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Residents urge Waynesboro board to oppose proposed city funding 'cap' for schools
Summary
Multiple residents and teachers told the Waynesboro School Board that a proposed city funding cap—described by commenters as effectively a cut—would harm students and programs; board members thanked speakers and encouraged broader community engagement.
During the public-comment portion of Tuesday’s meeting, multiple residents and a Waynesboro High School teacher urged the school board to resist a proposed funding cap under discussion at the city council.
Laura Bridal (speaker 3), who identified herself as a Waynesboro resident, Waynesboro High teacher and an officer of the Waynesboro Education Association, said community members who spoke to city council asked elected officials to 'meet the funding formula alone' and warned that a cap would function as a cut. “They can try to make it sound less harmful by calling it a cap, but you know and I know that a cap is a cut,” Bridal said.
Adam Seippel (speaker 11), who said he lives in Queensborough, told board members: “My cap says protect what you love... I encourage you tonight to not just protect what you love as elected officials, but also protect what they love.” Tom Manibal (speaker 10), identifying himself as a taxpayer, urged the board not to accept any agreement that includes a cap, saying the city’s revenue growth has historically outpaced a 3% limit and that agreeing to a cap would limit the school division’s ability to keep pace with inflation and enrollment growth.
Board members thanked speakers for coming and urged citizens, including those not employed by the schools, to make their views known to city council. A number of board members said they had been meeting with council members and constituents about the funding formula and expressed appreciation for the turnout at a city council meeting the previous night.
What this means: The board cannot override city council’s budget decisions but can continue public advocacy and partnership; the comments signal community mobilization around a formula change being discussed by the city.
