Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 23, 1994 TAG: 9403230020
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
The School Board was among those lining up before City Council on Monday with a budget wish list in hand. It seeks nearly $3.85 million in city funds for its budget of just over $7.4 million. The budget includes 3 percent raises for teachers and employees.
Superintendent Michael Wright told council that federal money to help school systems near government installations - such as the Radford Army Ammunition Plant - has all but dried up. The school division had expected to get $6,250 next year in so-called "impact funds" to subsidize the cost of educating dependents of plant workers living in the city.
Next year's school budget also asks for $15,000 to support the high school athletic program. School Board Chairman Guy Gentry said athletic officials project a $15,000 to $25,000 shortfall in gate receipts during the football and basketball seasons, now that Radford has dropped from AA to A athletic status.
"We won't have some of the crowds - like from Blacksburg and Christiansburg - that we've had in the past," Gentry said Tuesday.
He said the board has not had to help out the athletic program in the past, when revenue-producing sports covered their own costs. This year, he said, the schools were asking only for the minimum. He warned that if receipts don't meet estimates, some sports could be eliminated in the spring.
Wright told council the Radford High School Athletic Fund already is in the red by about $5,000.
The superintendent also asked council to consider matching $12,566 in state grants for educational technology and $16,000 to join the developing Southwest Virginia Educational Telecommunications Network.
On the plus side, Wright said the school division would get just over $385,750 more in state money this year. "This is the year for state funding," he said.
In other presentations:
The Recreation Department told council that swimmers at the city's pool will pay another 25 cents a head this summer. Tickets will cost $1.25 for adults and $1 for children.
Recreation Director Kenny Goodyear said the pool - which needs relining - will be patched up again this spring. The more extensive relining work will be done in the fall.
Library Director Ann Fisher told council library hours will have to be cut back if council doesn't provide another $3,500 for part-time salaries.
Welfare and Social Services Superintendent Suzanne Glass told council there's not enough money to run her agency, which gets most of its budget from the state and federal governments and about 20 percent from the city.
An office manager's position will remain unfilled until June because the agency didn't have money to cover the salary, she said.
by CNB