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Budget
swelled 70
percent in
past 15 years
This is the first in a two-part series examining education funding in Rappahannixk.
By Matt Pki.kky
l<u|>pithiimux k Ncwm SlulV Writer
Rappahannock's education budget swelled 70 percent over the past fifteen years, with a large portion of the increase falling on the shoulders of local taxpayers.
A review of past budgets by 'Hie Rappahannock News found that the 2007-2008 school year budget is $5,015,790 larger than the budget for 1992-1998, adjusting for inflation. And the county share of the budget - paid for by local tax dollars - rose $4,252,035, or 105 percent, between 1992 and 2007, out pacing the total budget's growth. I-ocal dollars now make up 69 percent of the education budget. In 1992 the county paid for only 57 percent of the budget.
And the budget increases have lieen mirrond by an increase in taxes. The county will collect 52 percent more in real estate taxes this fiscal year than it did in 2005.
Of the nearly $13 million Rappahannock collect* in local tax revenue, $8,288,389, or 64 percent, was put toward education this year.
Unlike county spending, federal and state funding have grown proportionally with the education budget, each rising by about 73 jierccnt over the past 15 years.
Next year, however, state funds are
Rappahannock News
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Washington. Va. 22747
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