ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, April 9, 1997 TAG: 9704090032
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: LISA APPLEGATE AND KATHY LOAN THE ROANOKE TIMES
Two cents will go a long way for Montgomery County schools, but perhaps not all the way to 26 new teachers.
Because the Board of Supervisors agreed to a 2-cent tax increase, the schools will receive $1.6 million more for the 1997-98 year. The School Board now will decide how to allocate the $52.9 million total budget.
The board originally asked for a $53.3 million budget, which included $2 million in new county money for 26 new teachers, a 3 percent salary increase for all employees and seven new mobile classroom units.
Principals had requested the new teachers. In recent budget hearings, some Board of Supervisors asked school administrators to justify that need.
Assistant Superintendent John Martin said it was a matter of maintaining a quality education. The school system, he said, is committed to reducing pupil-teacher ratios and maintaining similar class offerings in all the schools.
At Christiansburg Middle School, for example, Principal Don Bullock had requested the equivalent of 3.3 teachers. Bullock said Tuesday he needed core teachers - those who teach English, math, science and social studies - to manage the 30 or so more pupils who will come to sixth grade next year. With 734 pupils, Bullock said it's a challenge to keep ratios below the school system's goal of 25-to-1.
Bullock said he also needs additional help so that the school can continue to offer elective courses such as music and art.
The $1.6 million spending increase the School Board received is much more than what it got for the present school year. The School Board had requested a 12 percent increase a year ago; the supervisors responded by allocating only $70,000.
For this proposal, Superintendent Herman Bartlett presented a budget that included the lowest spending increase since his first one three years ago.
Monday, Supervisor Mary Biggs, who supported the 2-cent increase, called the budget "conservative."
Supervisor Joe Stewart, who voted against the tax increase, responded, "Every time it's a bare bones budget - [got to] build schools, hire more teachers. The sky's the limit!"
Annette Perkins, School Board chairwoman, was generally satisfied with the money the school system received.
"I'm very pleased that much of what we requested was included," she said. "Naturally, I'm disappointed that the School Board budget was not fully funded because I believe it to be a conservative and reasonable request."
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