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

DATE: SATURDAY, December 4, 1993                   TAG: 9312040235
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BONNIE V. WINSTON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WILLIAMSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

NO RELIEF IN SIGHT FOR STATE'S POOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS

During a budget work session of the Senate Finance Committee, lawmakers were told that many of the state's poorest school divisions could afford to spend more on schools but don't.

And those localities that spend the least on their schools generally have lower property tax rates than other cities and counties, according to an analysis prepared by the Finance Committee staff.

Property taxes are the largest single source of revenue available to local governments for schools.

If the bottom 10 localities in school spending raised property taxes to the state average - a figure that was not available Friday - they could increase per-pupil spending between $385 and $533. That would be enough to boost them to the statewide per-pupil median, the report said.

"When state funds are increased, the required local effort should be increased, as well," said Pam Currey, co-author of the report.

That notion immediately raised the hackles of several lawmakers who represent rural and central-city areas whose school districts have been battling the state for years for more aid.

Several of those districts took state officials to court over disparity, but the case was dismissed.

"What you're asking is for local governing bodies to raise taxes at a time when people can't afford it," said Sen. Jack Reasor, D-Bluefield.

"We're not asking," retorted Sen. Hunter Andrews, D-Hampton, chairman of the Finance Committee. "We're just saying this is what would happen if you did."

In 1991-92, there was more than a $5,300 difference between the school district spending the most per pupil on education and that spending the least. According to the state Department of Education, the top spender was Falls Church, at $9,139 per pupil; the lowest was South Boston, at $3,819.

Several lawmakers from rural areas, including Sen. Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo, R-Fincastle, urged changes in the state formula used to distribute funds to schools.

Currey said one possible change would produce about $41 million in cuts to five school divisions, while giving the 10 lowest spenders only about $35 more per pupil.

"If you think you have 21 votes [a majority in the 40-member Senate] to redistribute the money from Fairfax to the coalfields, then go ahead," Andrews told Trumbo. "The fundamental question is: Is there a difference in achievement based on how much you spend? And the answer is no."

According to the analysis, students in some low-spending schools score high on standardized tests, while students in some high-spending schools score low.

Additional spending isn't the only solution, Currey said. Among the report's recommendations were providing preschool classes for "at risk" 4-year-olds and reducing class size in elementary schools.

An estimated $44 million would be needed for the 1994-96 state budget to lower the pupil-teacher ratio to 22:1 for kindergarten through third grade, according to the report.

But it would take $6 million to start reducing just kindergarten classes beginning in 1995-96, according to the report.

Several lawmakers, including Trumbo, acknowledged that committee budget projections, suggesting a $260 million gap between state revenues and budget obligations for 1994-96, appear too bleak to support an infusion of state aid to ease disparity.

And any sort of state tax increase appears out of the question. Gov.-elect George Allen has promised to veto any increase. He extended that pledge this week to cover a possible gasoline tax.

Several lawmakers, including Sen. Stanley Walker, D-Norfolk, agreed that incremental steps for schools may be funded.

"We feel like we have to do something," said Walker, who heads a legislative committee studying disparity.

"Changing the formula may be hashed out during the [upcoming General Assembly] session, but I don't think that's going anywhere. It's more likely we can do something like preschool for the at-risk 4-year-olds."

Trumbo said despite the budget crunch, he will push for more state aid for poorer school districts for Head-Start-type programs.

"I think that's a good approach, but not the Santa Claus approach," he said. "Santa Claus hasn't visited this committee for a few years now."