Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 15, 1994 TAG: 9404150100
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Gov. George Allen's proposal for a settlement with federal retirees who were taxed illegally would cost the county $63,000 in school maintenance funds.
Superintendent Bayes Wilson told the School Board on Thursday night that Allen's proposal would hurt all school systems. Roanoke will lose $57,000.
The board will contact the county's representatives in the General Assembly and ask them to save the money for school maintenance.
"We are already getting too few dollars from the state," Wilson said. "We can't afford to lose this."
School officials said the loss of the maintenance money won't make that much difference in a budget that is already $1.6 million out of balance. But they still need it.
The School Board has asked the Board of Supervisors for $4.1 million in new revenue for the next the school year to balance the $72.6 million budget. The supervisors have agreed to provide $2.5 million, but they have made no commitment on the remaining $1.6 million.
The board also considered several other issues that might put more financial strain on school finances.
Board member Jerry Canada said equipment and instruments for some of the county's bands are in bad shape. He asked school administrators for a list of the bands' needs and their cost.
The board also learned that it might cost $1 million to renovate Fort Lewis Elementary School. It authorized architects to prepare plans for a Glenvar Middle School that will cost an estimated $2.5 million. Funds for the middle school were included in earlier bond issue.
Chairman Frank Thomas indicated that he prefers renovating Fort Lewis rather than closing it as has been mentioned previously.
Under one proposal, the school could be partially renovated for $193,000, but that would be a short-term solution to problem, architects said.
by CNB