Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 17, 1990 TAG: 9007170291
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARK MORRISON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"To inject a veiled threat to School Board appointments based upon anti-Totaism does not, in my mind, reflect an open mind on school concerns," Coleman said in a lengthy statement at the conclusion of Monday's board meeting.
White, who was on the School Board for five years, recently said a yes vote on a salary increase for Tota any time in the next year would be a key issue for him in upcoming reappointment decisions.
Chairman James Turner and board members Velma Seif and Marilyn Curtis come up for reappointment to the School Board next year.
Tota was given "high praise" for his work as superintendent at June's board meeting, but he was not given a pay increase. However, White said earlier this month that the board has been considering boosting Tota's annuity by $4,500. The annuity is a yearly, tax-deferred investment.
The increase would raise Tota's annuity to more than $16,000 per year - the highest annuity for any school superintendent in Virginia.
White objects to any salary or benefits increase this year for Tota, who White says is being paid fairly.
Tota is paid $90,000 per year and collects a $6,000 car allowance. He was given a $3,000 salary increase last year and a $8,000 pay raise in 1988.
White voted against both increases when he was a School Board member.
In Roanoke County, Superintendent Bayes Wilson is paid $88,000 per year, also collects a $6,000 car allowance and receives an annuity of $12,000.
White also objected to a controversial retirement package Tota signed last year that will allow the superintendent to retire at age 55 but continue seven more years as a consultant to the school system at 35 percent of his salary.
White not only disapproved of the 1989 package, but also with the way he contends it was presented to the board. At the time, White said board members were given less than two hours to review the contract, which was approved by a 4-3 vote.
But Coleman said Monday that White had more than two hours last year to review Tota's contract and retirement package. She said he had two weeks to look over preliminary drafts.
"I question the sincerity of a board member who neglects to participate in the negotiation process and subsequently resorts to grandstanding," Coleman said. "It is much like a citizen who refuses to exercise his right to vote on Election Day but then criticizes the election outcome."
Coleman never named White during her comments. Also, future salary increases for Tota were not discussed.
In other business, the board reappointed Turner as School Board chairman and heard comments from parents, teachers, principals, clergy and other citizens on school goals for 1990-91.
Some of the topics discussed included creating a student alcohol- and drug-assistance program, increasing the city's magnet program, working on better equity between Patrick Henry and William Fleming high schools, increasing the teacher-pupil ratio, broadening community and family relationships with the schools, and encouraging more learning partnerships with local businesses.
The School Board will finish its goals and objectives for next year at its annual retreat today and Wednesday at Smith Mountain Lake.
by CNB