Albemarle schools are facing a $1.2 million budget shortfall. Monday, the Albemarle County School Board made its pitch to the Board of Supervisors about why they need the money.
The budget currently stands at $156 million, but there is a $1.2 million shortfall at this point.
Albemarle supervisors could bump the real estate tax rate up to help fund the shortfall. The .04 cent jump would bring in another $607,000 during the fiscal year 2013-2014.
Steve Koleszar, chair of the Albemarle County School Board, defended the increase Monday, saying the shortfall would mean increased class sizes as well as program and staff cuts within Albemarle Schools.
"85 percent of our budget is personnel, so if we're going to cut it will probably be some teachers. We don't want to do that, but if it's necessary, we'll do it," said Koleszar.
The public can voice their opinions on the budget during a public hearing on March 27. The board is set to adopt the budget and set the tax rate on April 3.
