Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 10, 1993 TAG: 9311100259
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
Board members had expressed concern at their recent workshop over student alcohol consumption and how to get more minority applicants for teaching and other school positions.
The alcohol concerns included student celebrations following some athletic events, including one incident in which parents provided alcohol in their home for some students.
School officials will ask the community to take preventive measures against such activities. The staff has been conferring with principals about the problem and looking into ways that organizations might help address it.
The staff also will try to develop a group that will seek ways to encourage more minority applicants and increase sensitivity to the need for more minority representation.
Efforts are under way to upgrade math, science and technology programs at all grade levels from kindergarten through high school. The high school program in particular will undergo a thorough study in these areas.
The staff is looking at the Southwest Virginia Governor's School, based on the Pulaski County High School campus, as a potential demonstration site in math, science and technology for school divisions throughout Southwest Virginia. County school officials want to structure a comparable program and make it available to all high school students.
This would mean that the county's middle and elementary school programs would have to be upgraded to provide the necessary building blocks for students to be ready to enter a more advanced high school program. It is being referred to as a ``lighthouse'' program for the state.
Plans are under way to develop these programs starting in the fall, but it will take more than a single school year to do it. The job is expected to involve close coordination among the staff, parents and area colleges and universities.
The board also will hear a report on more than $15 million worth of proposed capital projects for the 1993-94 fiscal year.
The first four projects at the top of the priority list are already under contract. They include redesign work at Critzer Elementary School at an estimated cost of $349,160; Northwood Elementary stabilization and roof repair, $99,923; Dublin Middle School roof repair, $160,000; and Claremont Elementary roof repair, $77,310.
The other 12 projects, by priority, are:
Work on the industrial arts building roof at Pulaski Middle School, $20,000; electrical upgrades at various schools, $65,000; handicap accessibility work at all buildings, $50,000; roof work at Pulaski County High, Pulaski Middle, and Dublin, Critzer and Riverlawn Elementary, $199,800; tile floor upgrading at various schools, $10,000; interior painting and repairs at Dublin Middle, $20,000; restoring fire alarm systems, $20,000; Also: four projects at Pulaski County High, including air-conditioning maintenance, $16,000; refurbishing and painting lockers, $40,000; gymnasium bleacher repairs, $270,000; and printing shop air-conditioning for the Vocational School, $10,000. The final project would be paving parking lots at Pulaski County High, Dublin Middle, and Dublin and Critzer Elementary, $93,000.
As the school division's buildings continue to age, maintenance costs will keep rising. A 41-member task force of school and community representatives has been established to make recommendations concerning the school division's buildings for a period extending into the next century. It is expected to make its recommendations in January.
The School Board meeting will start at 7 p.m. Thursday in the County Administration Building.
by CNB