wisely. Do not operate in a manner that says when we run out we will just shake the piggybank into giving us more. We have reached our limit to what we can afford to give you guys. Start realizing that. But don't blame the increase on Teacher salaries, they need to make everypenny we can afford them, I would only justify any new increase to this reason alone. "

echy wrote on Dec 1, 2006 7:57 AM:

" According to the Washington Post today "About 1.8 million federal employees would receive a 1.7 percent increase in their basic pay and a 0.5 percent average increase in their locality pay next year under a plan that President Bush sent to Congress yesterday, administration officials said." Yet we are going to provide an 18% increase to our school system employees. Ridiculous. When was the last time any of us got such a large raise? My guess is never. "

Bob Bosco wrote on Dec 1, 2006 7:03 AM:

" Dear Poor Resident; It is easy to be critical of someone elses accomplishments and deeds when one does not have to step forward and be a leader. Dr. Hatrick and his staff do not just put together shocking budget proposals to make politicians an tax payers sweat. He and his staff look at what the students need to be successful in the future and meet the high standards of education which has been mandated by Richmond and Washington. I am sure Dr. Hatrick and his staff would love to present a budget proposal that would accomplish all the mandates and be lower than last years request but that is not the reality in which we live. As for the County car he drives he uses that for County School business and spends time traveling to the schools rather than sit in some "Crystal Palace" of an office without knowing what happens on a day to day basis in our schools. I have never had children to educate and do not like paying taxes anymore than the next guy, but I know the better education children recieve the less likely they will be a "Poor Resident". The way I see it is someone else sacrificed to help pay for my education and for the last 32 years it has been my responsibility to pay that back so others have the same opportunities I was given with a good education. I only wish my educational opportunities where as broad as the classes being offered today in our school system. Our society our nation is becoming more culturally mixed everyday in the influx of new citizens. By educating our children, your children about their culture maybe a greater understanding between our communities can be gained and a stronger nation will come of it. After all, when their children attend our schools they are surrounded by the "American Culture" in every class. What's wrong with classes that teach our children to understand their culture and language? "

curious george wrote on Nov 30, 2006 11:49 PM:

" When is someone going to make a HUGE deal out of the fact that School Board Chairman Robert DuPree works for the Northern Virginia Buliding Association? Just curious. "

Greg wrote on Nov 30, 2006 8:14 PM:

" I don't know what bothers me more. The outrageous budget Dr. Hatrick is submitting or the childless people complaining about paying for public education. If they hope to ever retire, they should be thankful that others have filled their void in the Ponzi scheme we call Social Security. Most Americans have inadequate retirement savings, and are dependent on Social Security and Medicare. If they think their contribution to FICA was adequate, they should think again. Most people burn thru their Social Security contributions in the first 3 yrears of retirement. As for Dr Hatrick, how does a 6% increase in students equate to a 22% increase in budget. "

Poor resident wrote on Nov 30, 2006 3:08 PM:

" Ohh Bob. Mr. Hatrick delivers the same ridiculous message every year. Loudoun could have a poor bond rating, a deficit and a horrible police force and he'd still come waltzing in with a budget that contains an increase the size of what profits are for a strong private company. We're not shooting the messenger. We're trying to blow some reality into his 500 years of service (which I could care less about and don't really find it a benefit because it's the same old song every dane year). The whole "If you don't like it here then leave" message is what we expect from liberal spending zealots. A 5 percent increase won't change a damn thing. It's not a cut. It's AN INCREASE. But Mr. Hatrick floats into the school board room this time every year with the same kind of increase. All this does is it allows school board members and Hatrick to point the figure at the supervisors for "killing the children." I, quite frankly, am tired of it. Mr. Hatrick's experience in this county hasn't given him one ounce of additional intelligence when it comes to crafting a budget. He has no idea how to say no and he has no idea what it is like to live in this county with a paycheck that is less than the median income. This guy makes $250,000 a year and drives a free car with free gas. There's no hardship in his life. We pay him to go to Builders Associations to tout his school board budget? Maybe that extra time could have been spent crafting a budget that fits the means in a county that WILL HAVE LESS REVENUE because the housing boom exploded in everyone's face. I don't mean to criticize the teachers and I take back the statement; it's not their fault and they do a great job. But Mr. Hatrick....this guy....I just don't get it. SUPERVISORS: CLAMP DOWN and limit the school budget to 5percent this year!!! PLEASE! "

Dave wrote on Nov 30, 2006 7:44 AM:

" The article stated 'Administrative, classified and auxiliary employees all receive 6 percent or greater increases in Hatrick's budget.'...6 percent?? I'm lucky if I get the 3% COLA in my salary each year. Cut the raises back to 3% and see how that affects the budget. And $730K for substitute custodians?? Come on, now, Mr. Hatrick... "

