Dranesville Supervisor Calls Proposed Schools $$$ Increase "Unrealistic"

Dranesville Supervisor John Foust said he thinks a nine percent increase in the county schools budget "is unrealistic."

Superintendent Jack Dale a proposal 9 percent larger than the budget for 2012.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has final approval of the schools budget.The schools budget is 53 percent of the county's general fund.

"It unrealistic to expect a nine percent increase," Foust said Friday. "We have to increase the schools budget with a cost of living" increase he said.

He added that County Executive Tony Griffin had informally talked about perhaps a five percent increase."That's kind of high, but we'll start at the point."

Foust added that Dale "has to figure out how to accomplish the same level of services with less than a nine percent increase."

Next step for the school budget: Public hearings. Then the school board will vote on a budget which will then go to the board of supervisors which has final approval.