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

DATE: SATURDAY, April 24, 1993                   TAG: 9304240276
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Medium

SCHOOL BOARD TOURS HIGH SCHOOL WITH EYE TOWARD IMPROVEMENTS

"This is what they called the new building when I was here," said board member Chip Craig, who attended the high school during the 1970s.

Another alumnus, board Vice Chairman Guy Gentry, moderated the on-the-fly meeting.

"The entire building needs work," he told his colleagues, pointing out problems with aging ceilings, wall treatments, windows and lighting.

The years also have taken their toll on the wing, which was built in stages from 1952 to 1957. It has 12 classrooms, including science labs and vocational shops. The wing survived a fire that destroyed the main high school building in 1970.

Science teacher Karen Hines told of sink fixtures that come off in students' hands and of having to share audio-visual equipment with other classrooms.

Hines also said the yearly $1,600 supplies budget isn't enough to go around, either.

Others had grander things in mind.

"What about a greenhouse?" another science teacher asked Gentry when he visited her classroom.

"Put a price tag on it," he replied.

Again and again, he asked each teacher he met to work up a wish list for the board.

"If we don't dream, we don't get it," he said, then moved on to another room as his colleagues fanned out in all directions.

Superintendent Michael Wright, Principal Buddy Martin, and acting Assistant Superintendent Randy Wright accompanied the group, which drew stares from students and staffers as members talked and clerk Jean Smith took notes.

Later, the group met formally in the school library, where Gentry suggested the board pursue a multiphase plan to refurbish the east wing, taking "a giant leap from the early '70s to the '90s."

He suggested the board might want to develop the wing as a science and technology center for the school rather than just remodeling it.

But money remains problematic. "We couldn't afford to do the whole thing at one time," Gentry told his colleagues.

Craig suggested bringing in professional help, perhaps from Virginia Tech.

"We're just a bunch of well-meaning amateurs," he said. "This could save us money and put us in the right direction."

The rest of the board agreed. Wright said the board should develop "as broad a range of options" as possible before setting any plans into motion.

Board member George Ducker said that, before the tour, he'd thought of the renovation work as "something down the road." Now, he's convinced it's urgently needed. "The sooner the better," he said.

The board also made tentative plans to visit the city's two elementary schools before the school year ends in June.