Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 5, 1990 TAG: 9004060833
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: By JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Most candidates sidestepped the question, saying they think school officials are better equipped to decide.
Others said they couldn't answer until they receive City Manager Robert Herbert's overall budget recommendation later this month.
Roland Macher, a Republican, suggested that the schools might save money by cutting back on computers in elementary schools and airplanes for the Magnet School aviation program. But he added that he didn't think the city should "start slashing."
Councilman James Trout, seeking re-election as an independent, said schools may get more money in the next fiscal year than expected. Herbert may make recommendations that could generate more money, Trout said.
"I would never tell the schools or the city manager where to make cuts," said Councilman Howard Musser. Council's responsibility is to decide on the overall amount, not to decide where cuts should be made, said Musser, a Democrat.
All six candidates were questioned for nearly an hour by the Central Parent-Teacher Association Council.
The PTA members complained that school officials have to beg, while the city almost always finds money for other projects.
The School Board has approved a balanced budget based on a $3.6 million increase in state and local revenues next year - including a projected increase of $2.5 million in local tax funds.
But the board also has approved what it described as a fully funded, supplemental budget that would require $2.1 more million in local tax money to help fund higher pay raises for teachers and additional programs designed to bring city schools into parity with Roanoke County schools.
James Harvey, a Democrat and former councilman trying to make a political comeback, said council has increased local funds for schools by more than 90 percent in the past decade.
Harvey said schools should have a high priority, and he wants to make sure that "every dollar for schools goes for the direct benefit of the children." But the city also has other needs and council has to try to balance the competing needs, he said.
William White, a School Board member who is seeking a council seat, said he favors greater cooperation between the city and county school systems as a way to help make school funds go farther.
White, who has been on the board for five years, said the city must make a commitment to provided the needed funds.
The Rev. Cecil McClanahan, an independent candidate, said he is concerned about the spread of drugs and satanic cults into city schools. "We need to take a look at what is going on in our schools," McClanahan said.
Almost all candidates defended the quality of city schools, saying they think that unfair comparisons are sometimes made with Roanoke County schools.
City schools receive some negative publicity because they have children from a wide diversity of socioeconomic groups, White said. But he strongly defended the quality of the city school system.
"I don't think Roanokers need to apologize for the city school system," said Trout.
Musser said some county residents criticize city schools because they are trying to whip up opposition to governmental consolidation.
by CNB