As a lifelong resident of Roanoke city and a proud graduate of Roanoke City Schools, it has been extremely gratifying to raise my family in our city and watch my children thrive in our public schools.
It has been my recent honor to serve as the president of the Roanoke City Council of PTAs/PTSAs (RCCPTA). In this role, I serve the 26 school Parent Teacher Associations and currently represent 2,144 parents, teachers, students and community members across the city of Roanoke. The RCCPTA is part of the Virginia PTA (more than 175,000 members strong), as well as the National PTA (over 3 million members).
At the most recent school board meeting (March 12), information was provided on the joint budget work group’s recent meetings. I am deeply concerned about the proposed resolution from Roanoke City Council regarding the “true-up” funds at the end of the fiscal year. As the city council proposes, the school system would no longer be guaranteed 40% of actual revenues but would instead receive 40% of budgeted revenues and must go through an application and approval process along with other city departments to receive 40% of actual revenues.
In 2012, city council adopted a school funding policy that allocated 40% of annual local tax revenues to the school system. The initial policy included two budget line items that the schools would pay back to the city, debt services and stormwater management. In the past 14 years, the number of line items has increased to six, with the school system budgeting approximately $16.43 million to be paid back to the city of Roanoke during the current 2023-2024 budget cycle.
The 40% figure is what is most publicly recognized and what most taxpayers expect from the Roanoke City Council. However, the more than $16 million the city invoices the school system leaves the schools with far less than the expected 40% allocation. School officials have stated the actual percentage is closer to 32%.
It is essential to recognize that funding education is not merely an expense, but an investment in our collective future. Research consistently demonstrates the long-term benefits of a well-funded education system, from higher academic achievement and increased earning potential to improved health outcomes and reduced crime rates. By prioritizing education, we lay the foundation for a more prosperous and equitable society for generations to come.
Furthermore, as residents and taxpayers, we have a responsibility to advocate for the well-being of our children and the future of our community. We must hold our elected officials accountable and demand that they prioritize education in their budgetary decisions. We cannot afford to compromise on the education of our youth, for they are the future leaders, innovators, and stewards of our city. I would also ask for full transparency regarding the true funding formula, including MOUs and reimbursements. If the promoted rate is 40%, then the schools should receive 40%.
In closing, I urge the city of Roanoke and its leaders to reconsider any proposals that would decrease education funding. I urge you to consider the achievements and growth that Roanoke City Public Schools has made in the past four years. I urge you to consider that Roanoke City Public Schools has been an excellent steward of taxpayer dollars and has committed to transparency of their expenditures. Also at the March 12 meeting, the school board approved the school division’s 2024-2025 capital development initiative, which is a comprehensive 10-year list of capital improvements and maintenance projects, ranked by an equity scorecard. RCPS is a leader in teacher compensation, which has led to more favorable retention and recruitment rates, and the 2024-2025 budget, approved on March 12, includes an additional 3.5% raise. I urge the City of Roanoke to consider the damage this loss of guaranteed funding would inflict on the achievements of our school system, the education of our children, and the future of the city of Roanoke.
Jessica Blandy is president of the Roanoke City Council of PTAs/PTSAs.
