DRUG POLICY MEETS BUDGET AXE

BRISTOL, Va. - At the cost of funding its recently passed comprehensive
drug and alcohol policy, the city School Board narrowly approved a budget
for this school year.

The 3-2 vote for the $18.5 million budget came after extensive discussion
about whether the policy, which has been discussed for at least the past
five years, would be cut and how not funding it would affect the school system.

"As much as I don't want to see this go, I don't know what else to cut,"
said board member Jaymie Derden, who voted no. "I think it's bad practice
to have a policy that we don't follow. I think it sends an inconsistent
message to the public. I don't think we've ever done this before."

School and city officials met informally Tuesday morning and agreed that if
the school system would trim an additional $40,000 from its budget, that
the city would give it $75,000 for teacher raises. The board had budgeted
$46,000 for the drug policy.

The extra city money combined with the school money would allow for an
additional 1 percent raise for teachers. This year, teachers will earn a 2
percent raise, a step increase - or money for another year of service to
the school system - plus a 1 percent bonus.

"This is the only feasible way to get the extra percent (raise) for the
employees," said Vice Chairman Butch Tolley. "We've already cut into the
muscle (of the school system). I think that the amount (for the drug
program) sticks out to me. It would be the easiest way to offer our
employes the 3 percent increase. We owe it to them."

Last week, the School Board cut $146,000 in areas such as textbooks, summer
school, technology and substitutes to find money for an additional 1
percent teacher raise and to fund the comprehensive drug policy.

School administrators said they had to cut $636,000 from their budget
because of a decrease in city funding.

Newly elected board Chairman Randy White said he broke the tie and voted
yes because the school system needed a budget to function.

"We have to move on," he said. "I have worked for (this policy) for so
long, and I've seen how effective it is (in other places). ... It was a
huge concession."

The components of the drug policy that required money will not take effect,
invalidating much of it. The already hired program coordinator will be
shifted to another position, students who participate in extracurricular
activities will not be drug tested, and a student assistance counselor who
specifically deals with students' drug and alcohol issues will not be
available.

Board member Virginia Goodson also voted no to the budget because it didn't
contain money for the drug and alcohol policy and because it didn't include
a real 3 percent raise for teachers.

The school superintendent will send city officials a letter requesting that
$75,000 be appropriated to the school system during the City Council's
meeting next week