AT A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HELD ON THE 30th DAY OF APRIL, TWO THOUSAND AND SEVEN AT SEVEN O'CLOCK P.M. AT THE RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

Present	Present	Absent
Robert P Anderson, Chairman Ronald L. Frazier, V-Chm S. Bryant Lee Roger A Welch Edward D. Wayland	John McCarthy, Co. Adm. Diane Bruce, Clerk	None

Chairman Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:00 o'clock p.m. and announced that the purpose of the meeting was to conduct a public hearing on the FY08 School Board Budget.

FY08 School Board Budget Public Hearing:

Dr. Robert Chappell, Superintendent of Schools, made opening remarks regarding the proposed budget. The $12,281,902 budget, which reflects a 4.68% increase in the amount of $548,910 over the FY07 budget, was approved by the School Board on March 27, 2007. State, federal and other revenues have increased by $51,942. The requested increase in the local share of $494,968 represents a 6.2% increase over FY07.

Dr. Chappell explained that 91% of the proposed increase will support the proposed 4.5% + step increases in salaries. Among other things, the increase will fund the proposed salary increases in the amount $342,228, health insurance premiums in the amount of $166,475 and mandated Virginia Retirement System premium increases in the amount of $96,266. (Details of the FY08 budget are filed with the papers of the meeting.)

The county funds approximately 69% of the school budget with revenues from other sources funding the balance. Dr. Chappell reminded the Board and citizens that the Local Composite Index (LCI) does not consider land use values; therefore reimbursements for education from the state are much less than for counties that do not have a use-value system of taxation. Further, he added that continued efforts will be pursued in the General Assembly with "Cost of Competing" legislation.

Chairman Anderson called upon members of the School Board for their comments. Ken Marlor, Chairman, Wesley Mills, Aline Johnson, Rosa Crocker and Meredith Gorfein all commented on the successes of the students (73% of graduates went on to higher education), the needs of the system and parity of salaries for teachers, as measured by surrounding jurisdictions and other small school systems. They each urged the Supervisors to fully fund the proposed FY08 budget as presented.

Chairman Anderson opened the public hearing at 7:45 o'clock p.m. and called for comments from the public.

Speaking in opposition to raising taxes to support the proposed budget and calling for no more than "level" funding were the following persons: Bill Paolicelli, Tom Junk, Dan Mulcahy, Roger Cordani, Jean Lillard, Bernie Mills, Rick Wood, Monira Rifaat, Brenda Mieth, Bill Crassman and Carolyn Leake. Portions of a letter from Mary Wiley were read into the record. These speakers suggested reduction in the amount of the salary increases, certain cuts in staffing, abolishing certain positions (coaches, aides, administration) and combining other positions, elimination of teacher planning periods, reduction in sports programs and separate coaches, changes in zoning provisions to allow for more houses and less expensive housing opportunities and providing tax relief for certain classes of residents. Several speakers suggested a thorough analysis of future budgets by a third party. Concerted efforts to change the LCI formula was discussed and a "March on Richmond" was suggested. All of these speakers recognized the successes of the students and supported the importance of an outstanding education.

Speaking in support of fully funding the proposed budget as submitted were the following persons: Denise Chandler, Bette Mahoney, Bill Dietel, Mike Mahoney, Grey Armistead, Ron Makela, Sherry Pace, Richard Payne, Camille Racer, Rich Hogan, Kathryn Treanor, Beverly Hunter, Cindy Padgett, Henry Gorfein, Larry Sherertz, Jan Makela, Jimmy Deal and Patricia Metcalfe. Letters of support from the Kitchen Family, Ellen Adams, Jeff and Teresa Light, Krista Hale, Carol Lucking and Susan Jones were read into the record. These speakers urged the Supervisors to fully fund the budget and stressed the importance of quality education. They commented that the increase in taxes is worth the expenditure; that there are legions of volunteers who spend hundreds of hours helping students and programs and raising significant funds for programs that are well attended and very successful but not funded by the locality. Mention was made of state championships and other successes in competitive events in numerous academic, technology and music programs. Emphasis was made on how important it is to provide the best possible education for today's students who will be living in a competitive and quickly changing world made increasingly smaller by technology.

It was suggested that the Superintendent, who was commended for his tireless efforts, involve some of the critics

Joe Reinboldt, Bobby Carter, and Forrest Wharton urged the Supervisors to find a way for more funding without raising taxes. Suggestions made by them and a number of the speakers referenced above included (1) March on Richmond to have the LCI formula changed; (2) change the 25 acres zoning requirements; (3) abolish Land-Use Taxation; (4) abolish or reduce benefits for some tax incentive programs; (5) create a Task Force to study the programs that exempt property from taxes; (6) provide tax cuts for elderly and poor; (7) start a letter-writing campaign to representatives in Richmond and (8) invite our State Senator and Delegate to attend a forum to help them understand the severity of the county's problems.

There being no other comments, Chairman Anderson closed the public hearing at 9:40 o'clock p.m.

Mr. Wayland made a motion to cancel the work session previously scheduled for May 3, 2007. Mr. Lee seconded the motion. Following considerable discussion, the motion failed by majority vote. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Wayland and Lee. NAY: Frazier, Welch and Anderson.

The Chairman and several Board members each commented that the Supervisors cannot control the School Board budget by cutting positions or programs; that the Supervisors can only appropriate funds for that budget.

There being no further business, the meeting recessed at 10:00 o'clock p.m. and will reconvene on May 3, 2007 at the Rappahannock County High School at the conclusion of the Band Concert or as soon after 8:00 o'clock p.m. as possible.

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Robert P. Anderson, Chairman