Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 5, 1995 TAG: 9511060066
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Here's what the school board candidates in Western Virginia had to say on the subject of increasing county taxes to provide more money for schools.
Would you support an increase in county taxes to provide more money for schools?
Bedford County
District 1:
Russell "Butch" Wright: ``Yes. Tax increases are always unpopular. However, a number of years ago we conducted a survey in our school communities, and approximately 80 percent of those responding supported an increase."
Wesley Gordon Jr. : Did not respond.
District 5:
Eugene Erb: ``Bedford County is the fastest growing county west of Interstate 95. As the county grows, a proportional share of the revenue is allocated to the school division. The Board of Supervisors realizes the need for the school budget to increase as the enrollment increases.''
Betty Earle: Did not respond.
District 6:
Hunter Hale Jr.: "The last several budgets that I had the privilege to work on were supported and funded fully by the Bedford County Board of Supervisors. Bedford County's population is growing at better than 200 students per year, which brings in extra funds from the state. With this increase and additional funds coming from grants, the county supplies the funding needed."
Shirley McCabe: Did not respond.
District 7:
Stanley Butler: ``Only if it were clearly evident that our education system was deteriorating because of the lack of financial resources. First we need to maximize our usage of our educational financial resources. Let's get the most bang for our buck."
Benny Shrader: "No. Fortunately, Bedford County's growth rate is providing additional funds without the need for increased tax rates."
Botetourt County
Valley District:
Michael Beahm: ``Before I would advocate and publicly support an increase in county taxes to provide more money for our schools, I would like to better understand our current tax collections and allocation system. If we put a little less into cash reserves, there may be more dollars available for education under the current rate."
Fincastle District:
Sally Eads: "Given the current revenues and the fiscally conservative manner in which the county has been managed, a tax increase is not warranted at this time."
David Emeigh: "No. Not immediately. Let's first make sure that we are not wasting tax money."
L.W. "Jack" Leffel Jr.: ``Only if I fervently believed it was crucial to improve the education of students."
Blue Ridge District:
James Ruhland: Did not respond.
Craig County:
Alleghany District:
James Cady: Did not respond.
Simmonsville District:
Bonnie Hutchison: Did not respond.
Rodney Williams: Did not respond.
New Castle District:
Thomas Zimmerman: Did not respond.
Two at-large seats:
Patrick Myers: Did not respond.
Brenda Allen: Did not respond.
Robert Knepp: "No. If state monies were not so regulated as to their area of expenditure, then different school systems could shuffle those monies to the projects within their school system that have the greatest needs. Freedom of that money would result in possible lower overall costs and better management."
Hettie Farley: Did not respond.
Floyd County
District A:
Clay Link: Did not respond.
District B:
David Sulzen: "I personally would not mind paying more taxes if I knew they would go toward education, but do not believe the people of Floyd County can afford to pay more taxes at this time. I believe the additional funding should come from the state."
Cheryl Whitlock-Allen: Did not respond.
District C:
Howard Cundiff Jr.: Did not respond.
District D:
Marie Mathis: "No. The lottery funds should go for education."
Margaret Hubbard: Did not respond.
District E:
Douglas Phillips: Did not respond.
Louellen Sharp: Did not respond.
Franklin County
Blackwater District:
Shirley Jamison: Did not respond.
Van Flora: "No."
Boone District:
Guy Buford: Did not respond.
Snow Creek District:
Terry Lovell: "No, not at this time."
G.B. Washburn Jr.: "No. We must increase our tax base and spur interest and incentives for individuals and businesses to invest in the education and future of our children."
Union Hall District:
Perry D. Hambrick: "Yes. People tend to forget that the people on local boards also pay taxes. They seem to believe that they are the only ones who are being taxed. No one likes taxes, but you very seldom get anything free - especially a good education."
Rocky Mount District:
Steve Flora: Did not respond.
Gills Creek District:
Jack Newbill: Did not respond.
