CHRISTIANSBURG -- Montgomery County school employees have requested pay raises and new benefits in the next fiscal year, even though money is likely to be tight in the upcoming budget cycle.

Montgomery County School Board members had their first public hearing Tuesday for the 2009-10 operating budget, and representatives from teachers, staff and administrators' associations asked for a mix of extra sick and "wellness" days, pay increases and boosts in starting pay. The next fiscal year begins July 1.

The Montgomery County Education Association, which represents more than 600 teachers and staff, requested a 3 percent pay raise for employees or, at worst, a cost of living raise and a step increase.

In the school system's salary scales, employees are given step increases, or raises in pay, based on the number of years they've worked in the county.

"We are all incredibly grateful for the wonderful compensation package you gave us last year," said MCEA president and Shawsville Elementary teacher Angie Cornett. "We are cognizant of the fact that times are tough and money is tight."

Last year, employees received an 8 percent raise in the school system's $97.3 million budget. Still, Cornett said some employees will need more to keep up with what surrounding counties pay.

She also suggests giving teachers an added personal day, giving teachers with master's degrees a 6 percent pay raise and giving instructional aides more sick days. All would help with recruiting, she said.

Ramona Brown, head of the administrative assistants' association, which has about 30 members, asked the board to raise the starting pay to Level 2 for administrative assistants. She also asked that those who work in the school board office to be paid as much as those assistants and bookkeepers who work in schools.

"Central office administrative assistants have bookkeeping responsibilities and the responsibility for reporting on a state level for grants, as well as maintaining budgets for their own departments," she said.

Because of that, she said, they should be placed at Level 11, rather than Level 1, to bring beginning salaries to $19,988 annually. That would be a $600 salary boost for central office administrative assistants.

School-level administrators, such as principals, are asking for a decrease in the number of steps it takes to reach the top pay band. They also want assistant principals to be contracted for 12 months, instead of 11. That would help attract better candidates, said Danny Knott, Blacksburg Middle School principal and association president. Knott also suggested giving Auburn and Shawsville middle schools an assistant principal.

School system leaders are expected to start discussing their operating budget priorities next month, with board member receiving a final list of requests in January. Principals and department directors were asked to turn in their budget wish lists to the school system's financial office today.

This year, the state is expecting a $641 million revenue shortfall and has cut 567 jobs and slashed $350 million from other agencies' budgets. In mid-December, Gov. Tim Kaine is expected to outline a complete list of budget cuts.

School system administrator Walt Shannon said last week that even a 5 percent cut in the system's budget could mean layoffs. Personnel costs account for more than 75 percent of the school's budget.

Because of the financial constraints, one Blacksburg resident implored board members Tuesday to be frugal as they budget and to think about cutting duplicate administrative positions and selling old property, such as the old Blacksburg Middle School.

"There's a lot of people out there concerned," Richard Workman said. "We just need to look at things and cut where possible, maybe just for a year. I just think it's time that we really prepare for the worst."