Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 8, 1995 TAG: 9507100046
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
Wright told the board Thursday that preliminary estimates suggest enough money will be left over from the fiscal year just ended to cover the cost of the expansion projects at Belle Heth and McHarg elementaries. The total price tag of the new rooms is just under $320,000.
Including the cost of the projects and $70,000 for other work, the school system is "pretty close to breaking even" for the 1994-95 budget year, Wright said, pointing to a tentative $422,000 cash balance as of June 30. The figure does not include all payables and receivables, he noted.
"I'm cautiously optimistic we'll be in the black, and we'll be able to pay the full price for the art and music additions."
Wright said the big unknown at this point is how revenue from state sales tax receipts for June will pan out.
"Film at eleven on that one," Wright joked, referring to the annual audit to be done this month. The actual numbers won't be known until the audit is done.
The superintendent said that despite the recent wet weather, both school projects have kept close to schedule. At Belle Heth, the footings for the new structure have been installed and contractors will be able to start laying brick soon, he said. Footing work is just under way at McHarg.
Both projects should be ready by the start of the new school year, he told the board.
In other action, board members re-elected Guy Gentry as chairman and Chip Craig as vice chairman. Jean Smith was reappointed as clerk, and Randy Wright was named again as deputy clerk.
The board also agreed to let Wright sign documents for federal Title I money to help pupils needing extra reading or math help. Elementary Education Director Bruce Criswell said funding is "very, very tentative," but early indications were the city's schools could get $1,500 more this year than last.
Criswell also suggested the board look into using electronic classroom technology to provide General Educational Development preparation programs to City Jail inmates.
Gentry called the suggestion "an exciting possibility."
Following a long executive session, the board went along with a suggestion from Craig to have Wright formally request the status of capital improvement money from the city. City Council has been pondering ways to pay for several capital projects, including school additions and major improvements to the city's water treatment plant.
Council has penciled in slightly more than $1 million for various school projects.
The board also set a tentative agenda for its annual retreat in Charlottesville Aug. 4. Among other topics, members plan to discuss support services for technology, capital projects, student athletic programs - including finances - and possible changes to the school system's substitute teacher policies.
by CNB