Bob Bosco wrote on Nov 30, 2006 6:35 AM:

" Once again you are trying to kill the messenger for delivering the message. Lets ask the parents of students what they are willing to fund since after all it is there children that will benefit from the increased educational opportunities. This community is very fortunate to have a dedicated public servant like Dr. Hatrick. For more years than I can remember he has served the community as a teacher, pricipal and leader. Many of those years were a struggle to make Loudoun one of the very best school systems in the State. Mr. Martin, if you don't like it here then leave. Do you think you pay your own way or did those of us who have been here longer than you subsidize your house. You blame developers for everything because you won't take responsibilty for yourself. People with families and people who want government jobs will continue to move here and they need housing. Just like car builders or anyone else in business, home builders will seek to make a profit for their investors. It's the American way. How about if you give up any interest you make for saving money at the bank so we can lower interest rates. Or how about you sell your home for what you paid for it so we can create some affordable housing. Sounds silly does it not? Then why do you expect others to not what the same thing you expect from your investments? Don't blame the cost of education on Dr. Hatrick or home builders. Look in the mirror, look in your kids bedroom and blame yourself. I don't have any kids and yet I am willing to pay whatever it cost to educate yours and to support the efforts of leaders like Dr. Hatrick who will make every effort to make sure they are prepared to compete in the global market place. "

Alby wrote on Nov 30, 2006 12:09 AM:

" Sorry. I'm broke. I can't afford any more School Bonds. "

not as poor resident wrote on Nov 29, 2006 8:52 PM:

" While I can't dispute all of "poor residents" points regarding the school budget, your statement of teachers schedule is ridiculous. Teachers are obligated to be at work either 198 or 200 days for basic classroom teachers, and department heads, specialists (music, drama, etc.) are 220 day employee's. These equate to 10 and 11 month employee's. In addition, these people work their regular workday, and then go home and grade the papers, write the tests, create the lessons. On top of that, they have to go into work on Saturday's and Sunday's to prepare their classrooms, catch up on paperwork, and match their lessons to the SOL. While there may be a lot of things both right and wrong with the school budget, people need to stop equating teachers work year to only 8 or 9 months. That just isn't so. Please stop holding these people hostage because they get 1 to 2 months off in the summer (4 or 8 weeks) and only 3 vacation days per year. They more than make up for it in their after hours work. "

Chuck Shotton wrote on Nov 29, 2006 8:44 PM:

" Educating a student in Loudoun Co. now costs more than $17,000 per student. I have to believe that for that amount of money, parents can find plenty of private sector alternatives to a public-funded bureacracy that thinks 20% per year growth is a requirement. Maybe Loudoun residents should be given the option of taking their $17,000 per student and shopping around for a better deal? A top quality education for K-12 doesn't cost taxpayers this much elsewhere in the state or nation. "

Puh-leeze wrote on Nov 29, 2006 8:18 PM:

" Here's how to solve the school's budget problem, and give some of the students a reality check: Sell parking permits to the high school students that for a fee of 15% of the value of their vehicle. How many yuppie moms and dads would be signing the checks for $5000-8000 so that their little angels can continue to drive Mercedes and Hummers to school? Quite a few, I'm willing to bet. "

Paul Martin wrote on Nov 29, 2006 5:53 PM:

" All I can say is this...and THEY wanted to put 40,000 homes in Dulles South? Haven't we learned that this growth is costing us dearly as it is a growth rate we simply cannot afford. The school system's annual request fro more money is driven by years of excessive residential growth and hordes of new families demanding top tier public education and activities We had better get the growth gorilla caged or this annual song and dance between the tax rate and the schools will continue as always. We all know by now that the taxpayers have subsidized all this growth and I think most of us are getting pretty sick of it. Yet, some of these Board members still live in a fantasy world where their developer buddies offer some land in exchange for great residential densities. These pro-developer folks belittle the rural economy which actually MAKES the County money while they cave to their buddies wishes to cram their land with houses and fatten their wallets at our expense. Look we have the houses now, and we have plenty more enroute. How about working on some commercial development, some light industry and what about promoting our tourist industry rather than wipe it out with townhouses and mindless subdivisions we can't afford. "

Gary wrote on Nov 29, 2006 5:01 PM:

" Latin culture music class? Mandarin? What in the heck is going on here? "

Poor resident wrote on Nov 29, 2006 4:48 PM:

" Oh my. When will the nonsense end? It's the school system's fault I am about to lose my home because I cannot pay the high taxes. And all so the school system can teach Mandarin to 12 students and give them lacrosse, while paying teachers who work 8 months a year more than police officers? Come on, Hatrick. You need to face reality, sir. You need to live off my paycheck, not your $250,000 a year, and see what it is like. Then maybe, just maybe, you'll get off your high horse and sumbit something reasonable. 22 percent increase. How about 5 percent! "



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