THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 26, 1996 TAG: 9605250146
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Denise Watson
LENGTH: 65 lines
Here's a look at some of the actions from Monday night's meeting of the Chesapeake School Board. Raise for superintendent
School Board members voted to give Superintendent W. Randolph Nichols a 7.3 percent raise, boosting his $102,475 base salary to $110,000. His travel allowance has also been increased from $5,000 to $6,000.
When Nichols moved from a deputy superintendent to the superintendent's seat last summer, he told the board he would keep his salary of $102,020 and receive the same 2.25 percent pay increase as other employees.
``When he discussed it with the board, he told them he really wanted to be superintendent,'' said Ed Hughes, clerk of the board.
``If they felt he did a good job during the year, then they could give him a bigger increase,' Hughes said. ``And that's what they did this year.''
Norfolk's superintendent receives $131,000 a year and Virginia Beach's $120,000.
The 3.7 percent salary increase for other school employees will begin July 1. Chairman steps down
School Board chairman Maury Brickhouse, whose term ends June 30, resigned from his seat to nominate vice chairman Barbara Head to succeed him in directing the board.
Head received a unanimous vote to the new seat. Board member Roderic Taylor was elected vice chairman.
School Board tradition calls for the chairman to step down a few weeks before new School Board members begin their terms. This allows the former chairman to help the new chairman adjust to the role.
Four new members begin their terms on July 1. The School Board will vote again on the chairman and vice chairman seats to give new members a chance at the positions.
Brickhouse has been on the board for 5 1/2 years and has served as chairman for the past 14 months.
Monday night, he referred to his time on the board as ``the most enjoyable journey.'' Money matters
The monthly budget report included a number of unanticipated expenses in the district's $174.1 million 1995-96 budget. But Davida Mutter, assistant superintendent for budget and finance, assured the board that money from other parts of the budget can cover the shortfalls.
For example, a student recently spilled a vial of mercury that she had brought to school. The school district paid about $18,000 for clean-up and to replace mercury thermometers in the schools with thermometers without the substance.
In addition, the cost of materials and supplies to maintain the district's buildings and grounds also exceeded the amount budgeted. But savings in energy and utility accounts, some personnel, supply and equipment accounts will offset the deficits.
In addition, money generated within the school division, such as through rent and tuition, is expected to bring in about $200,000 more than budgeted and Federal Impact Aid revenue, given to districts with significant military populations, is expected to be at least $166,000 more than originally anticipated. by CNB