THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 21, 1996 TAG: 9602200060
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LINDA MCNATT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ISLE OF WIGHT LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
The county's schools superintendent says her proposed 1996-97 operating budget isn't finished yet, and already it's stressed out:
It proposes hiring nine new teachers to handle more students expected in the schools this fall.
It calls for $320,000 for replacement and additional buses.
Its debt service cost is $200,000 above last year's.
And, Superintendent Jane York told the School Board at its last meeting, teachers need a raise.
New teachers alone could cost the system $374,000, and board members agreed they would like to see existing teachers get a raise of at least 4.5 percent this year.
``What we have done is play catch-up a little bit,'' York said. ``Teachers have gotten an average of 2.5 percent - actually, 3.2 percent last year.''
Because the county schools for so long paid teachers less than nearby localities, ``our salary scale needs continued emphasis,'' board Chairman Richard Peerey said.
Joseph A. Buggs, president of the Isle of Wight Education Association, told the board his group wants that much and more: a 5 percent increase for teachers. They also want one additional personal-leave day and a $2,500 increase for those with a master's degree.
Despite what looks like a belt-tightening budget, Herb DeGroft, board member representing the Hardy District, continued to press for a request that he made at an earlier budget work session: a drug-sniffing dog. York told the board that acquiring one could take another big bite out of the operating budget.
In a letter to the superintendent, Sheriff Charlie Phelps said just a dog would cost at least $7,000. Add to that, Phelps said, $2,000-plus for a kennel, dog house, food and health care and an amount that can't be determined for liability insurance.
Instead, Phelps suggested that the board contribute to the cost of his department hiring another deputy, one who could be dedicated to working in the schools and expanding the existing drug resistance education program. Phelps even offered an experienced deputy from his department in exchange for the board helping to pay for an entry-level deputy's position.
``They do have a local dog as well as a state dog we could use,'' York said. ``In my opinion, I'd rather have a deputy who has access to a dog than for us to be responsible for one.''
Peerey disageed that a drug-finding dog is necessary.
``Why not?'' DeGroft asked.
``We just talked about why not,'' Peerey said. ``I'm not aware that we're in such a dire state of violent behavior in our schools that we need a deputy on hand eight hours a day when we have a Sheriff's Department.''
Meanwhile, York will continue to work on the proposed budget for the next two weeks, while the Virginia General Assembly continues to work on how much in state funding each school district will receive. That, York told the board, is still unknown. by CNB