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SUPTS. MEMO. NO. 2
January 9, 1998 |
| TO: | Division Superintendents |
| FROM: | Richard T. La Pointe
Superintendent of Public Instruction |
| SUBJECT: | Certifications for At-Risk Programs and Teacher Salary Increases |
Chapter 924, 1997 Acts of the Assembly (Apporpriation Act), states that "Local school divisions are required to spend, as part of the required local expenditure for the Standards of Quality the established at-risk payment (state and local share) on approved programs for students who are educationally at-risk. To receive these funds, each school division shall certify to the Department of Education that the state and local shares of the at-risk payment will be used to support approved programs for students who are educationally at-risk. These programs may include: Dropout Prevention, Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), homework assistance, Project Discovery , Reading Recovery, programs for students who speak English as a second language, and programs related to increasing the success of disadvantaged students in completing a high school degree and providing opportunities to encourage further education and training." Attachment A is a form that must be signed by the superintendent certifying that these designated funds are being spent on students who are educationally at-risk. The General Assembly approved the state share of a payment equivalent to a 4.00% salary increase effective January 1, 1998. The Appropriation Act states, "The intent of the General Assembly is that the average classroom teacher salary be improved throughout the state by at least 4.00% the second year. Sufficient funds are appropriated in this act to finance on a statewide basis, the state share of such salary increases, to school divisions which certify to the state Department of Education, no later than March 1, 1) that equivalent increases have been granted in the fiscal year in which such payments are provided; or 2) the school division will begin paying the employee's share of contributions to the Virginia Retirement System in that fiscal year as a new benefit that had not been available to teachers in prior years." Attachment B must be signed by the superintendent certifying that sufficient funds have been provided for the salary increase. These two forms must be returned to Mrs. June Eanes, Budget Director, by January 23, 1998. If you have any questions concerning these two forms, please call Mrs. Eanes at (804) 225-2060. RTL:jfe Attachments: A hard copy of this memo and its attachments will be sent to the superintendent's office