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

DATE: THURSDAY, March 7, 1991                   TAG: 9103070553
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-6   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: By NEAL THOMPSON/ EDUCATION WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

COUPONS COULD AID SCHOOLS/ PTAS WOULD USE REVENUE FOR EXTRAS/

If parent-teacher associations at each city school approve the plan, parents would sell the $10 coupon booklets that would generate $7 each for city schools.

The idea was introduced locally last year by the Partners in Excellence, a group promoting cooperation between businesses and schools in the Roanoke Valley.

Similar programs have gained thousands of dollars for school districts in Knoxville and Chattanooga, Tenn. PTA members in Roanoke and Roanoke County assailed the plan when it was first proposed last year, saying it brought schools and businesses too close together.

Wednesday, though, Central Council PTA members seemed comfortable with revisions to the earlier plan that would return most of the money to local PTAs. They endorsed the plan but will allow individual PTAs to determine whether they want to use it at their schools.

"We have to start thinking of alternative ways to start funding our schools," said Bruce Stockburger, a local lawyer and member of the partnership's board of directors, who spoke to PTA members Wednesday.

"I like the concept. I like the business tie-in," said Garden City Elementary School PTA member Tom Chapman.

Salem's Central Council PTA also endorsed the plan this week and Roanoke County's PTA members are still considering it.

"I think it'll be a good plus for our schools," said Salem Superintendent Wayne Tripp. "We will benefit as a school system and the children will benefit."

Tripp said students aren't allowed to solicit for money. But this allows parents to help raise money at a time when school funding for extraneous items is limited.

"Taxes ought to pay for the necessities but the PTA is there to pay for the niceties," he said.

Coupon booklets would offer discounts at Roanoke Valley businesses and would also include entry forms for contest giveaways. Stockburger said he hopes to have parents selling them as early as September.