Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 9, 1990 TAG: 9006090083
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
"We have no control over school bus fares," responded School Board Chairman John McPhail, who told Carter that the buses were operated by the city and not the school system.
"We have nothing to do with the fares whatsoever," McPhail added.
The Board's terse response may have been due, in part, to irritation at the state Department of Education for sharply cutting the Radford schools' transportation subsidy this year specifically because the city charges youngsters to ride.
Radford's city buses charge students 20 cents a trip, although discount ticket books are available. The price has not changed for more than a decade, said Superintendent Michael Wright.
Wright said his system lost from $18,000 of $24,000 in transportation subsidies this year. In the past, the money has gone directly into the city's transportation account.
"Technically, legally, there is no requirement that we operate school buses at all," McPhail said.
Wright said the cost to the school system of starting up and running its own transportation system would require a substantial investment and probably a tax increase.
The school system does operate three buses for field trips, athletics and other activities.
"I understand your concern, but those concerns should be directed to City Council," McPhail advised Carter.
In other matters, the Board unanimously accepted bids to replace a school bus and repair roof sections at Radford High School.
The low-bid price tag for the 26-passenger bus - equipped with a wheelchair lift - was $31,842 from Salem Quality Equipment. Although Radford city buses provide student transportation, the city does not have a vehicle to transport physically handicapped students.
The low bid for the roof repair work - to re-cover the lower part of the high school gymnasium and the industrial arts building's shop area - was $26,855 from Consolidated Roofing of Roanoke.
Wright said that while repairs will not mean an end to leaky school buildings in the city, it will fix the worst problems. He said leaks remain at the high school auditorium and at Belle Heth Elementary School.
The new bus will replace an older vehicle that has been plagued by expensive repairs for much of the past school year, Wright said.
In other business, the board voted unanimously to offer a choice from among three group health and hospitalization insurance plans offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia through the Local Choice option of the new state plan. The new plans take effect Oct. 1 and range in price from $124 to $181 a month.
The board also approved a summer remedial studies program to concentrate on math and writing. Classes will begin June 18 and end July 9 at John N. Dalton Intermediate School. Participants will include as many as 15 intermediate students who did not do well on standardized tests or who failed math.
In other action, the board recognized high school counselor Elizabeth Sandidge, who is retiring after more than 37 years in Virginia's public schools, 27 of them in Radford.
The Board also recognized several high school students who received awards for academic competitions. Among those honored was Cass Kasting, who received an honorable mention at the International Science Fair in Tulsa, Okla.
by CNB