THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, April 25, 1995 TAG: 9504250281
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
The Dare County Board of Commissioners Monday approved a tentative budget that would provide just over $7 million for county schools in fiscal 1995-96, and almost $7.3 million for fiscal 1996-97. The proposal includes $750,000 for technology in each of the two fiscal years, and funding for 13 new teachers in the 1995-96 school year.
The commissioners approved the proposal by a 5-1 vote, with Commissioner Shirley Hassell opposing the plan. The education package is still subject to a public hearing and a final vote by the county's governing body. A 3-cent increase in real estate taxes will be needed to pay for the plan.
If approved by the board, property taxes would increase from 37 to 40 cents per $100 of property value. The owner of a $100,000 home would pay $30 more in property taxes.
Commission Chairman Robert V. ``Bobby'' Owens Jr. called the proposed budget the beginning of a ``new era'' for the county's schools. Owens was also optimistic about public acceptance of the tax increase.
``I think the people will be receptive to this,'' Owens said. ``As long as people understand that this is not going for bricks and mortar, or administration. This money will go where it belongs - to teachers, students, and into the classroom.''
Hassell said she voted against the budget ``as a matter of conscience.'' She noted that while Dare County ranks as one of North Carolina's top systems, the state's schools nationally rank near the bottom.
``I'm all for quality education for our children,'' Hassell said. ``I look at the fact that Dare County ranks higher in the lowest of states. I think we need to concentrate more on the basics and the three R's.''
She added, ``I'm opposed to $160,000 for technology teachers. I'm opposed to $60,000 for the information highway, and to $750,000 for technology. These computers are going to have to be upgraded. We're a rich county, but we're not that rich.''
Hassell also said that a member of the School Board had told her that 40 computers were discarded in the Dare County landfill.
However, School Superintendent Leon Holleman said the only computers discarded by the school district were those ruined by salt water when Hurricane Emily hit Cape Hatteras School in August 1993. He said he would investigate Hassell's complaint.
Commissioner Sammy Smith pointed out that three counties use the Dare County landfill.
When asked which board member told her of the discarded computers, Hassell responded, ``I'd rather not say.''
Holleman said the increased expenditures on technology will pay big dividends for the county as a whole in the next century.
``Technology is not a separate issue,'' when talking about education basics Holleman said. ``What you and I considered the basics during our school years aren't that way anymore. Technology is a basic tool used to enhance those basic skills.''
A draft copy of the entire county budget for fiscal 1995-97 will be released to the public on May 2. ILLUSTRATION: BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
$750,000 in each of the next four years for technology
improvements.
Five new technology teachers, as well as eight additional
teachers in the area of English and reading, as well as to offset
anticipated growth in the student population. The new teachers,
officials say, will keep the instructor/student ratio at a
reasonable level.
$240,000 in 1996-97 for a merit pay plan, based on teacher
performance in the 1995-96 school year.
$250,000 in each fiscal year for roof repairs to county schools.
by CNB