Minutes 04/27/1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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TUESDAY, APRH, 27, 1999 school and was told that one would be requested in the future. Dr. Trollinger then commented on the school system' s partnership with Adelphia Cable Television on creating a television studio in one of the classrooms of the Albert Harris School, the overall use of technology funds provided by the City, coordination of efforts with the City on the new Sonet fiber optic loop system, and the upcoming after-prom party to be held at Martinsville Speedway. Dr. Trollinger also noted $840,274 in technology needs had been identified for the coming year, and expressed the hope that much of the budget for maintenance of technology might be covered by Federal and/or State grant funds. Mayor Crabtree commended Dr. Trollinger on the school system's progress in capital improvements and technology, and asked if the capital needs plan had been followed and updated. Mr. Bill Lester, the School System's Maintenance Director, assured Council that the Maintenance plan had been followed and updated very well, and congratulated the School System leadership for ks careful use of funds. Dr. Trollinger then discussed budget related personnel and staffing issues, stating that the final request for positions was greatly reduced from the original requests put forward by staff, having gone from 25.5 requested positions to 2.5 positions. The greatest priorities stated were one new position for teaching the learning disabled, one half-time speech teacher, one half-time health nurse position and one half-time choir teacher. Council Member Roop asked why additional personnel were needed in an area where population was decreasing. Dr. Trollinger stated that reductions in personnel could be accomplished, but not without negative impact on the quality of education provided. He further stated that programming could not be made progressive, nor could smaller class sizes for primary grades with pupil/teacher ratios of 15:1 be accomplished. Council Member Roop expressed concern over the impact of the combination of Federal and State requirements and progressive programs on the cost of the system. Vice-NIayor Teague asked about line item budget figures, and asked what the actual increase requested in local dollars was, and was told that an increase of $369,845 in Operating Funds was being requested. Mr. Teague then noted what a large percentageof. General Fund revenues was being devoted to education. Council Member Dallas asked how impo,rt/g~'~n students were to the overall system. Dr. Trollinger responded that the gifted programs and the gen~at test scores benefited significantly from tuition students.