
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 28, 1991                   TAG: 9103280376
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Medium

TEACHERS' PAY FROZEN IN RADFORD

Next year's raises for teachers and other city school system employees officially fell victim to tight state and local finances Wednesday as the School Board voted to freeze all salaries at present levels.

The unanimous vote went along with an informal City Council poll earlier this month to hold the line on Radford's share of the school budget.

"The understanding there is that there will be no step increases," board Chairman John McPhail said in clarifying the board's action.

In December, the board unanimously approved a budget that included 3.5 percent salary increases for school system employees. Current city teachers' salaries range from $23,606 for those with a bachelor's degree and no experience to $39,509 for those with a master's degree in their teaching area plus 20 years of experience.

Superintendent Michael Wright said next year's total budget of $7,039,910 actually represents a net decrease of nearly $5,000 from this year's budget.

The board also applied $57,300 in previously undesignated funds to cover the city's share of increased health insurance premiums for full-time school system employees. The increase, to almost $1,615 a month for each employee, will bring school system employees' benefits in line with those of other city workers.

The school system now pays $1,100 a month as its share of each participating full-time employee's health insurance premium. Radford schools employ 170 full-time workers.

"With these motions, we're giving Dr. Wright the authority to make the budget adjustments," McPhail said after the votes.

City Council has informally agreed to give the school system $3,397,835 as its share of the 1991-92 school budget, plus $85,000 the school system did not spend last year to cover needed capital improvements.

Wright said not giving raises resulted in a $6,223 "net reduction in receipts" from an anticipated $91,531 Virginia Retirement System refund, because the refund formula was based on total salaries.

by CNB