Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 27, 1991 TAG: 9103270313
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: JUSTINE ELIAS CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
School officials Tuesday night approved a $22 million budget for the 1991-92 academic year - a reduction of $387,000 from this year.
Superintendent William Asbury said jobs will be saved because more school employees than expected have chosen to retire early.
Of 44 eligible employees, 28 have elected to retire at the end of the school year.
"If we do not replace as many as nine positions, we will have met our budget objectives," said Asbury.
Declining enrollment at the secondary-school level will be a factor, Asbury has said.
Additions to next year's budget include:
A 30 percent increase in medical premium costs for employees.
A new computer technical/coordinator employee, who will supervise $2 million of recently acquired computing equipment and software.
A five-year lease-to-buy option on new school buses will cost more in the long run, Asbury said, but the county cannot afford to buy the vehicles outright.
"Next year, from what we hear, is going to be as rough or rougher," said Asbury.
School officials said they do not expect to receive any additional money from the state, despite an announcement from Gov. Douglas Wilder that $15 million has been found for education funds.
"We don't know how that's going to affect us," Asbury said.
If there is extra money from the state, "we'll be standing there with a hat," said Vice Chairman Ronald Chaffin.
by CNB