Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, December 3, 1994 TAG: 9412050028
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
That's the day Gov. George Allen says he'll give details on his proposed $2.1 billion tax cut, and the day when Wright could find out how much, or how little, the state will provide for local school divisions next year.
In past years, Wright has been able to get early ballpark estimates of state revenues to plug into the School Board's budget planning process, which is already in full swing. This year, no one's talking, so Wright and his colleagues across the state are sitting on their hands, nervously awaiting word. Wright won't even hazard a guess on whether the news will be good or bad.
"I'm reluctant to be as speculative about revenues as I have in the past," Wright told the board. "My usual sources have no information for me."
Wright said Friday he hoped Allen's tax-cut plans would not affect basic aid.
Not only are Wright and the School Board anxious, city officials can't get any revenue information out of the capital these days either. "There's a plug in the conduit," City Manager Bob Asbury quipped Friday.
City Council wants the School Board budget by Jan. 9, but the two bodies are having trouble making a date to discuss money issues, especially the bottom line on school expansion and renovation plans.
City Council has penciled in approximately $1 million for school projects as part of a tentative $6 million bond issue, but the School Board already is looking at more than $4 million in additions and renovations at all four city schools, plus technology improvements and other projects. School Board members at Thursday's meeting said they want to know which items go in the 1995-96 budget and which might be funded by a bond issue. Some project requests are in both places for now.
Board member Guy Wohlford - a former city councilman - said he was "a little antsy" about waiting until the last minute to make important money decisions. "I don't want the revenue figures to be the tail that wags the dog," he told his colleagues.
Wright pointed out that even the figures he hopes to get later this month will be tentative until mid-March.
The School Board has scheduled a work session for Dec. 15 to fine-tune budget priorities. It holds its next regular meeting Dec. 22.
by CNB