Charlottesville United for Public Education’s Statement in Support of Increased Funding for Charlottesville Schools

February 6, 2024 — As we enter the decision stages of the budget season for the City of Charlottesville and Charlottesville City Schools (CCS), Charlottesville United for Public Education (CUPE) wishes to highlight the pivotal role that our public schools play in shaping the lives of our children and the future of our community. Funding is one key mechanism used to underscore this role.

This is a moment of significant transition for our public schools. Charlottesville High School is looking for a new principal. Buford is transitioning into Charlottesville Middle School, and our elementary schools expanding to 5th grade. There is a real probability that a comprehensive Early Childhood Education Center will actualize at Walker. Meanwhile, more and more students are taking the opportunity to engage with our education system: projections indicate steadily rising enrollment with increases in students who are identified as English Language Learners. All of this while, nationwide and here at home, schools are working to overcome pandemic learning setbacks and address heightened mental health concerns.

CUPE asserts that this is a moment when our schools, our teachers, and our children need MORE.

CUPE recognizes and appreciates recent investments by the City, such as funding for the Buford renovation and the allocation of $30 million in the Capital Improvement Program for FY 26 and 27 to transition Walker Upper Elementary to a Pre-K Center. However, the reality of a shortfall in state funding remains, and we are in full support of any and all efforts at the state and local level to bridge the gap.

We commend City Council and the community for the support that they’ve shown, and we urge continued backing by fully funding the CCS budget of approximately $67 million and the additional $12 million request. This would align our local investment more closely with comparable municipalities, raising the bar for our community and our schools at a critical moment.

The surge of interest in our schools during the push for Buford renovation funding and again with the CHS challenges last fall lit the fire for ongoing action. But it cannot stop there. Robust, meaningful, sustained engagement and investment in all CCS schools can be the change that our students and community need and deserve.

Here is the action alert we sent out (or access it here):

City Council and School Board Joint Budget Session: Wednesday, February 7, 5pm, Walker Upper Elementary

It is anticipated that public comment will start approximately 6:45. You can speak in person or register in advance to make remarks via Zoom.

Talk about your lived experiences as a parent, caregiver, student, teacher, or anyone in Charlottesville who agrees that a solid, functioning, and thriving community is one that invests in its children through the public school system.

For example, are teacher or substitute shortages impacting your child's class? Talk about how increased funding could help alleviate those disruptions.

Want to see more field trip, guest speaker and club opportunities in our schools? Ask that more funding be allocated for these important learning and enrichment opportunities.

Feel free to use our statement as seed language, but consider sharing your specific experience and hopes for how additional investment would benefit our students and schools.

To send comments to City Council, email council@charlottesville.gov

To send comments to the School Board, email schoolboard@charlottesvilleschools.org