Budget Updates

Friends and neighbors:
 
We are in the middle of our month's long budget review process as we work towards our Fiscal Year 2015 budget.  Loudoun's proposed 2015 operating budget sits right at $2 billion. This year, more than the past two, there has been a lot of misinformation about the budget, especially when it comes to funding schools. Let me be clear, I support our public schools. I firmly believe in the value of a strong education for all of our citizens. There is no doubt in my mind that LCPS will receive a substantial increase in their budget next year.  There are over 30 Departments in Loudoun with funding requirements and the Board is holding numerous work sessions to work through all of those competing requirements.  LCPS will likely receive funds that will cover all student growth and new schools, raises for teachers, and other priorities.  It is unlikely though that the entire $108 million increase requested by the Superintendent will be funded but a substantial portion of it will.  In the end, the School Board will take this appropriation and decide which of their requests are their top priorities.
 
I commit to do my best to deliver a prudent budget that meets the needs of our citizens, while striving to keep the tax burden low. For more information about the budget process, please visit here: http://www.loudoun.gov/budget.
 
 
Sincerely,
 
Ralph's