Roanoke teachers react to school funding cuts

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - The City of Roanoke is making a change to how it funds its public schools.

The 4-to-1 vote Tuesday approved a policy change to give less tax revenue back to Roanoke City Public Schools.

This means the city will still cover the nearly $107 million school budget, but it will only offer 34 percent of any additional tax revenue back to the school system.

“It’s not our goal here to deprive children of an education, but to provide what we can within our means,” Peter Volosin said. “It’s hugely unfortunate. I don’t like to be in this situation. I don’t think anybody on this council likes to be in this situation.”

Evelyn Powers was once the city’s treasurer and said a move this drastic would not have happened if it wasn’t necessary.

“We have to raise real estate taxes higher. We maybe even have to raise personal property taxes, and I’m here to tell you our citizens cannot afford that. This is so heartbreaking to have to go through this,” she said.

RCPS superintendent Dr. Verletta White said the policy has the potential to reduce the city’s investment in public education by 35 million over the next five years.

“That is not a small adjustment. That is a fundamental shift, and our students and our teachers and our community will feel it, and we are sensitive to the fact,” Dr. White said.

The decision to change the policy happened before the public was able to comment, but when they had the opportunity to speak during the later session they made their thoughts about the change clear.

“You invite people to come get awards, parents come to get awards for their kids, but they’re not coming to see you defund education,” one teacher said.

“Their money is there, and if you as leaders are not willing to put it up, if that’s too painful, then might I suggest instead that you cut the $6,000 a month lobbyists for the casino that is wildly unpopular,” another teacher said.

Another teacher added, “In 22 years of public school service, I have yet to see politicians who vote to fund schools properly for students and staff to be successful.”

Mayor Cobb said the policy would be reviewed yearly and adjustments could be made.