Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 5, 1995 TAG: 9504050065
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKII LENGTH: Medium
But the supervisors quickly zeroed in on the major factor among the proposed increases, the 4 percent salary raises for all employees, at a joint meeting with the School Board Monday night.
"If the salaries were so bad, you'd think the turnover rate would be significant," Supervisor Bruce Fariss said. Workers in other fields "do not expect, nor do they get, an increase each year," he said.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Jerry White said it seemed that Pulaski County teachers compare well salary-wise with nearby jurisdictions.
But school Superintendent Bill Asbury said the system still ranks behind the state and national average. "It's not something that we're proud of."
One reason the overall salary levels are as high as they are, Asbury said, is that Pulaski County has a large number of veteran teachers who have been in the system for a long time and gradually increased their salaries over the years. "So it's a false average. ... The maximum salaries help pull us up," Asbury said.
The School Board is asking for $500,000 more in county revenue for 1995-96, for a total local share of more than $8.3 million. That would be a 6.4 percent increase and amount to 33 percent of the total budget.
State funding provides 62 percent of the budget, and is expected to rise by 2.6 percent from the current $15.3 million to $15.7 million next year. Federal funding provides most of the rest of the budget, about 5 percent. The proposed budget reflects an overall increase of 3.7 percent.
"Every year, we have to come over here and ask you for help because we have nowhere else to go," Asbury told the supervisors.
School Board Chairman Ron Chaffin said the board has supported the school budget above what the state requires, and that the school system has managed to make educational improvements despite funding cuts at the state level.
Accomplishments include lowering the dropout rate among minorities, getting new initiatives in place including smaller classes at lower grades to help pupils master basic skills, and gradually bringing teachers' salaries in line with state and national levels. "It is imperative that we stay on the positive track that we are now on," Chaffin said.
"We're trying to make it controlled and measured change, and not just random and erratic change," Asbury said. "We are operating efficiently. We have to."
The School Board will meet at 7 p.m. tonight to discuss its cleaning contract with ServiceMaster for county schools, a proposed keyboarding class for sixth-grade students, and guidelines concerning religious activity in the schools.
by CNB