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223 would allocate the typical increase to the schools in the budget. Mr. Toscano suggested that the schools show what they can do the first year, and then down the road the City may have to increase the allocation to the schools. Mr. Lynch said that Alexandria, which has similar demographics to Charlottesville, has successful SOL scores~ and asked what differences there are between the two systems. Mr. Lynch said he is concerned that a decision has already been made that we need to raise salaries and need to find the money, when he feels what we need to do is to increase the quality of teaching. Mr. Lynch said it is not apparent you get better quality by increasing salaries. Mr. Lynch said that if teachers are not performing we could address that problem without increasing salaries. Mr. Lynch said that hopefully we will be getting better funding for schools from the state. Dr..Symons said a decision has not been made, but he is trying to test the climate to see if the situation is tolerable, and said he is getting mixed responses. Dr. Symons noted that Alexandria is one of the best paying districts in the state, and said that the key is not just to have high salaries, but to have other things in place as welt. Mr. Steve Campbell, School Board Chair, said that the instructional time of teachers has to be increased. Mr. Cox said he wants to know what the School Board is doing to be united in this and what they are going to be doing as ambassadors for the schools. Ms. Pdchards said she wants to know where the School Board is on this issue, and she agrees with Mr. Cox that this needs to be a School Board/community process. Ms. Richards said it is refreshing that the Schools are not coming to the City first for more money. Ms. Richards said she feels we do have to maintain a competitive edge and thinks it is the right approach to Support it. Ms. Richards said that examining the system and restructuring is where she feels we should be going, Mr. l~dchard Merriwether, School Board member, said he will certainly be an ambassador for the schools and the proposal, and thinks the Superintendent has been on the right track and this is the only way to do it. Mr, Merdwether Said administrative salaries also need to be improved. Mr. Merriwether said the only way to get experienced teachers is to increase salaries and thinks the community wilt support it if the School Board rallies behind it. Mr. John Santoski, School Board member, agreed with Mr. Merriwether. Mr. Santoski said it is a complicated issue, but an inevitable one, Ms. Didi Smith, School Board member, said she has no problem with what Dr. Symons says, but does have a problem looking at only that and thinks the Schools need to look at other things other than cutting staff. Ms. Smith said the system has a lot of buildings, many of which are not full, and there is a need to deal with cultural issues, especially the issue of transient students. Ms. Wiggins said she wants teachers out who are damaging students, and the schools need quality teachers who can teach diverse students. Ms. Wiggins said she applauds Dr. Symons' efforts. Mr. Lynch said he thinks it needs to be framed as a quality issue. Mr. Cox said he thinks the issue of people bypassing the School Board and going directly to Council has to be addressed, and the School Board has to provide a process for the. public to be involved. Ms. Richards asked who will be making decisions regarding redeployment of staff, and Dr. Symons said that the parameters of the decision will be made at central office, and each school will be told what mount of cuts need to be made. Ms. Richards said that is the point at which to engage the public.