ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, December 9, 1995 TAG: 9512100013
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS might not insist that the cost of the new Cave Spring High School be lowered, even though it is projected to be $3.6 million more than the supervisors want to spend.
The threat of a clash between the Roanoke County School Board and the Board of Supervisors over the projected cost for a new Cave Spring High School apparently has diminished.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Fuzzy Minnix said Friday that the $30 million cap sought by the supervisors was not intended to be an ultimatum to the School Board.
"It might have sounded like one, but I think we will be able to work out something on that," Minnix said.
The supervisors and School Board will have a joint meeting Tuesday to try to resolve their differences and schedule a referendum on a bond issue for the new high school and several other projects.
Architects say the 1,900-student school will cost $33.6 million. But the supervisors and County Administrator Elmer Hodge wanted the School Board to reduce the price by $3.6 million so an increase of only 2 cents in the real estate tax rate would be required.
But School Board members rejected the request after meeting with Hodge on Thursday night. They said they were ready to delay the new school if the supervisors wouldn't agree to the architects' estimate, which would require a 3-cent tax increase.
The School Board also rejected several conditions the supervisors had included in a proposed agreement on the bond issue, including deeding the Cave Spring Junior High property to the county and using fly ash as fill at the site of the new high school to save costs.
But Minnix indicated that supervisors might be flexible on the costs and conditions that were included in the proposed agreement.
Supervisor Bob Johnson agreed.
"I'm willing to talk, discuss, negotiate or do whatever is in the best interests of the children," Johnson said.
Supervisor Lee Eddy said he did not participate in the drafting of the proposed agreement, and he said he doesn't agree with some of the conditions.
"It doesn't reflect my position," he said. "I was surprised and disappointed by it. I don't agree with about five of the eight conditions."
Eddy said Hodge consulted with the supervisors individually and tried to come up with a compromise that satisfied everyone. "But I am not sure he has satisfied anyone," Eddy said.
Minnix said the supervisors want to limit the size of the bond package because they doubt voters will approve it if it requires a large increase in the real estate tax rate.
Hodge told the School Board that a recent survey by a private research company, commissioned by the county, showed that only 35 percent of county voters were willing to vote for a bond issue for a new school that required a tax increase.
"My objective is to put together a bond issue for schools, but still make it as easy on taxpayers as possible because we will have to have their support," Hodge said.
But School Board members said they believe voters will approve the bonds if they understand the need for the projects. They said the voters, not the supervisors, should decide whether the architects' estimate for the new school is reasonable.
"It is a matter of letting the citizens of the county decide if education is a priority," said Jerry Canada, board chairman.
Michael Stovall, board member from the Vinton District, said some voters might not favor a bond issue, but he believed support for schools was stronger than some supervisors apparently think.
"I feel like I'm in touch with people in my area, and education is important to them," he said.
Board member Maurice "Buck" Mitchell said the proposed March 5 date for a bond referendum doesn't give architects enough time to prepare plans of the new high school to show voters.
Johnson agreed that it will be difficult for school officials to educate voters about the need for the school projects in such a short period. But state law prohibits a special bond referendum within 60 days of municipal elections in May. Roanoke County won't hold elections then, but the town of Vinton will.
Minnix said he would be willing to consider another date, but Hodge said a later referendum could cause problems in planning next year's budget and acting on state Literary Fund loans for school projects.
If the supervisors approve the School Board's request, the package would require a $30.3 million bond referendum. An additional $9 million for the new school and other projects would come from Literary Fund loans and funds that were borrowed earlier.
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