Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 27, 1992 TAG: 9203270462
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ROCKY MOUNT LENGTH: Medium
But the supervisors took no position on the pay proposal backed by the School Board, which would add an estimated $1.7 million to the county's 1992-93 budget.
"I don't think we're at the point where we can make that decision right now," Chairman Gus Forry said.
The teachers said they would be back - for as many meetings as it takes - to express their support for the School Board and Superintendent Len Gereau.
"We want to show Mr. Gereau our support, because he's standing up for us," Diane Worley, a middle school teacher, said after the meeting.
Teachers said they are frustrated that the average teacher salary in the county - $26,285 - ranks next to last among 16 localities in the area.
"I think our salaries need to be competitive with other localities' in the region," said Karen Busher, a middle school health teacher.
Busher and other teachers said they would give up part of their spring vacations to attend an April 21 public hearing on the school budget.
Members of the Board of Supervisors said they would not know how much revenue would be available for salaries until they had a chance to review revenue projections next month.
Supervisors - who are on record opposing property tax rate increases during a recession - are looking to alternative sources of revenue.
The board voted 5-2 to take the first steps toward enacting a 4 percent tax on meals served in restaurants. County voters approved a meals tax referendum in 1990.
County Administrator John Lester estimates the tax would generate $175,000 next year.
Lester also said the board could raise another $90,000 by raising the vehicle decal fee from $20 to $23.
Lester said, too, that legislation passed by the 1992 General Assembly would mean a dramatic cut in the cost of encapsulating the county's 13-acre landfill, which is scheduled to close in late 1993.
The legislation would eliminate the need for a synthetic cap, cutting a consultant's estimated cost of closure from $2.6 million to $284,000, Lester said.
Lester's preliminary budget for 1992-93 provided $563,000 for closing the landfill.
Lester cautioned that the new regulations would result in added costs for ground-water monitoring and create the need for a bond to ensure against pollution.
"Who knows?" Blackwater Supervisor Wayne Angell said. "There might be some money in there to give the teachers a raise."
Supervisors will hold three budget workshops before meeting with the School Board again on April 14.
\ STATUS OF 1992-93 BUDGET
FOR FRANKLIN COUNTY SCHOOLS
\ School Board: Renewed its request Thursday for 6 percent raises for all employees and nearly $538,000 to cover health insurance costs.
Board of Supervisors: Replied that it would not have an answer until a jointbudget workshop scheduled for April 14.
Likely Outcome: Supervisors are in no mood to raise property tax rates, but they probably will find enough money from existing revenues for a modest pay raise for all county and school employees. A major factor will be recent legislation that would cut the cost of encapsulating the old landfill, freeing up all or part of $563,000 budgeted next year for closing the landfill.
by CNB