Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 3, 1994 TAG: 9402030225
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The plan would not, however, close the gap completely. Roanoke lags behind the other school systems, particularly in pay for beginning teachers and those with less than 10 years of experience.
At a budget hearing Wednesday night, Harris said the city ranks 20th out of 133 school systems in the state in average teacher pay. But he said it has not kept pace with similar school systems.
Among 11 urban school systems, including Salem and Roanoke County, Roanoke ranks 10th in salary for beginning teachers. It ranks ahead of only Danville.
The beginning pay in Roanoke is $23,476, nearly $1,200 below Roanoke County and $2,400 below Salem.
In Alexandria, the beginning salary is $27,497; Norfolk, $26,300; Newport News, $26,000; Richmond, $24,160; and Lynchburg, $24,000.
Higher pay for teachers and other school employees is a priority in the $72.3 million budget.
Harris has recommended a raise of about $1,000 in the starting salary for teachers next year. His proposed three-year plan would provide a similar raise each year to make the city more competitive in salaries for beginning teachers and those who have taught fewer than 10 years.
The superintendent has recommended a $1.9 million salary package. It would provide an average raise of 4 percent for teachers, 3.5 percent for school-based administrators and 3 percent for central-office administrators.
Harris said Roanoke's senior teachers' salaries are slightly above their counterparts' in Roanoke County, but the average teacher salary in Roanoke still ranks below Salem and Roanoke County.
Roanoke's average pay - $35,382 - ranks seventh among the 11 urban school systems.
Roanoke County's average is $35,838; Salem's, $36,075.
Alexandria has the highest, $46,510. Others include Norfolk, $37,738; Newport News, $37,132; Richmond, $36,886; and Lynchburg, $34,647.
Also Wednesday night, a parent urged Harris to provide money for computers and other technology, including language labs, at Patrick Henry High. More money is needed for physical improvements at the school, she said.
The budget includes money for improving instructional technology, Harris said. School officials are also developing a long-term plan for upgrading technology at an estimated cost of $7.5 million for all schools.
by CNB