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Trash threatens Charles City teachers’ jobs, school programs

Posted at 5:30 PM, Mar 07, 2014
and last updated 2014-03-07 23:39:56-05

CHARLES CITY COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) – Teachers’ jobs and school programs are on the line at a school board meeting in Charles City County Friday night.

The board met Friday night to try to figure out how to cut thousands of dollars from its budget.

County supervisors blame the shortfall on Waste Management not dumping large quantities of trash into its landfill in order to avoid paying the county.

As a result, leaders said they have to make up for that revenue and wants over $400,000 from the school district.

The board presented it's first draft of possible cuts to hundreds of Charles City parents and residents Friday night.

The cuts included teaching positions, aides, sports, and extra curricular activities.

"Taking away sports would be a terrible act in our school system. Sports do not build character. They rebuild it," said one student on the girls basketball team.

No final decision was made by the board, but members used the time to hear from the people of Charles City County.

"My children have had the privilege to encounter and work with some of the most amazing teachers in this county and they deserve that," said one parent.

The board plans to meet again on March 14th for another budget session.

That means students could lose sports program, campus improvements and teachers could even lose their jobs.

Check back with WTVR.com and watch CBS 6 News at 11 p.m. for updates on this story from Chelsea Rarrick.