ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, February 10, 1996 TAG: 9602120012
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
Construction might start by summer on the renovation of Fort Lewis Elementary School and a major addition to William Byrd High School, two projects that could affect the bond referendum for a new Cave Spring High in Roanoke County.
Superintendent Deanna Gordon said state officials have notified her that Literary Fund loans will be available for Fort Lewis and William Byrd sooner than expected. The county had not anticipated getting the money for another year or two.
If the Board of Supervisors temporarily provides some construction funds until the loan paperwork is completed, work can probably begin by June or July, Gordon said. The School Board could repay the supervisors with the Literary Fund money.
School officials are hoping the proposed early start will boost voter support for the $37.4 million bond referendum for a new Cave Spring High School and several smaller projects.
Some residents in Vinton and Fort Lewis have complained that their school needs have been slighted because most of the bond money has been earmarked for the new Cave Spring High.
The $1.4 million Fort Lewis project will renovate one of the county's oldest schools and add air conditioning, a new gym, cafeteria and other facilities. The William Byrd addition will include 22 classrooms and cost $3.3 million.
"We have planned for all of our schools," Gordon said.
The School Board has approved a five-year plan for nearly $90 million in improvements to schools throughout the county.
But Amber Sagester, a board member for the Fort Lewis Parent-Teacher Association, said Friday that she doubts the early start on Fort Lewis and William Byrd will rally support for the referendum.
"I wonder if this is just a political ploy to try to get votes for the bond issue," Sagester said. "If it's going to be $37.4 million, we would like to get more than $1 million for west county."
Sagester said she didn't see any connection between the bond referendum and projects financed with Literary Fund loans.
The bond referendum includes $33.6 million for the new high school; $2.8 million to complete the Northside gymnasium; $1 million for equipment for Glenvar Middle School; $800,000 for renovations of Mount Pleasant Elementary; and smaller amounts for other projects.
Marion Roark, who represents the Catawba District on the School Board, said the early start on Fort Lewis is good news for west county. Fort Lewis parents have complained for years about the delay on the project.
School officials have attempted to broaden support for the bond referendum by including smaller projects in each of the other four magisterial districts, but voters in some areas are still unhappy.
Some residents also have complained about rising real estate assessments and higher taxes that might be required to repay the bonds.
A 2-cent increase in the county's real estate tax rate, now $1.13, is the maximum that would be required to repay the bonds, the Board of Supervisors has said.
A 2-cent increase would mean an additional $20 in taxes per year on a $100,000 house.
County Administrator Elmer Hodge said a smaller increase - or none at all - might be needed to pay off the bonds. He said this would depend on revenue projections for the next budget year and General Assembly actions affecting local revenues.
LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: DON PETERSEN/Staff. A state loan will spur long-awaitedby CNBrenovation at Fort Lewis Elementary. The money also will pay for a
major addition at William Byrd High. color.