Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 1 · column 7 of 9 · from the scan, no model involved
associations and the Virginia Education Association.
With the lowest true tax rate in the state, Rappahannock County does have the ability to support a tax increase to fund education needs, according to Sherertz. He noted that the next lowest tax rate in Virginia is almost double what Rappahannock’s is. “So there’s probably some room there if it’s necessary but I’m not at all sure it will be.”
First, said Sherertz, the 1980-81 budget approved by the State Department of Education calls for a 35 percent increase to the county in basic aid. He acknowledged that the state department’s proposal has not yet been approved by the General Assembly and is a long way away from the Governor’s budget proposal which entails an increase of only 5 per cent for Rappahannock.
Sherertz noted, however, that the Assembly “found” S60 million last week to add to basic aid for education. “Let’s hope they find more,” he added.
Even without increased revenue from the state, Rappahannock should be able to fund its schools at a higher level without raising property taxes, Sherertz continued. The last financial audit “shows an excess of $200,000 available for appropriation.” he stated.
The county audit has shown budget surpluses of the same magnitude for the past several years, Sherertz said. If the requests from the teachers are funded in foil, he said, only half this unappropriated surplus accumulated by the supervisors will be exhausted. “So it’s perfectly conceivable
89.8%