ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, April 26, 1997 TAG: 9704280056
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: FINCASTLE
SOURCE: RON NIXON THE ROANOKE TIMES
Education official says new teachers are needed because of the increase in students, and schools also need instructional materials.
The Botetourt County School Board will have to make do with a modest increase in its budget next year.
The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Friday to approve a budget that will give the school system an 11 percent increase rather than the 34.5 percent the School Board had requested.
That means the Botetourt school system will get a $1million increase rather than the $3.2 million it had hoped to get. It also means teachers will not get an anticipated 7 percent raise and the School Board might not be able to hire new teachers or buy new buses.
At a public hearing on the budget earlier this month, many parents raised concerns about the limited number of buses available. One parent told the supervisors that her children had a 23-mile bus ride - even though the school was visible from her home. She cited the lack of buses as the reason.
Supervisor Wendy Wingo raised the issue before the board voted on the budget. Wingo suggested the board come back at a later date and give the School Board a one-time appropriation after it has completed a needs assessment.
Even so, teachers who attended the supervisors' meeting said the approved budget was inadequate.
"The things that the superintendent and the School Board are asking for weren't frills," said Tricia Swortzel, a teacher at Colonial Elementary. "They are asking for things we need."
"The problem is that the supervisors are not thinking ahead," said Botetourt Education Association President Lois Switzer. "When it comes to sewer treatment systems and economic development, they are. But not when it comes to education."
Switzer said new teachers are needed because of the increase in students. She said schools also need instructional materials and enclosed classrooms.
"We don't want to be pitted against the sheriff and other departments," Switzer said. "We understand that they need money, too. But we've been asked to wait and wait and wait, and nothing has happened."
LENGTH: Short : 49 linesby CNB