Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 13, 1995 TAG: 9509130019
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: LISA APPLEGATE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FLOYD LENGTH: Long
For three Floyd County high school juniors, attending Southwest Virginia's Governor's School for Science and Technology has been more of a challenge than they ever expected.
Katherine Shelor works every weekend at Chateau Morrisette to raise money for the $2,500 tuition. Jennifer Sharp's parents take two hours out of their day to drive the trio to and from the school, located in Pulaski County.
Johanna Neumann had wanted to attend the accelerated program since her brother went a few years ago. But it wasn't until an aunt from Germany wired the tuition money to her - a week before classes began - that Neumann could be sure she was going.
For the first time since Floyd began sending students to Governor's School five years ago, these three are paying their own way - and providing their own transportation - for advanced classes.
The decision to cut funding this year came down to a shift in priorities - from using a limited amount of funds to provide many opportunities for a few students, to spreading it out to serve the majority, said Floyd Superintendent Terry Arbogast.
With state and federal money dwindling, the concept of sending a handful of gifted students to a different school may have to change.
This year, for example, state legislators reduced funds for summer Governor's School programs to compensate for other education cuts made by Gov. George Allen. For the first time, school divisions had to pay from 20 percent to 80 percent of student tuition, depending on the school system's wealth.
Last May, the School Board opted not to cover transportation costs for three seniors who had already attended one year of Governor's School. And they decided not to cover transportation or tuition costs for the three juniors.
That saved the system about $15,000 - less than 1 percent of Floyd's $9 million budget for the 1995-96 year.
Arbogast said the Governor's School cut was tough for the board, but it was a choice that they thought was fair to the entire community. School Board Chairman Doug Phillips did not return several phone calls to discuss the board's decision.
One of the main issues, Arbogast said, was the fact that Governor's School students can receive up to 24 college credits for their classes.
"That's considered dual enrollment, and there's been some expression from the community that we should not support that," Arbogast said.
For Louellen and Jim Sharp, whose daughter wants to study chemical oceanography in college, that attitude is unfair.
"These kids are made to feel like they're stealing from the school system," Jim Sharp said. "But they're doing things that meet their educational needs - the same as vocational programs prepare kids for work."
Each morning, Sharp leaves home at 6:30 to drive the girls to the half-day school for their first of three classes at 7:20. There, in the small, modern building that sits in the middle of Pulaski High School's grounds, the girls study Advanced Placement Physics, Advanced Calculus and an advance Science lab.
They are surrounded by top students from eight different counties and use computers on a daily basis. That kind of challenge, said 16-year-old Katherine Shelor, couldn't be found at Floyd High School.
"Before, it was like you get a 100 on a test, no big deal," she said. "Here, you have to read the books and ask questions and work hard."
But providing challenging curriculum to just a few students won't be possible in financially strapped counties, says Giles County Superintendent Bob McCracken.
"Cutting edge technology opportunities will have to be made to staff and students in all of our school divisions to justify the scarce resources that are provided," he said.
Giles is sending nine students to the morning Governor's School, McCracken said. A few students chose not to attend because the time involved - simply traveling to Pulaski - took away from sports and other extracurricular activities at their home high school.
Arbogast said he's hoping technology like distance learning will reach all Floyd students. That project, pioneered by Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon, uses audio and video equipment to connect classrooms across Southwest Virginia.
Governor's School Director Margaret Duncan said she supports any kind of technology that would expand their expertise to local schools.
"But I do not think video will replace teachers - hands-on activities are vital to learning," she said.
Arbogast acknowledged that the Governor's School offers courses - particularly in science - that Floyd High School cannot.
"It's up to us to look at our curriculum, look at the staffing, possibly add additional courses," he said. "We need to work on the ones who opt to stay, and we're doing that."
by CNB