Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 31, 1994 TAG: 9403310252
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: W-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Superintendent Wayne Tripp also has proposed that the school system provide an additional $300 in the annual contribution for health insurance for teachers and other school employees.
The combination of the pay raise and higher health insurance contribution would be the equivalent of almost a 4 percent boost for teachers and other professionals in the school system.
Tripp also has recommended a 5 percent pay raise for bus drivers, cafeteria workers, custodians and other nondegree school employees.
He proposed a higher raise for them because they have received smaller raises in recent years.
In briefing the board on his recommended budget, Tripp said Salem's salaries have increased faster than most school systems in the region in the past six years.
"We have had a pattern of upward movement in teacher salaries in recent years," Tripp said. "On a relative basis, we pay our teachers fairly well, even though they deserve more."
The prices for lunches would increase from $1.10 to $1.15 for elementary students and from $1.20 to $1.25 at the middle school and high school. The higher lunch prices are needed to cover the higher costs for food, salaries for cafeteria workers and other expenses.
Tripp's recommended 3.5 percent raise for teachers would mean that Salem would remain above Roanoke, Roanoke County and other school systems in salaries in the region.
Roanoke has approved a 4.6 percent raise for teachers, and Roanoke County is considering a 3 percent increase.
Tripp also said Salem will receive only $22,800 in school disparity funds from the General Assembly in the next year even though nearly 20 percent of the city's students receive free or reduced-priced lunches.
Roanoke received $1.1 million in disparity funds, and Roanoke County received $145,000.
Tripp said the school budget will be funded by $10.6 million in local tax funds, or 53 percent of the revenue, and the state will provide $7.1 million, or 35 percent.
The remainder will come the federal government, state sales tax and other sources.
The school budget also includes funds for:
Three new teaching positions for increases in kindergarten enrollment.
An additional part-time nurse and an additional part-time speech pathologist.
Three new teachers for special education classes.
Additional classroom and library technology.
The School Board is expected to act on the budget at its April 7 meeting when it will hold a public hearing on plans for renovating or replacing the G. W. Carver Elementary School.
The board also voted to replace the roof at the West Salem Elementary School for an estimated $150,000. The roof has been leaking during rainy and icy weather in recent months.
by CNB