Council, FCCPS Board Continue Debate Over City Surplus

The debate between the Falls Church City Public Schools Board and city council over a surplus from fiscal year 2012 continues with no clear resolution.

The school board wants $500,000 of the city’s more than $3 million revenue surplus to go toward upgrading technology within the schools. During a 7 a.m. meeting Monday, school board member Greg Rasnake said instead of splitting the money three ways between the city, residents and schools, the money should be used to buy things needed that would help all parties.

“Why are we entertaining this when we know there are needs in the city and schools,” Rasnake said during Monday’s morning school board meeting. “I know the city has a grocery list of things they need done.”

However, a majority of the school board agreed Monday morning that a three-way split of the FY 12 surplus would be a good thing. The question at the meeting was how would the funds be separated, and whether they would send a check to the taxpayers or offset city tax bills, thus lowering what each taxpayer would owe. Newly-elected councilmen Dave Tarter and Phil Duncan attended the morning meeting, taking notes and answering what they could.

Joan Wodiska said she was disappointed with the lack of transparency city council has showed. The school board member said she is also disappointed with the lack of fidelity exhibited by the council during their process this year. Wodiska said she is open to a logical three-way split but wants the city to do their part to invest in the school system as the board did for the city in 2008 when the FCCPS board gave the city a check to bail them out of a financial bind.

“Now we’re in a situation where the city is doing better and they’re not reaching back to help us now,” Wodiska said. “My advice is for city council to get a plan and stick to it. We have a plan: Fund it.”

During council’s work session Monday night, council member Ira Kaylin argued that the school system’s fund balance increased eight of the last 11 years.

“I don’t see why taxpayers have to pick up the $500,000 when the school system’s fund balance has increased over the years,” Kaylin said.

Tarter said he sees this squabble over funding for technology in the schools as something that will continue until a resolution is reached.

“I’ve been on council for 60 days and we’re already having a bruising fight about something that can become a recurring problem,” Tarter said.

As the debate continues, Vice Mayor Dave Snyder said the issue that started with a recommendation has divided the city. He said the issue isn’t getting solved and the parties involved in the debate need to come to the table.

“This fight’s got to end,” he said.

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