1996-03-27 - Laserfiche WebLink

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45 Slaughter said she would like to see measures designed to see if the program helps the targeted group. Mr. Jack Marshall said that Beating the Odds has community support, fits a high priority need, builds on existing expertise of a good program, and will be cost effective. Ms. Daugherty, Rev. Edwards, and Ms. Slaughter supported funding for Beating the Odds ($22,816). Councilors supported additional funding for Summer Youth Works ($502). Councilors tentatively agreed to reduce the rent for the Virginia Discovery Museum to $100 per month. Regarding funding for the alternative school director, Ms. Slaughter said a School Board member has requested that the issue be returned to the School Board for consideration. Rev. Edwards said he wants to send a message to the School Board that the salary of central office administration should come out of the school's general fund. Rev. Edwards said he thinks the alternative school should have a summer school since it is ~owing, even though he does not like the fact that Councilors were not informed about the program. Ms. Daugherty said she agrees that the alternative summer school should be funded, but does not agree that Council should reduce the funding for the director. Ms. Slaughter said she feels the alternative school summer school should be a policy decision made by the School Board and recommended that they discuss the matter. Mr. O'Connell said that two four-year old classrooms could be added for $64,000, and added that the funds could be used for four-year old classes elsewhere, not just by the schools. Councilors tentatively agreed to provide the funding for two additional four-year old classrooms. Ms. Slaughter asked if the schools have discussed with Headstart the possibility of their providing the classes. Ms. Daugherty said she thinks the program in the school is stronger than Headstart and prior to exploring the issue with Headstart, she would tike to have a comparison of the two programs. Ms. Daugherty suggested that $100,000 be given to the schools to raise base teacher salaries. Mr. O'Connell said that providing $100,000 would raise starting teacher salaries by $100, and noted that he believes the School Board would prefer to increase teacher salaries throughout the pay scale, not only at the base level. Mr. Toscano arrived at the meeting. Ms. Daugherty said she would prefer to only raise people in the first step~ Mr. Toscano said that if Councilors think teacher salaries should be raised, then the $100,000 could be set aside and the School Board should determine how it should be done. Mr. Toscano noted that increasing the teacher salaries in this way will create more financial problems for the City in the near future.