ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, March 26, 1997 TAG: 9703260082
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: S.D. HARRINGTON THE ROANOKE TIMES
The amount of raises proposed for teachers varies, depending on their experience.
The Salem School Board adopted a $25.8 million budget for 1997-98 Tuesday night. The budget will be sent to City Council for approval in May.
It includes raises averaging 3.5 percent for teachers and a 5 percent raise for school bus drivers.
The raises will vary according to experience, said Salem Superintendent Wayne Tripp. Beginning teaching salaries will increase 3 percent, for example.
Tripp said Salem schools had the sixth-highest starting salaries in the state last year. And he said he doesn't expect the school division to slip by much in the ranking next year with the 3 percent raise.
Also included in the 1997-98 budget is a 10-cent increase in the price of school lunches and breakfasts and money for an additional teaching position, a second technology specialist and a third school nurse.
The $25.8 million budget is a 3.4 percent increase over last year's amended budget. One third of the revenues for the school system's operating fund are from the state and just over 50 percent are from the city. Federal funding and sales tax revenues make up about 10 percent.
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