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

DATE: THURSDAY, March 12, 1992                   TAG: 9203120436
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: W2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

SALEM TO CONTRACT OUT DRIVER EDUCATION

Under the new "cost-effective" driver education program, the school system will contract out all or part of behind-the-wheel instruction with a private driver training school.

Contracting services would reduce driver education costs from $65,125 to about $15,000, primarily by eliminating automobile leasing costs, said Joe Kirby, supervisor of middle and secondary education.

The restructured program would offer driver education twice a semester and during the summer, possibly increasing the number of students taking driver education, Kirby said.

At present, about half of Salem High students learn to drive through private instruction, Kirby said.

The restructured program also would eliminate the graduation credit for the course, requiring that less time be devoted to the course, Kirby said.

Kirby also recommended that two aides who teach driver's education be reassigned to other duties.

School administrative staff will prepare bid specifications and advertise for proposals. The board will then award a contract, most likely in May, Superintendent Wayne Tripp said.

On another matter, the board changed this year's dates when employees can opt for the early retirement program to March 11-April 10 and voted to allow retirees to remain in the health-care program, at their own expense, until age 65.