ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, February 25, 1996 TAG: 9602270010
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: Guest Column
SOURCE: ANNETTE S. PERKINS
After hours of deliberations with the assistance of teachers, administrators, staff and citizens, the Montgomery County School Board has developed an operating budget for the county schools next year.
This budget is founded on the direction offered by the Focus 2006 Commission recommendations, and comments from you, the citizens of Montgomery County, through public hearings and personal contacts.
We need your support as we submit this budget to the Board of Supervisors for its deliberation.
It is important to understand that the Board of Supervisors is limited in its means to raise funds to provide county services.
The supervisors need to know that you, the citizens, will support them in their efforts to provide necessary funds for our schools. If the requested funds are not forthcoming, it will be necessary for the School Board to begin the painful process of eliminating some of the programs and equipment deemed vital to the education of our youth.
This budget is consistent with the mission statement and goals established by the Montgomery County School Board.
We have emphasized lowering class size, supporting planning time for elementary teachers, providing adequate compensation for our employees, and continuing our progressive steps in technology.
We have followed your lead; we have trusted your judgment; we are now, more than ever before, seeking your support for a budget that will make an already good system even better.
We hope you will take time to look over this document. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact any School Board member or our superintendent, Dr. Herman G. Bartlett, Jr.
If you do support this budget, please call or write your Board of Supervisors member and let him know how you feel. These personal contacts are most effective this month when the supervisors will be making decisions about what tax increase to consider.
By March 8, they will determine the maximum tax rate and submit it for public debate.
The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing March 21 for citizen input on the budget. We encourage as many citizens as possible to speak out for education in Montgomery County by voicing their support for the 1996-97 Montgomery County School Board Operating Budget.
Annette S. Perkins is chairwoman of the Montgomery County School Board.
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