ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Thursday, March 7, 1996                TAG: 9603070029
SECTION: CURRENT                  PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU 

FORUM TO FOCUS ON NEW RINER SCHOOL ISSUE

Tonight, Riner area PTAs will sponsor a public forum to discuss what's been happening - and possibly what should happen - with the new Riner Elementary School.

The new 750-pupil school would replace the present Riner and Bethel elementary schools. The School Board planned to build the school behind the campus of Auburn High and Middle School, on a 40-acre section of a privately owned farm.

The Board of Supervisors agreed to condemn that land, but then switched its decision after several Riner residents protested the condemnation.

Last Friday, during a joint meeting, supervisors told the School Board they could not support its 40-acre proposal, but might endorse buying a smaller plot of land - around 20 acres.

A few School Board members said they would try to rally support for the original, 40-acre proposal, in preparation for the supervisors meeting on Monday.

The PTA-sponsored public hearing will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Auburn High and Middle School.

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