Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 18, 1994 TAG: 9405180073
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
As Roanoke nears completion of a $17.4 million program for renovating its oldest elementary schools, Superintendent Wayne Harris has developed a $22.5 million plan for remodeling the city's oldest middle schools.
Jackson Middle School in Southeast Roanoke would be the first to be renovated, at an estimated cost of $5.25 million. It would be followed by Addison, Breckinridge and Woodrow Wilson middle schools.
Upgrading the middle schools is part of a five-year, $32.8 million capital improvement plan for city schools that has been prepared by Harris and Richard Kelley, assistant superintendent for operations.
The plan also includes $7.5 million to upgrade computer technology and provide one computer for every five students within five years. The ratio now is one computer for every 10 students.
Harris has made computers and technology a priority since he became superintendent.
Smaller items in the capital improvement plan include replacing the air-conditioning systems at several schools, removing asbestos, upgrading the fire alarm systems at some schools and expanding library-media centers.
Much of the money for the school renovations and technology would come from city bond issues and state Literary Fund loans.
The School Board approved the plan Tuesday night and agreed to send it to City Manager Bob Herbert so the schools' needs can be included in a city bond issue.
Harris focused on the first year of the plan. He said the schools will need $7.17 million in bond funds in the next year. The school board will ask City Council to include the school funds in the city's next bond issue. Kelley said the city might sell bonds either this November or in 1995.
The school plan includes $5.25 million for Jackson; $1.5 million to begin the upgrade of computer technology; $300,000 for replacing air-conditioning systems at some schools; and $120,000 for upgrading fire alarms.
The renovation of Jackson will begin in the summer of 1995 if the city issues bonds for it.
The renovation of the four middle schools built before 1955 will involve improving heating and cooling systems, classrooms, cafeterias, restrooms, libraries, athletic fields and storage rooms.
In addition to the renovations and computers, the schools will need $13.6 million in the next five years for capital maintenance and equipment replacement. This includes roof replacement, instructional equipment, school buses, textbook replacement and classroom improvements.
During the past five years, the schools have used part of their own and the city's year-end budget balances to finance recurring capital maintenance and replacement needs. In the next fiscal year, the schools will need $3.15 million for these expenses.
School officials said they will have $875,000 in available funds in the next year for maintenance and equipment, but they will need $2.281 million in city funds.
If the school system is going to spend more than $5 million to renovate Jackson, board member James Turner said, "we need to make sure that city officials and council are on board" with support for the $22.5 million plan for fixing up all four middle schools. Otherwise, parents and students in other schools might complain that they have been slighted, he said.
by CNB