More than 40 instructional aides from schools across Henrico County attended last night's public hearing on the district's proposed 2008-09 budget.

Their message was clear: Instructional aides should make at least half the salary of teachers.

"There is a large overlap with the tasks a teacher performs," said Michelle DePalma, who works as an aide -- sometimes called a paraprofessional -- at Three Chopt Elementary School.

The School Board agreed. In a work session before the meeting, it had identified a two-step increase for full-time aides as a priority in the budget.

That increase would give the county's 363 full-time instructional aides, almost all of whom work in exceptional education, a nearly 9 percent pay raise.

That step increase would bring the starting salary of instructional aides just above half the pay of teachers.

Caroline Nelson, a Henrico parent, called these workers "the silent cog . . . that keeps the educational system moving forward."

Also, positions for registered nurses in county schools could be re-graded, resulting in a pay increase of about 9 percent.

In addition to the budget proposed last month by Superintendent Fred Morton IV, the board identified priorities including the addition of more preschool teachers, school resource and security officers and occupational therapists.

It also wants to add funds to implement recent Algebra Task Force recommendations and to purchase library books.

Linda McBride, who represents Brookland District, said maintenance was a top concern. "We have $3 million budgeted and $18 million in needs," she said.

Morton said these additions to the budget proposal -- nearly $2 million in all -- could be added if retirement costs aren't as high as originally projected. Final revenue figures from the state will not be known until the General Assembly votes on the issue.

The School Board will vote Feb. 28 on the proposed $508.8 million budget.