Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 2, 1995 TAG: 9511020069
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY REED
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Is there any way the school system could keep these children with their friends? Also, will it be possible to drive children to a school across the attendance line? Will students from outside the county still attend Botetourt schools?
R.M., Daleville
A: Botetourt officials talk as if they've made a commitment to the attendance lines. Changing them would be like opening Pandora's box, Superintendent Clarence McClure said.
As for driving Botetourt pupils to another school in the county, that's never been allowed.
McClure said he thought crossing the attendance lines would cause Cloverdale Middle School to become overcrowded while Fincastle Middle's enrollment could drop too low to operate the school efficiently.
"Until we see a trend in enrollment, it would be dangerous to allow anybody to drive across the attendance line," he said.
On the other hand, students from other localities will be allowed to attend Botetourt's middle and high schools.
That's a self-defense measure that keeps state education money coming into the county, McClure said.
Because of an open enrollment policy among Roanoke, Roanoke County, Salem and Botetourt, about 150 of the county's students attend school elsewhere.
Botetourt also has about 150 students from other localities attending its schools. That brings in about $375,000 per year in state aid the county would otherwise lose, McClure said.
Rock-hard cash
Q: I have a relative who has several diamonds of considerable value that she needs to sell to keep off of Medicaid. How do we find a reputable way to sell these diamonds? They've been appraised and their value is known.
V.R., Roanoke
A: The probable first step is to contact a local jeweler who has been in business for several years and has a good reputation.
The jeweler usually can offer at least two options for converting the diamonds to cash.
One option is to leave the diamonds with the jeweler on consignment, with a price range you're willing to accept.
Consignment saves the owner the hassle of finding serious buyers, negotiating prices and taking security risks. The drawback is that the stones may not sell for a year or more.
Another typical course, if the items are of fairly significant value, is to send them to an auction house such as Christie's or John Elkins. This can produce a quick sale but may net the seller less than half the appraised value, particularly after the auctioneer's commission is paid.
Geoff Jennings of Frank L. Moose Jewelers provided much of this information.
Got a question about something that might affect other people, too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Give us a call at 981-3118. Maybe we can find the answer.
by CNB