Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 14, 1993 TAG: 9310150392
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MICHAEL CSOLLANY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
In the third of four hearings on the 1994-95 budget, parents asked the board to protect art and music programs from any cuts and to increase funding if possible.
``For too long, the county has treated art education as a frill instead of a basic life skill,'' said Ann Van Tassell, a professional artist and mother of two children in county schools.
She said she's concerned that some children only get 30 minutes of art every other week. While she can supplement her children's art education, she said, that's not possible for all parents.
``We need to teach them that creativity is elemental and not extra, that individuality is as important as conformity, and that art is not something to struggle with but to celebrate,'' she told the board.
There are 715 elementary school students for every art teacher.
Parents also said that art contributed to the learning of other disciplines, helped the reasoning process and kept kids in school.
``For some students, the most important moment of the day is when they do art. Art will draw them into school, keep them in school and keep them enthused,'' said Monte Boison, a member of the Margaret Beeks Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association.
Others told the board of the need to stay technologically competitive.
Reba Taylor, a teacher at Blacksburg High school, said there's a ``desperate need'' for more advanced computer equipment. The county's schools have mostly Apple IIE computers, predecessors to Macintosh computers, and Taylor said that students will not find those in the workplace or in college.
She said it's difficult to teach on the current equipment and software and urged the county to purchase computers that are ``faster, stronger and more able.''
``Have you ever tried to teach Pascal on Apple IIE's? It can't be done,'' she said.
Parents also asked the board not to forget vocational programs.
In other news:
Blacksburg Middle School's cannery was once again a matter of debate.
The School Board announced this summer it would consider closing the cannery, which has been in operation since World War II, and consolidating its operations at another cannery in Riner.
Lisa Gilbert presented the board a petition with 136 signatures for the cannery to remain open.
She said agriculture has long been a part of the county's beauty and history.
``Why, in 1993, should gardening be no longer valuable to the community?'' she asked.
Blacksburg Middle School Principal Gary McCoy said the two rooms used for the cannery could be put to better use. ``We're experiencing rapid growth which in turn requires additional classroom space,'' he said.
While converting the cannery rooms to classrooms would not alleviate the large need for space, he said it would be a start.
Pleas were also heard for more guidance counselors, nurses and clerks in the schools.
Several people spoke in favor of in-school child care for teen parents.
Regina Smith, the president of the Montgomery County Council of PTAs told the board that child care is necessary to keep a teen parent in school. ``Without a diploma, this teen parent is headed for the welfare system,'' she said.
by CNB