Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 15, 1994 TAG: 9403150213
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Thomas G. Baker Jr.
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
One of the most important elements was school funding. The House and Senate agreed to allocate $103 million to address school funding disparity despite earlier concern that this appropriation might be reduced.
Additional school funding, through a maintenance reserve fund and an allocation tied to loss of enrollment, will also bring money to New River school systems. Local schools will now receive $15 per student during the first year of the biennium for maintenance and $5 per year during the second half of the biennium.
As originally proposed in the House budget, the hold harmless enrollment provision and the maintenance funds would have generated approximately $350,000 in additional school money for Pulaski, Radford and Giles. The final dollar figures based upon the conference budget are not yet available.
Overall, with the disparity funds coupled with the maintenance and enrollment loss monies, Pulaski, Radford and Giles will stand to receive a good share of state aid to address disparity for the kindergarten through third- grade area over the next two years. After that it will be necessary to find new money to continue these programs.
Also included in the budget compromise were my amendments for $550,000 for Radford University to renovate the Allen Building into academic space, and $7,500 for operating funds for "The Long Way Home."
The final budget will also contain $650,000 for the New River Trail State Park to include purchase and development of a campground in Pulaski County. The New River Trail State Park has become an extremely popular attraction and this type of addition should increase tourism and utilization of the trail. I am extremely pleased to report a successful outcome on this project that I have carried during this session,
Also my amendments will allow Pulaski County the option of maintaining staggered membership on its School Board. Pulaski County will elect its first School Board in 1995 when all members must run for election. Without legislation specifically allowing for staggered boards, all elected board members would serve for four year terms, creating the possibility of a complete change of membership at each election.
This past week I co-sponsored a resolution with Sen. Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo that congratulates the town of Narrows on its 90th anniversary. Also this session my amendment now provides that "The Long Way Home" in Radford will be officially designated and recognized as the historical outdoor drama of the state.
I will return home this week and will be back in my Dublin office until the veto session on April 20. You can reach me at 674-4081 and P.O. Box 1847, Dublin, Va., 24084.
Thomas G. Baker Jr., R- Radford, represents Radford, Pulaski County and part of Giles County in the Virginia House of Delegates>
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1994
by CNB