Bedford Approves Shuffling of Classes: The School Board Also Voted to Forward a Budget Proposal to County Supervisors.

By Courtney Cutright, The Roanoke Times, Va.

Feb. 29–BEDFORD — Classes at two elementary schools will be shifted to make space for sixth-graders who currently are being taught at the county’s vocational school.

Beginning next school year, Bedford Primary School will house kindergartners, first- graders and second-graders, the school board decided Thursday night. Third, fourth, fifth and sixth grades will be taught at Bedford Elementary School.

Superintendent James Blevins recommended the change.

“This scenario would free up much needed space at BSTC [Bedford Science & Technology Center] for additional programs that would add to the diversity of career areas that we could provide educational training for,” Blevins said.

The school board unanimously voted to approve the change, despite concerns Blevins presented regarding parking and physical education classes.

Bedford Primary School does not have a gymnasium, but half of the funding for one is included in a budget proposal the board adopted Thursday.

The board voted 6-2 to forward a budget proposal to the county’s board of supervisors.

School board member Talbot Huff, who represents the Moneta District, said he opposes the proposed budget.

“I feel like we can get the budget where we can live with it without raising taxes,” he said.

Shirley McCabe, who represents the Montvale District, also voted against the proposed budget.

The highlight of the $110 million budget is a 5.8 percent pay raise for teachers. School board Chairman Gary Hostutler said the raises are part of a three-year push to catch the county’s teachers’ salaries up to the average of the eight surrounding localities. On average, teachers in Bedford County make $2,500 less annually than their peers in nearby localities.

“The salary increase doesn’t even get us where we really need to be,” said David Black, who represents the Huddleston District.

Black said he would have liked to see the board request more than it did.

“I am like everybody else, I don’t want to have to pay any more,” Liberty District representative Debbie Hoback said.

However, she said she felt strongly that measures, such as increasing salaries, should be taken to retain good teachers.

The board of supervisors will hold a public hearing in April to approve the county budget, which includes funding for the school system.

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