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

DATE: SATURDAY, May 6, 1995                   TAG: 9505080054
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-9   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Medium

WORK ON BELLE HETH, MCHARG SCHOOLS TO BEGIN SOON

Construction could begin in as little as two weeks on new art and music classroom additions to Belle Heth and McHarg elementary schools. After last month's initial bids for the two expansion projects came in unacceptably high, the board reworked some specifications and rebid the work.

Thursday, the School Board accepted a sole bid with optional deductions of $319,600 from Shelor Construction Co. - also the initial low bidder - for both expansion projects, a $46,800 reduction from the company's original estimates.

"Let 'er rip!" was School Board Chairman Guy Gentry's reaction after the unanimous vote.

The board agreed to forgo some cabinets and a stairway to a multipurpose room to cut costs. Both additions will be approximately 1,600 square feet.

The approved price tag still is higher than the $300,000 maximum figure school and city officials had wanted. Superintendent Michael Wright suggested the board take some of the $34,000 set aside to purchase a removable playing floor for the National Guard Armory, which is on the grounds of Radford High School and used by students daily for athletic activities.

Board member Carter Effler, who moved to approve the bid, suggested taking the entire amount and restoring the deleted cabinets and other amenities.

Wright also said he anticipates sales tax revenues to the school division could be higher than original projections.

Last month, School Board members were shocked when bids for the two projects came in at nearly twice the original estimates. Architect Larry Martin blamed a big jump in the cost of bricks and mortar - up 50 or 60 percent from last year - for the steep price tags. The board had set aside approximately $197,000 out of its current budget for both projects, while Shelor's initial base bids topped $366,000.

School officials hope the art and music classrooms can be ready by the start of the school year in September.

In other action at Thursday's brief meeting, the board approved closing schools two hours early June 2, when Radford High School holds its commencement exercises. The board also OK'd a summer school schedule for Dalton Intermediate School.

In addition, the board presented certificates to Danny King and Kenny Alderman, who completed a Department of Motor Vehicles course in drug and alcohol abuse identification.

by CNB