Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 27, 1991 TAG: 9102270566
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: By NEAL THOMPSON/ EDUCATION WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
There have been no angry complaints. No bands of parents or teachers have crowded board meeting demanding more money.
Tuesday night was no different. But for the first time, some fears were publicly raised about problems the board may face once some of the cuts they have been discussing are implemented next school year.
"When September comes, there's going to be a lot of yelling," Superintendent Frank Tota said.
"I'm sure when scheduling starts, we will hear it," said board member Velma Seif.
To appease parents and students who may have to rearrange schedules once some classes and programs are cut, the administration is trying to print students' fall class schedules before the summer, when they usually are completed. The process is being stepped up to give students more time to make schedule changes if they are affected by program cuts, said David Partington, director of secondary education and middle schools.
Tota said some pending cuts, such as summer-school electives, are unavoidable but bound to hurt and anger some students and their parents. "City kids who have nothing to do during the summer need these enrichments."
Next year's budget looks to be about $63.9 million - a $600,000 decrease from last year and possibly the first time ever that a school budget has shrunk from the previous year.
To reach that level and compensate for decreased state funding, the board plans to freeze teacher pay raises, cut programs and eliminate up to 40 positions. Faye Pleasants, executive for personnel, assured the board, though, "We should not have to lay off any contract teachers."
Three areas that got the most attention Tuesday were the Middle School Scholars program, which would eliminate four teaching positions if it is reduced as planned; and the expansion of two existing programs: full-day kindergarten and seven-period high school days.
"I have been swamped with calls from parents, students . . . about this program," board member Sallye Coleman said about the middle-school program.
Tota warned her that reducing the scholars program, along with the other pending cuts, may be necessary. "There's no other alternatives," he said.
Board members also discussed trying to restore some of the programs they will have to cut by asking City Council for an additional $1.5 million in the board's annual supplemental budget.
by CNB