DATE: Sunday, September 14, 1997            TAG: 9709130199

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 10   EDITION: FINAL 

                                            LENGTH:   45 lines

SCHOOL BOARD ACTIONS - SUFFOLK

The Suffolk School Board took the following actions at its Sept. 11 meeting in City Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 441 Market St. The meeting will be rebroadcast on WSPS-Cable Channel 6, the Suffolk Public Schools' television channel. Proposal

Financial Report - Heard that the school system ended the past fiscal year with a $213,135 surplus before its audit, which will go into the School Construction Fund. The City Council appropriated $84,000 of it to pay for new security equipment at the two high schools, including 16 rotating surveillance cameras at each school, that were cut from last year's budget. Not voted on

Proposed rezoning timetable and guidelines for rezoning elementary schools, including presentation of proposed changes to School Board in February, public comment in March and final board vote in April. Not voted on

Suffolk Public Schools' Mission Statement - A final form, penned by Chairman Mark A. Croston using language and ideas debated by the full School Board, and called ``poetic'' by member Frances L. Alwood: ``To Partner with the community we serve, To Provide an effective educational experience, To Prepare every student to find success in our complex society.'' Approved 7-0

Capital Improvement Plan 1998-2004 - Send to City Council two budget options costing $142.2 million and $152.5 million. The first, less-expensive option includes four new schools and renovations or additions to seven others; the second, more-expensive option includes three new schools and nine renovations or additions. Approved 7-0

Proposed Operating Budget Calendar, Fiscal Year 1998-99 - Includes preliminary public hearing on Dec. 11, School Board public discussion on Jan. 8,distribution of proposed budget on Feb. 2, another public hearing on Feb. 12 andbudget adoption on March 19. Approved 7-0

Amendment to architectural and engineering contract for additional off-site work at new ``central'' elementary school, at intersection of U.S. 58 and Nansemond Parkway, for $11,580, plus other special inspection requirements. Approved 7-0

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