Roanoke Co. School Board approves new budget

    The Roanoke County School Board approved the 2008-2009 budget at last night’s meeting.  Among the things included in the $143,223,216 budget are pay raises for most of the staff.  Teachers will get a 4% pay increast plus a 1% market adjustment.  Administrative and classified employees will also see a 4% pay increase.  Market adjustments will be made for some classified pay scales.  The Board also approved increases in health and dental insurance benefits.
    About $3.2 million in debt service will be used to renovate Cave Spring Elementary, Green Valley Elementary, Masons Cove Elementary and Mount Pleasant Elementary.
    The Board also allocated more money for fuel and utility costs.
    Roanoke County Superintendent Dr. Lorraine Lange says, “This is one of the best budgets we have ever put together.  We are pleased to provide raises for our teachers and staff despite a lack of raises from the General Assembly.“
  According to a news release from Roanoke County, the 2008-2009 buget is six percent, or $8.1 million higher than the 2007-2008 budget.  The additional money is due in part to additional state funding as a result of state re-benchmarking.