Budget cuts by the Bath County school board might mean the end of all preschool programs

Bath County, Virginia – The school board was left to consider eliminating all pre-school programs after the Board of Supervisors announced significant budget cuts for the schools.

The Board of Supervisors for Bath County voted to reduce the school board’s funding by $400,000.
The Board is hesitating to declare all preschool programs at the schools closed.

“It’s kind of sad. Because our kids are our future,” said parent Michelle Dressler. She planned to enroll her four-year-old son in Pre-K.

According to Dressler, this choice will harm youth education.

“That’s not fair to our little ones that struggle. And I know many families that have kids with disabilities and everything. And it’s putting our hope on them kids for their future,” said Dressler.

According to Superintendent Dr. Rick Bolling, the only reduction made to the schools up until a month ago was giving the county control over maintenance and transportation.

However, the board of supervisors made additional cuts once the county received $251,000 in funds from the Commonwealth thereafter.

“Preschool is something you’re not required to offer. And it is something that the vast majority of that cost comes from our locality,” said Bolling.

Preschool programs and two of the three nursing positions are the two primary items that the school board is thinking of eliminating.

“When you combine the preschool, the two nursing positions, the saving on the director, and a little few pennies here or there and different things. That’s how we got to the 400,000,” said Bolling.

Bolling stated that since Pre-K costs about $200,000, removing it might be the simplest way to stay within the budget. He is in favor of keeping at least one.

“I just think that education is an investment,” said Bolling. “I think if we have a funding problem we need to look at ways to bring revenue into the county, not just continuing to have conversations about cutting.”

On Tuesday, the School Board will continue its conversation over budget cuts.