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

DATE: THURSDAY, November 16, 1995                   TAG: 9511160046
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

CITY TEACHERS ASK 6% RAISE

The teachers want City Council to provide money for the raises even if the state doesn't pay its share of the raise. The state pays about 35 percent of the cost of city schools.

School officials have said it could cost up to $2.3 million in additional local and state revenue over the next three years to reach the national average. That would be in addition to the normal growth in local and state funds of about $3.1 million a year.

Esther Cirasunda, executive vice president of the Roanoke Education Association, said the teachers support the board's proposal, but the raises should not be linked to state finances.

"We cannot agree with the information that we have received that raises be contingent on sustained and continued growth in state revenues," Cirasunda told the board this week.

She said the Virginia Education Association's research indicates that the growth in state revenues would provide only a 1 percent increase in teacher salaries.

Last summer, the School Board set a goal of increasing teachers' salaries to the national average within three years. That will require an average increase of 6 percent a year because city salaries are about $2,500 below the national figure, said Richard Kelley, assistant superintendent for operations.

The national average is projected to increase by 4 percent a year, so Roanoke's salaries would have to be raised by 6 percent a year to catch up in three years, Kelley said.

Faced with cuts in federal funds and small increases in state aid, the schools have been forced to rely more on local funds in recent years.

Mayor David Bowers has raised the possibility of lowering city tax rates, but board members have said that could conflict with their desire to increase teachers' salaries.

Cirasunda said Roanoke's teachers deserve raises because their salaries are lower than those in Salem and Roanoke County in most categories.

"In the urban setting, where students are disadvantaged, many from broken homes, and of a variety of cultures, there is a definite need to bring up the level of compensation," she said.

Roanoke salaries range from $25,937 for a beginning teacher to $40,523 for a teacher with a master's degree and 22 years' experience. Most teachers work on 10-month contracts.

School Board Chairman Nelson Harris said the board will keep the teachers' request in mind as it considers the budget for next year, but he made no commitment.

Teachers have been averaging about 4 percent raises in recent years.

On another salary issue, consultants have recommended that the board adopt a new job and pay classification plan for school maintenance, cafeteria, clerical, custodial and other classified workers that would cost an additional $242,000 a year.

Under the new plan, many workers would receive raises, but no salaries would be reduced. Many jobs would be reclassified with different pay scales. Superintendent Wayne Harris will make recommendations on the new pay plan for classified workers in his proposed school budget.