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

DATE: THURSDAY, April 4, 1991                   TAG: 9104040334
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Medium

BOARD OKS $7 MILLION BUDGET

The School Board adopted a $7 million 1991-92 school budget Tuesday that includes an additional $21,000 that the city hopes to get from Richmond as part of Gov. Douglas Wilder's effort to come up with more state money for local schools.

"If this money is forthcoming, we will be able to use it for health insurance - if that's your wish - or other things," Superintendent Michael Wright told the board.

The final spending plan was only slightly larger than last year's and failed to include raises for teachers and other system employees. While the vote was unanimous, some board members used the opportunity to once again bemoan tight state and local spending policies.

"We're not going to be able to keep not giving salary increases, we're not going to be able to keep not buying and replacing equipment," said board member Carter Effler. "I think the city fathers need to understand that something's got to be done, we've got to find some money somewhere, whether it's find a big industry to move in or increase taxes."

Board member Chip Craig, an outspoken proponent of more equitable funding for Virginia's smaller districts, blamed the state. "I don't think that the city has ever fallen short in making a commitment to education," he said. "If I had to point a finger, I'd point it at Richmond."

"I think the citizens of Radford are willing to pay their fair share," said vice chairman Guy Gentry.

The board also approved plans for high school Spanish students to take a five-day trip to Mexico after school is out in June.

Spanish teacher Elaine Kahle, who lived in Mexico for four years, told the board she expected anywhere from six to 15 students and chaperones to visit the Pacific coast port of Mazatlan. Radford students have been corresponding with Mazatlan students, and Kahle said they hope to meet their pen pals.

Kahle said the trip could cost each traveler over $1,000, and that chaperones also would pay.

The board approved the 1991-92 Special Education Plan and addition of two courses at Dalton Intermediate School. The school hopes to offer "Discovery Skills for Seventh Graders: A Critical Thinking/Problem Solving Course" and "Independent Study for Eighth Graders," both for 12 weeks in the fall.

The board also adopted a 1991-92 school calendar.

by CNB