THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Wednesday, January 11, 1995            TAG: 9501110010
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A10  EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   38 lines

RAISE LOTTERY HEAD'S PAY AND CUT SCHOOLS?

Formerly a teacher and a high-school principal, I am now a businessman active in raising funds to support our local public schools. I was appalled to read that Gov. George Allen proposed a 22 percent salary increase for the state's lottery director.

Apparently, Penelope Kyle and her husband, who is a lawyer, regard her salary of $94,676 as sufficient for now, ``but down the road, if we're talking about three private-school payments, I'm in trouble.''

How can a governor who is cutting funding to public schools and colleges have the gall to suggest to our legislators a salary increase for an appointed agency head so she can send her children to private schools?

I would suggest to Governor Allen that if our public schools are not good enough for Mrs. Kyle's children, the governor should spend the necessary money to improve our schools to meet Mrs. Kyle's and, I presume, his standards.

Also, I can provide the governor with a list of 50 or more lawyers, business men and women and other professionals from the Eastern Shore who would gladly head the lottery commission for a salary of $94,676 annually.

I ask members of Virginia schools boards, teachers associations and private citizens to let the governor know how much we support education. Let's not allow our governor to cut funds for education and raise salaries of his appointed department heads to send their children to private schools.

I have observed over the years that private schools work well because the parents get involved with their children's education. This total commitment to their children's education will help all schools - both public and private.

WILLIAM T. McCOMB

Chincoteague, Jan. 3, 1995 by CNB