Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 29, 1995 TAG: 9503290092
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
It turned out to be anything but.
For more than an hour Tuesday night, several school projects in the county were in doubt as it appeared the Board of Supervisors might abandon plans to sell bonds to pay for them.
Several supervisors criticized school officials and questioned their business judgment in planning for the construction of new school buildings and renovation of existing buildings.
Vinton Supervisor Harry Nickens accused the supporters of a new Cave Spring High School of trying to intimidate and threaten the supervisors.
"I get offended by veiled threats. My vote will not be decided by intimidation," Nickens said after some speakers accused the board of not providing enough money for schools.
Last September, the supervisors agreed to a $10.1 million bond issue to pay for a variety of school projects.
The bond issue will include $1.5 million for preliminary architectural and engineering services for a new Cave Spring High School; $3.5 million for a new gymnasium at Northside High School; $4 million for renovations at several schools; $1 million for a stadium at Cave Spring Junior High; and $100,000 for architectural and engineering services for Fort Lewis Elementary School.
The bonds will be sold through the Virginia Public School Authority, which sells bonds for local school systems at lower than market interest rates.
The supervisors agreed last fall to sell the bonds this spring but learned only recently that a public hearing would be required.
"The community thought this was a done deal. I ask you to treat this as a formality and commitment," said James McAden, an advocate of a new Cave Spring High School.
But the supervisors reopened the debate on several issues.
Gordon was surprised that some supervisors appeared to be reconsidering some projects. "I honestly thought you had made your decision in September," she told them.
Supervisor Lee Eddy, who had opposed the bond sale last fall, said he still opposes it because he believes $1.5 million is too much money for preliminary architectural and engineering services for the new high school. He also objects to spending bond funds on roofs, carpets, draperies and other items that he said should be financed with regular budget funds.
Nickens and Supervisors Bob Johnson supported the bond issue last fall, but both had complaints Tuesday night.
Johnson objects to the School Board's plan to spend $2.5 million for air conditioning and $1 million for stadium improvements at Cave Spring Junior High School because the school might be closed when a new high school is built.
Nickens also objects to the stadium proposal and questioned the allocation of $1.5 million for planning for the new high school before a final decision is made on the project.
Both Johnson and Nickens passed when the vote was taken. Chairman Fuzzy Minnix and Supervisor Ed Kohinke voted yes; Eddy voted no.
County Attorney Paul Mahoney said that, if Johnson and Nickens continued to pass, they could be counted as abstaining, and the motion approving the bond issue would pass by a vote of 2-1. At that point, Johnson and Nickens both voted yes, and the bonds were approved 4-1.
by CNB