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

DATE: FRIDAY, March 1, 1991                   TAG: 9103010510
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-10   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: FLOYD                                LENGTH: Medium

LOWER FLOYD SCHOOL BUDGET STILL COULD COST TAXPAYERS MORE

The Floyd County schools will have to get by on less next year under a budget proposal presented to the School Board this week. But it still could cost the county taxpayers more.

Superintendent Omar Ross submitted a proposed 1991-92 budget Wednesday night of just under $8.18 million. That's about $227,000 less than this year's spending - most from reduced state and federal money.

"This was the easiest budget I've had to do in 15 years," Ross said near the end of the work session. "I didn't have any money to work with."

Despite a reduction in state and federal funds of about $325,000, the school budget strives to keep current programs. However, to meet that objective the schools will need $90,000 more county money, bringing local school funds to over $2.32 million.

"I think [Ross] did a good job in putting this together," said School Board Chairman Bill Munzing. "We basically maintain our current class size. And we have no combination classrooms."

The budget does not include raises for school personnel. But it does increase the school system's share of premiums for employee medical insurance to 60 percent. It had been half.

Another increase is for textbooks. The schools will spend $66,000 on books, an increase of more than $26,000, because of textbook adoption requirements.

Also Wednesday, the board voted to do away with textbook rental fees, which ranged from $10 to $27. Money from the textbook fund and an increase textbook supplement from the state will be used to offset the loss of $35,000.

"I don't think it's worth the trouble," School Board member Doug Phillips said of the fee. "The first 30 days of school, teachers are wondering who is going to pay. It's a nightmare."

Most of the proposed budget reductions would be offset by lower personnel costs through attrition and retirements. No layoffs are planned.

Ross said many of the personnel projections are based on eligible employees taking advantage of the state's early retirement program - which the board voted to participate in at the meeting - as well as the county's early retirement incentives.

A public budget hearing will be planned for sometime this month.

by CNB