Principi Requests Joint Meeting for School Budget

From Frank Principi's office: 

Woodbridge District Supervisor Frank J. Principi (D) has asked for a joint work session between thePrince William County School Board and the Board of Supervisors prior to adoption of the School budget on March 21.  

The work session will give board members the opportunity to understand the challenges they each face, receive accurate data, and an opportunity to work together to develop a plan to ensure Prince William County students get a “World Class Education.”

Prince William County is the ninth wealthiest county in the United States, has an unemployment rate of 4.7 percent and the lowest tax burden of surrounding counties.    

It also has the highest student per classroom teacher ratio in the region, the average teacher’s salary is next to the lowest in the area, and it spends the least per pupil in the area. Supervisor Principi says he has asked for this meeting because, “I have received 100s of emails and phone calls from teachers and parents requesting additional funding for the schools and I continue toget conflicting information and data. I am tired of everyone playing the blame game. It is time to bring all the parties together in a public meeting to discuss the issues.    

Our school populationcontinues to grow and we have to find a way to support our teachers and our children. We can’t afford to play politics with their future.”

Supervisor Principi’s request went out to fellow Board members on Wednesday afternoon.