BOTH SIDES OF FUNDS FOR EDUCATION HEARD SCHOOL BUDGET DEBATED BEFORE

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

DATE: TUESDAY, January 14, 1992                   TAG: 9201140307
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium
BOTH SIDES OF FUNDS FOR EDUCATION HEARD SCHOOL BUDGET DEBATED BEFORE
A public hearing by the Board of Supervisors Monday night on the coming year's county budget brought both support and condemnation for increased funding for education.
Barry Worth of the Montgomery County Taxpayers Association told the supervisors that Superintendent of Schools Harold Dodge and the School Board should be reprimanded for not considering a "fair and equitable" budget for next near.
"We have to live within our means," Worth said.
Last week, Dodge presented a a $47 million budget proposal - 22 percent greater than last year's $39.2 million budget - to the School Board.
The School Board, however, will not begin debating that budget until a meeting tonight. Nevertheless, Dodge's proposal - which would require roughly $5 million in new county money - has already raised concerns with some citizens.
Thomas MacAdoo of Blacksburg called Dodge's proposals "totally irresponsible."
Dodge's budget contains a proposed new salary scale for teachers, which includes a 16 We must not let ourselves fall into vicious no-win cycle of first looking to education for budget cuts. Terry Arthur Montgomery resident. percent average increase in teacher pay. But considering the recession, MacAdoo said teachers should be good role models for their pupils and show self-restraint. By seeking raises now they "would be setting rather an example of greed and self-interest," he said.
But others spoke in support of funding for education. A flat budget for the county's schools next year will not meet the county obligation to its children, said Grady Pennington, a resident of the Christiansburg area.
"We must not let ourselves fall into vicious no-win cycle of first looking to education for budget cuts," said resident Terry Arthur.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB