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171 <br /> <br /> Dr. Gunter stated that she felt the discussion was beneficial <br />and showed the need to further study the proposed methodology, <br />but added that she also felt it was important to understand why <br />the State felt it necessary to mandate teacher salary increases. <br /> <br /> Delegate Van Yahres responded that some localities were <br />ignoring increasing teacher salaries, but stated that he felt <br />each locality should be looked at individually. <br /> <br /> Mr. Buck stated that he felt the objective could be <br />accomplished by including a "maintenance of effort" clause. <br /> <br /> Dr. Vincent Cibbarelli, Superintendent of City Schools, <br />stated that he supported full funding for the standards of <br />learning and that while he favored giving teachers another 10% <br />salary increase, Charlottesville would be unable to do so in <br />the coming year because of decreasing revenues. Dr. Cibbarelli <br />stated that he felt it was important to maintain a iow teacher- <br />pupil ratio. Dr. Cibbare!li recommended putting a moritorium <br />on the JLARC methodology until more is known. <br /> <br /> Dr. Andrew Overstreet, Superintendent of Albemarle County <br />Schools, stated that it was important to understand what the <br />teacher salary increases will cost the localities. Dr. Overstreet <br />read a resolution in response to the proposed State legislation <br />adopted by the Albemarle County School Board on January 28th <br />which included the following: 1) the methodology is not <br />appropriate, 2) localities are penalized f~or having a low <br />teacher-pupil ratio, 3) localities are penalized forhaving <br />high quality fringe benefits, and 4) the indices are based on <br />arbitrary conclusions. Dr. Overstreet added that the County <br />supported the appointment of a committee to study the standards <br />of quality. <br /> <br /> Mr. Fisher stated that it was his understanding~ that <br />Albemarle County would not be exempt from the 10% increase as <br />had originally been told the legislators. <br /> <br /> Dr. Overstreet stated that a mistake had been made in the <br />assumption that there had been no turnover in teachers. <br /> <br /> Dr'. Virginia Schatz, City School Board member, questioned <br />how the recent increases that Virginia had made in teacher <br />salaries compared with national increases. <br /> <br /> Ms. Martha Wood, President of the Albemarle County <br />Education Association, responded that the State has made <br />efforts in the last biennium but still lagged behind due to <br />the lack of increases in the previous decades. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lindstrom questioned how Virginia compared nationally <br />with regard to standardized test scores. <br /> <br /> Dr. Cibbarelli responded that Virginia exceeded the national <br />average in standardized test scores. <br /> <br /> Mr. Buck stated 'that he felt mandating teacher salary <br />increases was contrary to the concept that local governments <br />are responsible for school systems and does not recognize <br />local issues or the implications for the City's overall budget. <br />Mr. Buck added that Charlottesville has been committed to <br />raising teacher salaries but is faced with losses in federal <br />general revenue sharing funds and increases in insurance also. <br /> <br /> Ms. Eileen Akers, President of the Charlottesville Education <br />Association, stated that while she believes in the State <br />proposals, some qualifiers may be necessary. <br /> <br /> Mr. Buck stated that he felt that the proposals pen~alized <br />localities who have attempted to improve teacher salaries and <br />added that he felt the problem was not with the goal, but with <br /> <br /> the~ans ~ <br />ting was adjourned. <br /> <br />President <br /> <br /> <br />