Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 1, 1990 TAG: 9005010325
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: BEDFORD/FRANKLIN
SOURCE: SHARON HODGE SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: ROCKY MOUNT LENGTH: Medium
Union Hall District Supervisor J. Michael Brooks - concerned about the disparity in salaries for the county's 109 school bus drivers - adamantly opposed the $27.8 million spending plan. He said he would not give his approval until he saw a plan for eliminating inequities in the six-step pay scale.
Last month, bus drivers brought their grievances about the pay scale structure to the Board of Supervisors. Monday, Chairman Wayne Angell reminded the board that supervisors couldn't dictate to the School Board how funds were to be spent. But several board members said they did want to see some effort toward making the scale uniform.
Last week, County Administrator Richard Huff met with School Superintendent Len Gereau and requested a "conceptual proposal" for the salary adjustment. Monday, Gereau said he had not presented a plan to the School Board.
His statement was met with a round of negative comments from the room filled with school bus drivers. Gereau said he would recommend that $65,000 be applied to the bottom five salary steps.
According to Gereau, $200,000 would be needed to make all six pay levels comparable with regional averages.
The money would come from two sources, he said. About $40,000 would come from Appalachian Power Co. in the form of lower-than-expected electricity costs. The school had budgeted for a 5 percent increase in utility costs, but a 2.6 percent decrease now is expected, Huff said.
The remaining $25,000 will be shuffled from computer funds, Gereau told the board.
Although Gills Creek District Supervisor Charles Ellis described the $65,000 allotment as a "major step in the right direction," Brooks wanted more evidence and not "a bunch of promises."
The discussion evolved into an argument between Brooks and Gereau over the board's authority. Brooks urged the other supervisors to postpone action on the school budget.
County Attorney B.J. Jefferson advised that the county was facing a May 1 deadline to approve the school expenses for next year. In response to questions asked by Ellis, Gereau said he would work on progressive plans for salary adjustments over the next couple years. He added that it's not possible to rectify the wide range of salaries in one year.
Gereau also stated that while the salaries of the five lower levels are lower than what is paid in other areas, Franklin County bus drivers receive benefits not available in surrounding jurisdictions. The $65,000 addition to the bus drivers' wages will be shared by about 50 employees, he said.
by CNB