City urged to find money for schools

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - Virginia Beach residents might have to dig into their pockets to help cover a nearly $40 million school budget deficit.

Superintendent Dr. James Merrill proposed cutting some teaching positions, transportation to academies, summer school offerings, as well as middle school and Junior Varsity sports.

Wednesday, Mayor Will Sessoms said he will do everything in his power to help maintain the quality of education in Virginia Beach Schools. He said this could possibly include a property tax increase.

Virginia Beach Education Association President Dominic Melito said he would support that proposal in place of the cuts the superintendent suggested Tuesday night. Melito said the schools have bailed the city out in the past.

"...three years in a row the school system saved up money and the city council said well we're taking your savings and it is over $40 million, so in essence the money that was taken would account for our current shortfall," Melito said.

"Those funds...that the schools had were city funds, as far as I'm concerned for the use of the entire city," Sessoms said.

Melito and teachers want the city and state to step up for schools. Wednesday afternoon, they called local and state officials asking for more money.

Many 10 On Your Side viewers asked about lottery money for education.

Lottery officials said lottery funds only make up eight percent of the what Virginia spends on schools.

Here's a look at the top five shares of lottery payments to schools across the state:

Virginia Beach is at the top of the list, having received more than $176 million since 1999. Next, Prince William and Fairfax Counties. Norfolk and Newport News take the fourth and fifth spots.