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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 13, 1995                   TAG: 9509130044
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: KIMBERLY N. MARTIN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SCHOOL BONDS DENIED

The capital improvements project at Cave Spring Junior High School included air conditioning, electrical upgrades and new windows for the aging school. In 1991, the county applied for low-interest Literary Fund loans to pay for the project.

"Four years ago, the county had foresight to approve the application for Literary [Fund] loans," said Mary Nasca, Cave Spring Junior High PTA president.

Nasca detailed conditions where classrooms have four computers, but not enough electrical outlets to use all of them as well as overhead projectors and other technology; classrooms with temperatures upwards of 100 degrees, and screenless windows that allow bees and other insects to fly in.

They were charges that no one could dispute.

"Everything you said is a reason to retire that building. But when you retire a facility, you shouldn't put $2.5 million in it," said Supervisor Bob Johnson.

The board already has put $500,000 into an elevator and air conditioning for the school's north wing. The money was an advance to be reimbursed by the bond sale.

"If I'm going to trade in my 1968 Ford for a new Ford, the worst thing for me to do before I trade it in is to put air conditioning in it," Johnson said.

The plan two or three years ago was to convert Cave Spring High School into a junior high once a new high school was built. But when the county agreed to a feasibility study, School Board Chairman Jerry Canada said, it charged the consultant with studying all the schools and all the possibilities, one of which could be renovating Cave Spring Junior High School.

"We don't know what we're going to do yet: two schools or one. We're talking five, six, seven or more years that our kids will be there. And we all know a hot, sweltering classroom is not conducive to learning," Canada said.

Because of those unknowns, Supervisor Lee Eddy said he wanted to wait until the consultant's plan is completed at the end of October before making a decision. However, the other three supervisors present voted against putting off the decision.

Supervisor Harry Nickens was out of town on business and had requested a delay in action.

The deadline for participating in this fall's bond sale is Sept. 18.

"The $2 million you're not going to spend is not worth the ill will you're going to receive," Canada said. After the meeting, he said the School Board has explored no other alternatives.

Most of the audience, which had nearly filled the Brambleton Center meeting room, walked out before the board voted 3-1 against authorizing the issuance of $2.5 million in bonds. Supervisors' Chairman Fuzzy Minnix, who represents the Cave Spring Magisterial District, was the only supervisor to support the bonds.

In other action:

The board declared four visitors from Opole, Poland, honorary Roanoke County citizens for the day.

"Now that you're all citizens, I guess I should collect some taxes," Minnix said, after presenting the delegation a Roanoke County flag and certificates stating their citizenship.

It was the third time a delegation from Opole has visited the county to learn about local governments. Last November, County Administrator Elmer Hodge visited Opole.

The supervisors appropriated $3,900 for three television monitors and other video equipment for their meeting room. The money will come from a Booth American Co. capital grant as part of the county's cable franchise agreement.

Board members approved changing the trash pickup schedule, affecting 9,900 homes. Of those, 900 households in North Lakes and Willow Creek will move more than one day - from Tuesday pickup to Thursday. The change will become effective Oct. 16.