Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, February 7, 1991                   TAG: 9102080683
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: W-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Charles Stebbins
DATELINE: NEW CASTLE                                LENGTH: Short

UNCLEAR LANGUAGE HAMPERS BOARD'S STUDY OF REPORT

A study commission, appointed by Gov. Douglas Wilder, recently released a report on the disparity issue. Copies of the report were given to members of the Craig County School Board this week.

Robert Shaver, the board's vice chairman, immediately called attention to recommendation 20, which says:

"The Commission does not recommend change in the use of the division as a unit of cost and the linear weighted average as a reasonable method for calculating prevailing costs."

The recommendation, Shaver said, is not a very clear statement on a point that is crucial for schools in the western half of the state. And, he added, it is the shortest statement in the whole report.

School Superintendent Dallas Helems said the statement recommends there be no change in the formula for distributing state education funds.

The current formula is a basic problem for schools in western Virginia, Shaver said.

Helems said the general opinion among school officials throughout the state is that the study commission is starting with recommendations that will result in equity in funding and hasn't yet dealt with the real disparity issue.