Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, February 7, 1991                   TAG: 9102080686
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: W-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CHARLES STEBBINS CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: NEW CASTLE                                LENGTH: Medium

CRAIG SCHOOL BOARD HOPES BUILDING WON'T BE NECESSARY

But a study of the school system's facilities shows that some construction likely will be needed.

School Superintendent Dallas Helems told school board members this week that facilities are at capacity now.

"The elementary school, particularly, is bulging at the seams," he said.

The study also mentions the possibility of creating a middle school to avoid the overcrowding. Helems said four to six new classrooms would be needed for a middle school.

New classrooms could be built, he said, or the high school auditorium could be used for study halls to release some classrooms for a middle school.

Building new classrooms would cost around $260,000, Helems said, while using the auditorium would not cost anything. But, he said, the auditorium would not be available for other programs during the school day.

Craig County, he said, is eligible to borrow up to about $300,000 from the State Literary Fund, but that would increase the schools' debt.

Helems said an enrollment projection, made as part of the study, shows that Craig can expect little change in its school enrollment during the next 10 years.

Board member James Cady disputed that prediction, saying he sees new subdivisions springing up throughout the county and an enrollment increase seems assured.

On another matter, board members discussed legislation before the General Assembly that would affect schools. A proposal that would allow school divisions to require students wear uniforms received the most discussion.

Cady said he is surprised at the strong support that bill has in some areas of the state.

Robert Shaver, the board vice chairman, said a dress code requiring that students wear uniforms would eliminate problems between students who could not afford expensive clothes and those who could.

But a group of students and teachers attending the school board meeting Tuesday night indicated they were not in favor of student uniforms.

The board also decided to start study on its 1991-92 budget on Feb. 26. Budget study meetings will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Craig County High School.