Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 17, 1995 TAG: 9505170056
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
If the sign on the front of the school read Highland Park or Addison, the School Board would never propose tearing it down, Bob Zimmerman said.
But because Stonewall Jackson Middle School is in blue-collar Southeast Roanoke, school officials feel free to tear down part of the 72-year-old school, he said.
Zimmerman, a businessman who has lived in the neighborhood all his life, sees the Jackson project as another instance of city officials' insensitivity to Southeast.
Zimmerman and several other Southeast residents protested the demolition plan Tuesday and gathered petition signatures in front of the school to try to block it. About 250 people stopped to sign.
The protesters collected about 500 names and hope to get more before they ask City Council next week to hold up funds for the $5.5 million project. The School Board has awarded a contract, and work is scheduled to begin in mid-June.
School officials deny that the neighborhood's history and reputation were a factor in the plan to raze the oldest part of the building, and they insist that it is being done for educational reasons.
Zimmerman attended Jackson - as did his children and grandchildren - and he isn't convinced.
"Even if it costs a little more to renovate than tear down and rebuild, it is saving part of the city's history," he said. "They haven't torn down any other schools. Why Jackson?"
Betty Stoneman shares Zimmerman's sentiment. Stoneman, who attended Jackson and whose children also went there, came Tuesday to sign the petition.
"I think they can save the old facade if they want to. They can work around it," she said. "The only nice architecture left over here is the churches. We can't afford to lose the school."
But not all Southeast residents feel the same way.
Sally Harris, who has a daughter at Jackson, said many children are excited about the new technology laboratories and other modern equipment the school will have after the project is complete.
"I have lived in Southeast all of my life, and I can't believe that people would object to something that is going to be good for the school and the neighborhood," Harris said.
Alan Argabright, president of the Southeast Action Forum, said the neighborhood children need a modern building, air conditioning and modern instructional technology.
"If it comes down to the tools of learning vs. a building, I favor the tools of learning," Argabright said. "I think the children deserve the most modern learning equipment."
Cindy Webb, who grew up in the neighborhood and attended the school, said many parents support the School Board's plan.
"I think the younger parents want it torn down, but some older people don't," said Webb, a 33-year-old mother who will have a child at the school when it reopens.
Libby Martin, who has a child at Jackson this year and will have another one there in two years, said she trusts the School Board and accepts its statement that modern laboratories and other equipment would not have fitted into a renovated building.
"I don't think enough attention has been given to what is in the best interests of the children rather than the building," Martin said.
But Joey Moldenhauer said school officials are "trying to divide the neighborhood. They are trying to say that new programs couldn't be put in a renovated building, but they could."
Moldenhauer, who grew up in Southeast and attended Jackson but now lives in Salem, said he doesn't believe children in Old Southwest are being denied a quality education because Highland Park Elementary School was renovated rather than demolished.
If the Southeast Roanoke residents don't prevail in their fight to save the school building, Zimmerman said, they will seek satisfaction at the polls.
"If we lose this one, we are going to push for an elected School Board. Now, the board members don't pay any attention to citizens," he said.
by CNB