Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 23, 1995 TAG: 9503040013
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: W-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Fort Lewis Elementary is one of the oldest schools in Roanoke County. It's one of only two schools that aren't air-conditioned. It doesn't have a cafeteria or kitchen.
Meals are trucked in every day from Glenvar Elementary School and eaten in the basement, in a room next to the boiler.
Parents of the 196 children at the small school west of Salem see themselves as victims of class and geographic discrimination.
"Is it my imagination, or are there other schools in existence in Roanoke County other than those in the Cave Spring area?" said Amber Sagester, chairman of buildings and grounds for the Fort Lewis Parent-Teacher Association.
"I don't want to make this an issue of West Roanoke County vs. South Roanoke, but let's be real.
"We have some major problems with our schools, and there must be minimum standards that all Roanoke County children are entitled to," she said.
PTA leaders believe they have been misled concerning plans for renovating the Fort Lewis School.
Several months ago, school officials estimated that it would cost $1.3 million to renovate Fort Lewis Elementary. But Homer Duff, director of construction and planning for county schools, said a detailed estimate hasn't been done.
Duff said a detailed projection is being prepared.
PTA leaders are upset about the delay.
"We are talking about two or three years if we have to rely on state literary loans," said Donna Dean, president of the Fort Lewis PTA.
Duff said the funds probably would be available in the summer of 1997. Renovations would be made in 1996 and 1997 and the school would remain open, he said.
Duff said he envisioned the entire school being renovated, but the details must be based on an architect's findings.
Dean said that if Fort Lewis is too small to qualify the children for the same standards in the rest of the county, then it should be closed and the children should be moved to Glenvar.
Duff said there were no plans for closing Fort Lewis Elementary.
Principal Gaye Sigmon said she believes county school officials are committed to renovating Fort Lewis.
"It is a need, and it is my understanding that it takes time for the arrangements and money," Sigmon said. County officials are hiring an architect for the project.
Sigmon said the parents want something done quickly, however.
PTA leaders said the playground consists of three old, dilapidated structures and a baseball field that's reminiscent of World War II minefields.
"We won't be put off any longer," Sagester said. "It is time they do something for Fort Lewis."
PTA leaders said they may push for the Fort Lewis project to be included in a bond issue to pay for a new Cave Spring High School and other projects.
School officials said they hope to renovate several schools as funds become available.
The parents said they are tired of waiting. "We've waited too long," Sagester said.
by CNB