One at-large seat:
Amanda Davis: ``It depends on what the need was for an increase in funding, and whether or not I thought the increased funding was justified."
William Helm Jr.: Did not respond.
Giles County:
Western District:
J. Lewis Webb: Did not respond.
Central District:
Joseph Gollehon: Did not respond.
Carolyn Linkous: Did not respond.
Mary-Paul "Widget" Shannon: "No. The Board of Supervisors has been pretty good lately about giving the schools what they ask for."
Eastern District:
Jeffrey Wiegand: "Yes, for specific educational programs that would strengthen academic standards."
Ronald Whitehead: Did not respond.
Two at-large seats:
J.B. Buckland: Did not respond.
John Billos: Did not respond.
Phillip Morris: Did not respond.
Montgomery County
District B:
Robert Anderson: "No. We need to learn to live within our means. I believe if we look at every aspect of school spending, we will find that monies can be administered better."
Bernard Jortner: "As a School Board member, I would not have authority to raise local or state taxes. ... My first inclination would be to examine a reordering of priorities or possibly efficiency. ... Raising taxes should only be considered as a last resort."
Oscar Williams: "While I do not favor an increase in county taxes, if there was no other way to obtain the funds needed to ensure or maintain quality educational standards for our youth, I would publicly support an increase in county taxes provided these taxes are short term and specifically dedicated to identified educational needs.''
District E:
Jack LeDoux: ``No. Proper administration would reduce costs."
Victor Sheppard: Did not respond.
Michael Smith: Did not respond.
District F:
Richard Edwards: ``No. Tax increases are politically unrealistic, and frankly not necessary if certain steps were taken. A clear prioritizing of funding is required. Hard choices need to be made by the school board."
James Klagge: ``Yes. In fact, I already have. I spoke at the Board of Supervisors' public hearing on the tax rate in February. Since the School Board does not control the size of its own budget, it needs to have members speak out, and can inspire others to speak out, for financial support for quality education.''
District G:
Peggy Arrington: "I do support an increase in county taxes to provide more money for the schools. I would like to see the county provide at least a 5 percent increase per year to the schools''
Wat Hopkins: ``Yes. A small increase would not overburden taxpayers and could create sufficient revenue for education."
Pulaski County
Ingles District:
Ronald Chaffin: ``No. We need to look at alternative ways to support education, such as partnerships with business. Public education is a state responsibility that is shared with local governments."
Barbara Chrisley: "Yes, if this proved to be the only means of getting the revenue."
Robinson District:
Sybil Atkinson: ``No. Any revenue for future growth and construction should come from bond issues, just as our countywide computer implementation did a few years ago."
Rhea Saltz: Did not respond.
Massie District:
Jeff Bain: "Yes, if there was a valid reason for which I could justify to both myself and my fellow citizens a request for an increase. Further, any increase could only be requested and supported when every effort has been made to assure existing funds were utilized in the most efficient manner."
Nathan Tuck: "Only as a last resort and if areas of cuts and other sources of funds were exhausted."
Draper District:
Lewis Pratt: Did not respond.
Cloyd District:
Beth Nelson: ``In order to gain the additional resources necessary, it may be possible to reorder priorities and increase funding for schools from current revenue. If that were possible, I would support that approach. ... I would consider adding to the tax burden of our citizens only as a last resort."
Carolyn Brown: "No, because our senior citizens and retired citizens cannot afford tax increases. We need to get more support at the state level."
Roanoke County
Catawba District:
William "Bill" Brown: "No. We are taxed enough already."
John Reed: ``There needs to be more effort on the efficient use of the money available. The county and the school system are top-heavy with administrators."
Marion Roark: Did not respond.
Cave Spring District:
William Irvin III: "No. This answer is subject to review as our quality of education changes, but at present I would not advocate increased taxes."
Carol White: "No."
Vern Jordahl: ``More efficient use of allocated monies should be explored first. ... An increase in county taxes may be necessary, but an increase should be considered as a last resort and even then, most selectively.''
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB