Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 10, 1994 TAG: 9412300032
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: W-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHARLES STEBBINS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NEW CASTLE LENGTH: Short
Dallas Helems, superintendent of schools, outlined briefly for the supervisors what he sees as a developing crunch on classroom space.
In September, school officials faced placing 40 students who had not previously enrolled.
Helems said he expects the growth to continue, creating a need for more classroom space.
The 40 additional children this term caused the school system to use all of its spare classroom space, Helems said, trying to alert the supervisors to the need to find funds for a school building program in the next few years.
HeLems said he could not speculate on how big the program it might be, because school board members are just beginning studies on it.
Helems, however, said that a short term solution could include modular units. But, he said, eventually permanent additions to either Craig County High or McCleary Elementary or both of the schools will be necessary.
In either case, he said, more land may be needed to prevent the present school complex from becoming squeezed on its present lot.
After the supervisors' meeting, Helems said the school board would look into the possibility of re-opening the old Maywood School as suggested by a school patron.
However, he said, it's likely to be expensive to reactivate that school in the western side of the county because the building needs extensive renovation, including asphalt removal.
by CNB