Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 5, 1990 TAG: 9005050111
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV8 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
At issue were $45,753 in special federal funds that Radford, like many school systems, uses to pay salaries of special education teachers.
At Thursday's meeting, representatives of the Special Education Advisory Committee said the money, by law, should be used to supplement Radford's special education program, not to provide for such basic needs as salaries.
"We are going to be providing basic needs for our special education students when we're required to do that anyhow," said committee member Dick Wall.
Calling the funds "categorical," Wall said the board should see that the funds "not get mixed up in your budget process" and go toward enhancing special education through more materials or programs.
"If that causes problems somewhere else, so be it," he said.
Wall said the advisory committee already had voted its concern over use of the federal funds and this week voted to reiterate its concern.
"We continue to use the funds as they have always been used," said Superintendent Michael Wright. He said that when the federal money first became available in the 1970s, salaries were considered "supplemental," because few, if any, schools had special education programs.
Special Education Coordinator Olivia Linkous said a state education department official told her the state would approve using that money to pay special ed teachers unless the salaries previously had come out of local or state funds.
"We understand this is something reasonable people can disagree on," Wall said.
The School Board recently appropriated $3,533 to buy computer software to help special education students. Wall praised that action and encouraged the board "to do more of that kind of thing."
Linkous said about 10 percent of Radford's youngsters require some kind of special education. She said that percentage is within the state norm. Radford has 15 special education teachers.
Board member Richard Swann urged to board to communicate more with the Special Education Advisory Committee before developing next year's budget.
Following discussion, the board voted 5-1 to approve the 1990-91 Special Education Annual Plan. The lone dissenter, Vice Chairman Guy Gentry, said after the meeting he voted "no" not because he disagreed with the plan but because he doesn't think the schools spend enough money on special education.
In other business, the board:
Unanimously approved Wright's $7 million 1990-91 budget, which goes to City Council Monday for final consideration.
Considered options for adding a seventh period to high- and intermediate-school schedules next year.
Approved without discussion a new policy to handle faculty and staff members with such blood-carried, contagious illnesses as AIDS or hepatitis B.
OK'd a teacher evaluation program to cover half of the system's teachers next year.
Recognized Radford students who participated in recent Mountain Academic Conference competition.
by CNB