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

DATE: THURSDAY, March 14, 1991                   TAG: 9103150760
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: W-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

STATE FUNDS CUT LESS THAN PREDICTED

The Salem school system's loss of state funds will not be as great as predicted and, with adjustments, the impact of huge cuts in state school funding could be lessened.

School Superintendent Wayne Tripp told School Board members Tuesday that what had been estimated as a $455,000 loss in state revenues actually will amount to a $381,115 loss in state funding over the current year's budget.

Corresponding decreases in the non-personnel budget should help make up for the losses, Finance Director Frank Turk said.

Last month, Tripp proposed a 15-percent reduction in non-personnel costs. The proposed reduction would, in part, eliminate a planned library automation system at Salem High School, do away with $46,000 worth of computer equipment in the elementary schools and set aside numerous building improvements.

The board has scheduled a budget work session for next week to discuss the personnel portion of the budget.

In another matter, the board agreed with Tripp's recommendation against allowing eligible school employees to participate in the state's early retirement option. The option allows employees who are at least 50 years old and who have 25 years with the Virginia Retirement System, to retire early with full benefits.

Ten school employees have been identified as qualifying for the option.

But Tripp said that while the program would be a highly desirable benefit to potential retirees, the estimated cost borne by the school system is so high that recommending the board vote in favor of the program would be unreasonable.

In other business:

The board discussed altering high school graduation requirements by allowing vocational courses to be substituted for a math or science course.

The change reflects a state provision regarding students who complete a specified series of vocational-skills courses. Those courses often are two or more periods in length and may include an on-the-job training component.

The course substitution would be limited to specific courses that might have math or science content as part of the curriculum.

The board will vote on changing the requirements next month.

The board authorized Tripp to designate March 29 as a holiday for students and teachers, provided no days have been missed by March 22. Several parents and teachers had requested that the board consider designating March 29 as a non-school day, rather than May 23.

May 23 will replace March 29 as a school day.

by CNB