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

DATE: THURSDAY, February 16, 1995                   TAG: 9503030013
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: W-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CHARLES STEBBINS
DATELINE: NEW CASTLE                                LENGTH: Short

CRAIG SCHOOLS BEGIN WORK ON NEW BUDGET

Superintendent Dallas Helems said providing more classroom space is one of the board's critical items.

Rising enrollment has forced the school system to use two mobile classroom units, and there's another on the way.

Preliminary discussion among board members, Helems said, indicates the need for two more buildings that would provide additional classrooms for both the high school and elementary school, as well as a new middle school.

In the process, Helems said, Craig County may get a public library.

One of the items being discussed is a new building to contain a cafeteria and a school library. But, Helems said, since Craig does not have a public library, board members are studying what would be needed to design the school library so it could double as a public library.

The only public library service in the county is a weekly visit by a bookmobile from the Roanoke Public Library.

Helems said a cafeteria/library building would open up the present library and cafeteria spaces for classrooms.

Helems also said a new building for a middle school is planned. Middle-school classes now are held in two mobile units and several classrooms in the high school.