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

DATE: THURSDAY, January 26, 1995                   TAG: 9501260096
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: MELISSA DeVAUGHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

MONTGOMERY SCHOOL BOARD PASSES BUDGET

The superintendent's proposed budget passed the Montgomery County School Board easily this week, a sharp contrast to last year's effort which brought criticism from the board, parents and teachers.

The board made no changes to Superintendent Herman Bartlett's proposed $49.3 million budget, which includes a 4 percent teacher salary increase, new buses and myriad new programs from the county's Six-Year Improvement Plan. The budget's next stop is before the county's Board of Supervisors, which must grant final approval.

"The superintendent has presented you with a responsible budget that appears to put children first in its endeavor to maintain lower class sizes," said B.J. Mullins, president of the Montgomery County Education Association. Last year, association members criticized Bartlett for ignoring their input in the budget process.

The same change of heart was apparent with PTA representatives.

Regina Smith, president of the Montgomery County Council of PTAs, praised the superintendent for a budget that "reflects well, not only the wishes of the community, but the genuine needs of this school system."

All six speakers delivered a similar message: if the budget is cut by the Board of Supervisors - which is likely - continue to keep lower class sizes a priority. The speakers also asked the board not to begin any new programs until the ones already in place are fully funded.

While all nine board members voted in favor of the budget, not everyone was pleased with the process in which it was approved. Most of the new programs earmarked for funding in the proposed budget come from the county's Six-Year Plan for Improvement, which the board has not yet approved. By approving the budget, it appears that the board has bought into the entire Six-Year Plan, argued board member Dick Edwards.

Edwards became further agitated when another board member cut him short as he was asking questions about a program slated for $45,000 in funding under the proposed budget. The rigorous academic program, called International Baccalaureate, is designed to prepare high school students for a world-class education. The program is relatively new, and Edwards, as well as board member Annette Perkins, wanted to know more about it.

Instead they were cut off when board member David Moore pressed the the rest of the board to vote on the budget.

Trying to ease the tension, Chairman Roy Vickers said: "I've never agreed 100 percent with the entire budget. I've always felt there's at least one item that needs more discussion. But there is overall support."

by CNB