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

DATE: SATURDAY, February 16, 1991                   TAG: 9102160097
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: FLOYD                                LENGTH: Medium

$250,000 NEEDED FOR '91-'92 BUDGET

Superintendent Omar Ross gave that sobering report to the school board Thursday at its regular monthly meeting.

"I want to lay out some basic things for you to hear," said Ross. "You probably already know most of them if you've been reading the newspaper."

Most of the shortfall comes from reductions in state money for schools as a result of state budget cuts.

Ross estimated the county would get $180,000 less next school year from the state, based on the budget bills being considered in the General Assembly. That's $38,000 less than under a state plan announced in December.

Also, Ross said increases in health insurance premiums and textbook prices will cost the schools another $70,500.

Health insurance costs are expected to go up by $44,000.

Next school year is the county's scheduled textbook-adoption year. Even spreading the costs over two years, the schools will still have to spend $26,500 more on books than it did this year.

Ross also told the board a step increase in salary for teachers would cost another $180,000, bringing the total amount of new funding needed to $430,000.

"Either $250,000 or $430,000, you don't nickle and dime those figures," Ross said.

Ross mentioned four ways the schools could make ends meet: layoffs, attrition, more county money for schools, and using a lease-purchase plan to acquire the three new school buses it needs.

The board set a budget workshop for Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m.

In other business, the board modified its early retirement incentive program. The annual incentive will be 20 percent of the employee's last year's salary. The service obligation to the schools for the early-retiree will be 34 days a year.

The board agreed to buy two used school buses from Sonny Merryman, Inc., of Rustburg for $8,750. One is a 16-passenger bus with a wheelchair lift, the other a 34-passenger vehicle. Both were built in 1980 and have between 60,000 and 80,000 miles on them.

Three classes were approved to be added at Floyd County High School: human anatomy and physiology, advanced composition, and education for employment.

Also, the board set its regular March meeting for March 12 at 1 p.m. This is one day later than it would normally be held.