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

DATE: THURSDAY, February 17, 1994                   TAG: 9402170208
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

SCHOOL REPAIRS TO COST $600,000

The Roanoke School Board will have to spend nearly $600,000 to repair schools and replace equipment damaged by storms this winter.

Richard Kelley, assistant superintendent for operations, said the schools need $75,000 in emergency repairs, including a new roof for Persinger Hall at Patrick Henry High School.

The board voted Tuesday night to replace the Persinger roof and repair damage to classrooms and the gymnasium floor at Patrick Henry.

Kelley said major replacements are needed at several other Patrick Henry buildings and at Hurt Park and Round Hill elementary schools. He estimates these will cost $275,000. Work will begin this spring.

An additional $245,000 must be spent this summer to replace roofs at other schools, to replace snow-removal equipment and to buy two-way radios for the rest of the city's school buses, he said.

Kelley said most of the money will come from the schools' maintenance and capital funds. The school system might be forced to delay buying some instructional equipment because of the storm damage.

In other action, the board:

Expelled an unidentified student who had possession of a handgun on school property.

Was urged by City Council member John Edwards to consider the construction of a field house for indoor track and field events.

by CNB