THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 16, 1995 TAG: 9504150140
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Vanee Vine
LENGTH: Medium: 94 lines
Here's a look at several highlights from Thursday's School Board meeting.
Charles H. Bowens II, Richard B. Crawford, Leah Stith and Louise ``Sis'' Walden were absent. Budget woes continue
The board unanimously voted to reshuffle approximately $900,000 in the current operating budget to cover some bills and buy things for next school year with this year's money because finances will be even tighter in 1995-96.
During March budget discussions, Superintendent Richard D. Trumble told board members the administration would have to free up about $1 million in the current budget to help balance next school year's day-to-day spending plan, which City Council has yet to approve.
The $900,000 will pay for renovation work at S.H. Clarke; textbooks; and three replacement and eight new buses.
The money also will cover a $125,000 debt owed to a company running the district's alternative program as well as a $200,000 bill for the regional alternative program at Emily Spong.
Even with the reshuffling, however, the district still needs to come up with $270,000 to help convert three centers into regular elementary schools - Clarke, Emily Spong and Mount Hermon.
The belt tightening will be felt immediately. Hit hard are funds for consultants; a variety of new equipment and equipment repairs; classroom and office supplies; travel; and staff development.
The cuts may not end there.
City Manager V. Wayne Orton proposed that local taxpayers spend another $1 million less on schools in 1995-96.
On Thursday, Trumble presented the board with areas that would be further cut if that happens. Many already had been drastically reduced.
School maintenance and staff training could each take another hit, for example.
Overtime pay could become a thing of the past for most workers.
Money set aside to help school-improvement teams of parents, teachers and principals craft achievement plans and pay for student activities would be reduced.
Trumble also said he would review an administrative restructuring plan with the goal of eliminating more administrative jobs.
The council is scheduled to adopt the budget on April 25. Milburn to go
The board unanimously voted to fire Richard M. Milburn High, the private company now running the district's alternative education program.
The one-year contract won't be renewed when it expires in June.
Last summer, the board hired Milburn for about $400,000 to serve troubled students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
The district's own program was scrapped when it lost its home at S.H. Clarke. That building has been under renovation. Milburn also has contracts with the Norfolk and Virginia Beach districts.
Portsmouth will again run its own program. Darnell Johnson, former principal of Portsmouth's New Directions alternative education center, will lead the effort.
The district plans to rent commercial space for the program this fall, Trumble said.
For the past several months, parents, school officials and a handful of citizens have complained about Milburn's failure to firmly connect with parents, stay on top of record-keeping duties or closely supervise students to make sure they were on track.
At the end of the first semester, the district took over the elementary school portion of Milburn's program. The administration said those students were not well served.
On Thursday, company representatives told board members administrative problems were smoothed out after Milburn recently hired a new leader for the local program.
They urged the board to check out things now.
Last month, Milburn moved classes to 2106 County St. from sites at Noble Street Baptist Church and Calvary Evangelical Baptist on Gust Lane. Manual available for review
Residents can review proposed changes in the district's policy manual at schools and public libraries around town. The administration has yet to schedule a time for citizens and others to comment on proposed changes. In other matters
The district didn't include extra money in the 1995-96 budget to add four classes to Park View's Montessori program, but students who are now second-graders will continue in the program as third-graders next year.
Classrooms already are equipped to serve students in kindergarten through third grade, Principal Gwendolyn Watkins said.
During March budget discussions, Trumble erroneously said the program wouldn't be expanded to serve third-graders next school year.
KEYWORDS: PORTSMOUTH SCHOOLS PORTSMOUTH SCHOOL BUDGET by CNB