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The proposed budget cuts to public education by Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) will permanently and immeasurably damage the quality of education offered to the children of Fairfax County. Thus far known as a "world-class" system of education, Fairfax County Public Schools cannot possibly maintain this distinction while the leaders of the commonwealth offer a cuts-only approach to the education budget.

Last weekend, the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates released versions of McDonnell's proposed bill that sting somewhat less, but remain woefully inadequate. The House version will result in an estimated 24,000 layoffs in schools across the commonwealth. The Senate version will result in nearly 16,000 layoffs. These are in addition to the pending job cuts caused by former Gov. Tim Kaine's (D) decision to use temporary federal money as a bandage to his education spending cuts. Without that money this year, an additional 1,326 jobs could be lost. Worse yet, there is no way to accurately predict the full extent of the damage caused by these job losses -- drastic, long-term reductions in both the quantity and quality of programs for our children.

Dennis Wilson, an FCPS education support professional working in school maintenance, would find as many as 29 of his colleagues gone. Who will be there to maintain a safe, secure and clean building? Will repairs be made in a timely fashion? Who will open and close the building for the Scouts or PTA?

Speaking of investments, the school division has spent millions on technological advances and tools for the classroom. These cuts mean that there will be fewer professionals working to provide support, education and maintenance of these systems. Will the citizens of Fairfax who invested in the construction of these buildings and in this technology see their investment deteriorate, and therefore lose all vestige of the pride that currently exists?

Another item on the chopping block is elementary strings and band. The joy in the faces of children as they learn to create and perform music is now devalued as an unnecessary accessory to education. There are 146 music-related positions targeted for extinction, which means as many as 25,000 children may not be making music next year if these draconian cuts go forward.

Even if the funding were restored for the future, we know from experience that it takes 13 or more years to re-establish program enrollment. How does one truly quantify the loss to our community when our internationally renowned music program gets crushed at the most fundamental level?

Our state legislators take a problem that affects real children, real careers and real lives and reduce it to a numbers game of "x" dollars per student per year. In these terms, the children are the true losers in this battle. The legislators must keep the promise that Virginia made when it adopted a constitution that requires the state to "ensure that an educational program of high quality is established and maintained" for all children.

Michael Hairston, acting president, Fairfax Education Association