WILDER'S RECOMMENDATION COULD EASE CRAIG COUNTY SCHOOL BUDGET A BIT

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

DATE: THURSDAY, February 6, 1992                   TAG: 9202060605
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: W2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Charles Stebbins
DATELINE: NEW CASTLE                                LENGTH: Short
WILDER'S RECOMMENDATION COULD EASE CRAIG COUNTY SCHOOL BUDGET A BIT
The economic situation for Craig County schools may not be as bad as school board members feared.
But even with an improved money picture, it will still be tough. Superintendent Dallas Helems said the key is in budget recommendations sent to the General Assembly by Gov. Douglas Wilder.
If the Wilder figures are approved, Craig might get about 3 percent more in state revenue than it expected, Helems said. But that amount might be in danger of being eaten up by inflation, he added.
During a discussion of the 1992-93 budget Tuesday, school board members were not not optimistic that things would be easy even with a state revenue increase.
"I hope we can stay where we are and not slip behind," said Board Chairman Robert Shaver.
He urged members and residents to appeal to the county's representatives in the General Assembly for help.
The school board will hold a budget work session on Feb. 18. Members are hoping to have a school budget completed by March so it can be submitted to the county Board of Supervisors.
On another matter, the board took another step toward creating a middle school when it authorized a study committee to draw up preliminary plans for the school.
The cost of building more classrooms and the lack of funds for capital projects have been the main holdups in planning for a middle school. But school officials feel that a middle school, or an addition to McCleary Elementary, is needed to relieve overcrowding at McCleary.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB