Answers to Your Questions about the District's Budget

Dear VPS Staff, Parents and Community Members,

News stories in the media as well as other information distributed in the last several weeks have generated a high level of interest in the district’s budget for 2009-10. We have received many questions and have decided to address them in a “Did You Know?” format on our Budget Facts web page (http://www.vansd.org/budget_facts).

Currently, you can find answers to the following questions:
- Is it true that teachers will see a wage increase in 2009-10 in spite of the legislature suspending the I-732 cost of living adjustment?
- Is it true that any wage concession would have a negative impact on those employees close to retirement?
- Is it true that the loss of I-728 funding will increase class size averages and work load for teachers?
- Is it true that the district has failed to collect $2.2 million in levy resources?
- Is it true that the district is considering the use of new Title I funds from the federal economic stimulus to increase its financial reserves?

We will continue posting questions and answers on topics of interest throughout the budget development process. We hope you find this information helpful.