Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, January 6, 1995 TAG: 9501060114
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"What makes it so devastating is that it cuts programs for troubled youths, who need the most help," Harris said Thursday.
"This part of our population does not have a lot of political muscle."
Allen's cuts would cost Roanoke $500,000 earmarked for programs to reduce the dropout rate, provide homework assistance and help foreign students learn English.
To keep these programs, the School Board would have to make cuts elsewhere in the budget, including proposed increases in teacher salaries.
If the General Assembly doesn't restore the funds, Harris said, the School Board might ask City Council to make up the loss.
"If it looks like the legislature is not going to provide the money, I think we will have a meeting with council at some point," Harris said.
Whether council will have more funds for schools remains unclear, however.
Councilwoman Linda Wyatt said council has not received the latest revenue estimates, but she hopes the city can provide more money for schools.
"I'm looking for more money. I'm hoping it will be available," said Wyatt, an elementary school teacher who won a council seat last year.
Despite the financial crunch, Wyatt said, Roanoke must try to close the gap in teacher salaries in the Roanoke Valley. Roanoke's average salaries are lower than those in Salem and Roanoke County.
Superintendent Wayne Harris has proposed an average 4.2 percent raise for Roanoke teachers, but that might have to be reduced to 3.2 percent if the funds Allen proposes cutting are not restored.
Roanoke Education Association leaders said that 8 percent to 10 percent raises are needed so city teachers can catch up with those in other nearby school systems.
Board member Finn Pincus said the school system needs more money, but he might be hesitant to ask council for more funds.
"Obviously we need more money, but I wonder how many times you can keep going to the same well when you need help," he said. The school system has turned to council for more funds on several occasions in the past.
The city plans to provide $2.1million in additional revenue for schools, a 6 percent increase, in the next year. This is more than double the $917,000 increase the city provided during the current school year. The city can provide more funds for the next school year because of higher-than-expected collections of sales and personal property taxes.
State school funds are projected to increase $1.3million, or 4.7 percent.
Board member Marsha Ellison said the board will have to wait until the General Assembly acts on Allen's budget proposal before it seeks more money from council. "At this point, I don't know what will happen," Ellison said.
Harris said it's uncertain whether all of Allen's cuts will be approved by the legislature. School administrators and board members are urging parents to contact legislators and urge them to restore the school money.
by CNB