THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 24, 1996 TAG: 9603220233
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 23 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: By DENISE WATSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 48 lines
The School Board approved the superintendent's $187.5 million budget for the next fiscal year in a special session Monday.
The 1996-97 operating budget, which covers day-to-day expenses in the 35,000-student district, must now be considered by City Council.
The Council is expected to vote on the budget May 9.
Superintendent W. Randolph Nichols' original budget plan totaled $186.7 million, but increased $850,000 by Monday with an influx of state help.
Much of the state's additional money will help pay for salary increases. Nichols recommended combining that money with extra district funds to cover an additional 0.7 percent salary increase for school employees.
The budget already included a 3 percent salary increase for employees. Nichols noted, in response to a question from board member James J. Wheaton, that not all school employees will feel the 3.7 percent boost.
``Several employees have topped-out,'' Nichols said, meaning they've reached the system's pay ceiling.
``These employees may receive only the cost-of-living increase, which is 1.2 percent.''
The board does not have to make the decision until May, Nichols said.
Other budget highlights include:
Maintaining the district's current pupil-teacher ratio by adding about 92 teaching positions.
Costs for opening Hickory High and Cedar Road Elementary schools.
Technology improvements.
Textbook purchases.
Nine new security monitors for middle and high schools.
Mary Korving, the only School Board member who voted against the budget, questioned whether the district was planning to spend too much money on additional security when schools have reported a decrease in fighting.
Nichols said hiring more monitors, or security guards, is a pro-active measure.
``No one wants to belittle safety,'' Korving said. ``But this makes me feel uncomfortable when (the recommendation for more security) hasn't come from any particular incident. Are we perhaps being too pro-active?''
KEYWORDS: CHESAPEAKE SCHOOL BOARD BUDGET by CNB