Embroiled in a battle with Charlottesville over $2.6 million in education funds, Albemarle County school officials are poised to decide this month whether to share the money with the city or fight for all of it in the General Assembly.
Charlottesville and Albemarle officials have been debating since late last year which government is rightful owner of the funds. While the two school divisions appear closer than ever to a compromise in which the money would be used for both city and county students, county School Board Chairman Ronnie Price Sr. said that if a deal isn’t reached soon, his board would fight for all of the money at the state level.
Virtual classes and childcare services are among the ideas that have been tossed around as ways to share the funds, Price said, as well as upgrades to the Charlottesville Albemarle Technical Education Center, creation of a virtual high school for Charlottesville and Albemarle students and additional professional development services for city and county school employees.
But as the start of the General Assembly session in January draws near, Albemarle officials are voicing a sense of urgency to either reach a compromise with the city or take the battle to the state legislature.
Del. Rob Bell, R-Albemarle, introduced an unsuccessful budget amendment during the last General Assembly session that would have had the state divert about $2.6 million in education funds from Charlottesville to Albemarle to account for a city-county revenue sharing agreement.
The agreement, signed in the 1980s to prevent the city from annexing valuable county land, has Albemarle giving Charlottesville money each year, including about $18 million this year. County officials contend that the approximately $18 million should be counted toward Charlottesville’s wealth, which would divert about $2.6 million from Charlottesville to Albemarle because the state gives wealthier localities less education funding.
Bell said he would likely submit the amendment again in the upcoming General Assembly session, unless Albemarle officials ask him not to.
Albemarle Supervisor Dennis S. Rooker told Price last week that it’s ultimately up to Albemarle school leaders to decide whether the division is sufficiently satisfied with city-county collaboration efforts to back away from the Bell amendment.
Price said Albemarle School Board members are seeking a written agreement with the city.
Charlottesville School Board member Llezelle Dugger has said that she’s for the idea of considering a compromise and would favor a written agreement outlining how the money would be spent.
Price, however, says the pressure rests with the Charlottesville City Council, because it holds the city’s purse strings.
Charlottesville Mayor Dave Norris said last month: “It’s not about adherence to a specific dollar figure,” adding that the aim is to save money and benefit children from both school systems, while hopefully overcoming divisiveness between the two localities.
Norris could not be reached for comment late last week.
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