Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, March 29, 1993 TAG: 9303290395
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARSHA ELLISON
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Roanoke's School Board is required to submit a balanced budget to City Council. The proposed budget for fiscal year 1993-94 was reduced because the money our city and state was making available to the school system did not adequately meet the original budget. Year after year, a so-called supplemental budget is created, and we are told it will be funded if more revenue is available. It rarely is.
The original budget reflected the needs of our children, schools, teachers and included several items required to meet School Board goals, such as lower primary grade size and more guidance counselors. These requests were necessary for the continuation of excellence in education for our children.
Also, the average teacher salary is less than that of the teachers in Roanoke County and Salem. Are not our children and teachers worth as much? If it were not for the vision and direction of Superintendent Frank Tota and his staff in gaining federal Magnet School funding, our schools would be in dire condition.
Many citizens may not remember statements and promises made in the mid- to late '80s regarding our public-education system:
Since the schools were assuming the renovation costs, debt services and operation costs of the older elementary schools (citizens had demanded these schools remain open), the city would contribute more to the schools. The city also said a meal tax and a higher cigarette tax would benefit education.
As it is, the revenue growth shared with schools has decreased to 36 percent, as opposed to the 48 percent schools had received prior to '92, because the funding formula was rewritten last year.
Why are schools getting less? When are city schools going to receive fully funded budgets from the city? When can parents and teachers stop begging for funds from our City Council members?
Education must become No. 1 priority. Our leaders are asking the schools to assume responsibilities that belong to the community - health care, substance-abuse prevention, citizenship training, etc. The schools will do this job, but they must be given the resources.
Our senior citizens don't want an extra tax burden. However, more visiting teachers and guidance counselors are much less expensive than jailhouse additions. I daresay senior citizens would invest in the future if the payoff were less crime, safer neighborhoods and a thriving, economically healthy community.
Economic development is, of course, a priority for our city, but no manufacturers or high-tech producers will be attracted to Roanoke if we don't have a well-educated work force.
Education is the foundation for our future. City leaders must commit to this vision, and may quickly and easily demonstrate this tenet by fully funding education.
Marsha Ellison of Roanoke is Roanoke City Council PTA president.
by CNB