Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 27, 1993 TAG: 9304270296
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
And there were requests for Roanoke City Council to keep providing funds for two cultural centers: Center in the Square and the Harrison Museum of African American Culture.
For two hours, two dozen speakers pleaded with council for more money for a variety of programs and services.
Council listened quietly as the audience of 200 applauded repeatedly, particularly when teachers and PTA leaders spoke about schools.
When the hearing on the city's proposed $129.7 million budget was over, Mayor David Bowers promised the crowd that their requests would be considered.
But he acknowledged that council will be hard pressed to find more money for schools and other services, especially when some council members have raised the possibility of a cut in the city's real estate tax rate.
"I'd like to do more than tread water. But given the economy we are in, we might be doing good to be just where we are. We haven't had to cut services or lay off people," Bowers said.
Bowers said he doubts that many property owners want to pay higher taxes in the current economic climate, although one woman said she was willing to do that if the money was used for schools.
The Child Health Investment Partnership, a program for providing medical care for poor children that has gained national recognition, has requested $158,000 from the city.
Deborah Yates, who has a child in the CHIP program, and Dr. Jeff Clark, CHIP's chairman, made impassioned pleas for funding.
City Manager Bob Herbert said the city is considering CHIP's request and may fund part of it in a special budget category for community service agencies.
Herbert's budget includes $150,000 for Center in the Square and $85,000 for the Harrison Museum, the same amounts they received this year.
Warner Dalhouse, chairman of the Center in the Square, and Audrey Wheaton, a Harrison Museum board member, urged council to continue providing money for the facilities.
The sharpest attack and criticism came during a request by teachers and PTA leaders for higher teacher pay, smaller class sizes and guidance counselors in elementary schools.
The proposed $69.8 million school budget is up $2 million, or 3 percent. It includes an average pay raise of 4.1 percent for teachers, although more than 250 would receive only 2 percent.
Herbert blamed the school-funding problem on the state. The city will provide $1.1 million more in local tax funds for schools next year. State funding will increase $575,000.
Leaders of the Roanoke Education Association said the raises are inadequate and that Roanoke now has the lowest teacher salaries in the Roanoke Valley.
Mason Powell, executive president of the REA, complained that the city is selling out students and teachers by inadequate funding.
"We have seen upper-level administrators in the city government and in the school system receive embarrassing and inexcusably inflated perks while your average workers continue to watch our real wages slide downhill," Powell said.
"But the biggest frustration is the wholesale sellout of our students," he said, citing overcrowded classrooms and underfunded program, textbook and supply budgets.
Dorothy Cooper, president of the REA, said the schools are at a crossroads as federal and state funds are being reduced.
Cooper said council is trying to attract new industries, but is willing to allow teachers to be paid on a mediocre scale.
"You need a new addition to the jail. But the truth is, if you had spent as much money on the student as you now spend on the prisoner, you might not have needed that jail," Cooper said.
by CNB