Trejbal: Schools face financial pain
Montgomery schools’ $6.2 million deficit
By Christian Trejbal
Trejbal is a Roanoke Times editorial writer. He is based in the New River Valley.
Montgomery County schools recently received some good news. At least, it was good news in the sense that a looming fiscal catastrophe will be slightly less catastrophic.
Last month, the school board adopted a preliminary budget for county residents to discuss. After a public hearing scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday at the county government building in Christiansburg, the school board will make any adjustments and then forward a budget request to the board of supervisors.
What makes the preliminary budget notable this year is just how bleak it is. It includes a $6.2 million shortfall that must be closed with new revenue, which is not likely forthcoming, or cuts.
February 5, 2012 - 9:24 AM
If the county would leave the Blacksburg Middle School in the old Christiansburg High/Middle School, we would have money. They seem to be doing ok there. I believe a lot of students will travel as far to get to the new Blacksburg Middle School as they do now going to school in Christiansburg.
Since that didn’t happen, I do hope the effort and money that has been put into the school in Christiansburg,to improve it for use as Blacksburg Middle School, won’t be wasted. I think it could be used for any number of enterprises that could pay the county for its use. And, therefore, save the taxpayers some hard earned money.