Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 22, 1994 TAG: 9410240035
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
Late last week an estimated $6,000 worth of computer equipment was stolen in a break-in at Belle Heth Elementary School. Wednesday evening, approximately $1,400 in cash was taken at Radford High School after thieves broke a window and entered the building. The money - proceeds of fund-raising activities for a student organization - had been left in an unlocked desk drawer contrary to school policy.
Police are investigating both incidents.
The computer equipment taken was part of the more than $185,000 in new technology the city's schools purchased and installed just this year.
At Thursday's School Board meeting, board member Chip Craig called on administrators to get an expert evaluation of school security. Superintendent Michael Wright told the board that he's asked city police for additional surveillance, but noted that some schools are adjacent to wooded areas "that are not easily surveilled."
The Belle Heth theft also led the schools' Technology Committee to ask the board to earmark $25,000 for security systems "for at least the high risk areas of the schools." The security system request was among 21 equipment and personnel items on a list submitted by the committee that totaled $626,250. The list was among other money requests offered Thursday as the School Board kicked off its annual budget process for the 1995-96 school year with a public hearing.
Among other things, the committee asked for new or additional classroom computers in all schools as well as for a full-time staff member to install and repair equipment and train users.
The committee also wants media-library aides for each library, new televisions and videocassette recorders, video projectors, printers and CD-ROM-equipped computers for school libraries.
A representative of the Radford Band Boosters' Association also asked the board to consider $33,000 in additional equipment and personnel for the instrumental music program in grades 6-12. On the boosters' list were a $15,000 request for a part-time assistant band director, in part to allow expanding the program into the fourth and fifth grades, and a $6,000 request to hire part-time coaches for individual and small-group instruction for the flag team, percussion, woodwinds and brass.
Standing in for her husband - Band Boosters' President Gary Nunn - Pamela Nunn also told the board that good musical instruments are in short supply. "We have had to borrow instruments," she said. The schools lend approximately 120 instruments to students, some of whom cannot afford to purchase them.
She said the marching band also needs money to repair and replace existing uniforms, especially as youngsters outgrow them. Their list also included $2,500 for computerized equipment for music classrooms.
In the past, Nunn said, Band Boosters' money went for extras. Now, she said, it goes for basic programs.
Wright had some additional budget possibilities for the board to consider. "It's pretty clear we're going to need an additional teacher at Belle Heth," he said, adding that another half-time position would be required at Radford High School.
In addition, the school system must implement new drug-testing mandates and will see an estimated $40,000 rise in its share of providing health insurance coverage for employees, he said.
by CNB