Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 5, 1994 TAG: 9405050129
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: W-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHARLES STEBBINS
DATELINE: NEW CASTLE LENGTH: Medium
Schools, however, probably will open Aug. 29. School board members were considering opening schools on Aug. 22 but changed to Aug. 29 after several teachers said two weeks before Labor Day is too early.
Parents and teachers told the school board that August can be hot, and classrooms in non-air conditioned school buildings can be uncomfortable. Some also said they have already made vacation plans for the Labor Day weekend.
After a long discussion, the board asked Superintendent Dallas Helems to prepare a school calendar, based on an Aug. 29 opening. Board members said they would set an exact date after seeing the calendar.
Craig schools used to open before Labor Day. But, several years ago the Virginia General Assembly, at the urging of the tourist industry, decided schools could not open until after Labor Day to avoid conflicts with the last big holiday of the summer.
During its last session, however, the General Assembly added provisions for granting waivers to school divisions that lose 10 or more days because of bad weather and meet several other conditions. Craig qualified.
In other action:
The board approved a 3 percent salary increase for teachers and other personnel for the 1994-95 school year. With the increase, Craig's starting teacher salary will be $23,600 with a top salary of $35,300 after 21 years.
Board members voted to start a preschool program in September so handicapped preschoolers won't have to attend programs outside the county.
Board members also voted to continue a tutorial program and to apply for a $9,500 state Department of Education grant for the program, which has 41 students and is part of the system's dropout prevention effort.
by CNB