Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 29, 1992 TAG: 9201290240
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
CROWD SINGS BUDGET'S PRAISES
Picture the choir singing to the board of deacons - that's sort of what the Montgomery County School Board's budget hearing was like Tuesday night.Of 22 people speaking to the board about its proposed $52.3 million budget for next year - an increase of 33 percent over this year's - 18 people spoke in favor of the board's proposals.
Those speaking for the budget consisted mostly of county teachers and PTA officers. Kim Badinelli, representing the County Council of PTAs, said all the county's PTAs support the proposed budget.
Badinelli praised the way the school administration and board has worked closely with the PTAs in preparing the budget, saying the document addresses the financial needs of the county's children.
But two residents argued that the budget would put too much of a strain on taxpayers during tough financial times, one said he didn't feel he was getting his money's worth from the school now, and another man complimented the board on its vision but suggested that the board not ask for everything this year.
After the hearing, the board increased its proposal by adding money for part-time athletic trainers at the county's four high schools before voting 7-1 to send the budget on to the Board of Supervisors next week for its consideration.
Board Chairman Bob Goncz was the lone dissenter, saying he voted against the budget because of concerns about proposed raises for school employees and a plan to install computers in all county classrooms.
However, Goncz said he would have no problem defending the board's budget before the Board of Supervisors. He reminded the crowd of about 100 that the School Board's job is to decide what it takes for Montgomery County to offer its children a good education, but it's up to the supervisors to decide whether the county can pay for it.
Howard Morris, who identified himself as a truck driver, was one of those not happy with the board's proposal. Spending more money is not going to mean better education, he said.
"I'm a hard working man and I'll back you all 100 percent but show me something first," he said. "You all haven't showed me nothing."
Larry Taylor, who said he was a small-business owner who made it on an income of $18,000 last year, asked the board not to do anything that would result in more taxes.
The budget contains a raise for all school employees, including an average 15.24 percent increase for teachers. Most employees did not get raises this year.
Even with the proposed raises, which would bring the average teacher's annual salary to $31,556, Montgomery teachers still would be almost $4,000 behind the statewide average teacher's salary of $35,360.
The next biggest item added to the budget would be $3.04 million to equip the county's 700 classrooms with computers and software.
Other major spending increases would be: $1 million for 24 new teachers; $720,000 for 15 new school buses; and $370,000 to pay for half of the premiums for health insurance for the families of school employees.
New money also are would go toward teaching supplies, dropout prevention, field trips, elementary guidance counselors, elementary art and music teachers, and high school band uniform replacement.
The School Board must send its budget to the Board of Supervisors by Monday.