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

DATE: FRIDAY, August 12, 1994                   TAG: 9408120115
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: METRO  
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SCHOOL INCLUDED IN BOND ISSUE PLAN

Nearly $20 million for a new high school is included in a proposed $30 million bond issue that has been prepared by the county School Board. It will be submitted to the Board of Supervisors this month.

The School Board also has prepared an alternative bond issue for $10 million that omits the new high school.

At its meeting Thursday night, the School Board decide to present both proposals to the supervisors and let them decide which one will be submitted to voters. The supervisors may decide to have no referendum.

The supervisors appear to be split on the issue. Some have said that a bond issue would require a tax increase and voters might be reluctant to approve it because of that.

But Supervisor Bob Johnson has argued that voters should be given a chance to express their views on the school projects in a referendum.

The alternative plans, for $10 million and $30 million, were prepared at the supervisors' request. The supervisors had requested a $15 million and a $30 million plan. But the School Board reduced the $15 million plan to $10 million by proposing to finance several projects with state literary loans that would have a lower interest rate than bonds and would be cheaper.

Chairman Frank Thomas said the board will let the supervisors to make the decision because they know what the county can afford. "They are the ones with the money," Thomas said.

The new Cave Spring High School is the main difference between the two bond plans..

Both contain $3.5 million for a new gymnasium and auditorium for Northside High School. School officials said Northside has the smallest of the county's gyms and it is inadequate.

Both plans also provide $4 million for major renovations at several schools, $1 million for renovation of the South County stadium, $1 million for the purchase of school technology, $500,000 for school buses and funds for several smaller items.

Three residents from the Cave Spring area urged the School Board to support the $30 million plan, saying several schools in the southwest section of the county are overcrowded.

"I urge you to approve the $30 million plan. It is the only realistic plan in light of our needs," said James McAden.

The School Board had not considered a new Cave Spring High School would be necessary for another eight to 10 years until Johnson raised the issue this summer

Board members had planned to spend $5 million for renovations at Cave Spring Junior and Cave Spring High.

But Johnson argued that would be a waste of money and shortsighted if a new school is needed.