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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 5, 1995                   TAG: 9507050016
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI                                 LENGTH: Medium

NEW USE OR NO USE BEING PONDERED FOR FORMER SCHOOL

When it closed in 1993 after 69 years as an elementary school, the Pulaski County Board of Supervisors authorized the building's use by various community and business agencies.

The tenants have been quite a mix: the Pulaski Free Clinic, Mexi-Billy Salsa, the Comprehensive Health Investment Project, and Head Start and Bright Stars classes operated by the New River Community Action Agency, to name a few.

Recently the community action agency decided to move its classes to other quarters.

Since rental income for the classes amounts to 45 percent of what the county receives for use of the building, the supervisors have discussed closing it to all renters after September.

With nearly half its rental income gone, it would be a money loser for the county, and no comparable renter is on the horizon. Heating only part of the building in cold weather would be impractical.

The supervisors will consider other possible uses for the building between now and August, including making it available to nearby industries.

County Administrator Joe Morgan met last week with Head Start representatives, who are reconsidering the move to a church across the street since it would probably mean the closing of the building to all renters.

The question seems to be whether licensing requirements for the classes can continue to be met in the Jefferson School building. If they can, the community action agency has said it will look at the possibility of staying there.