ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, March 26, 1996 TAG: 9603260036
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A5 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
I HAVE sat back long enough. Now I feel I have to respond to letters to the editor, particularly to Kae Austin Bruch's remarks about the white elephant (March 20 letter, ``School may be a white elephant'').
I, too, lived in Fairfax, and have two children who are now teen-agers. What Bruch failed to mention was the advanced technology and better academic courses Fairfax had to offer that Roanoke may have in about five years if the new school is built.
I recently moved back to Roanoke after having been away for several years. I'm really disappointed to hear all of the negative remarks about Southwest County. Do parents or voters of other parts of the county realize that if the bond issue is defeated that it might affect other capital-improvement plans over the next five years?
Doesn't everyone realize that someone has to be first? Since we're the only ones in the county area with no middle school, why can't we be first? What about the fact that Cave Spring Junior High has no air conditioning? What about the fact that there's no room for growth at the present high-school site? What about overcrowding at the schools?
Can't we all pull together, forget our jealousy for the moment and think about the children and their futures? They're the ones who could be hurt. Everyone in Roanoke County needs to think about that!
CLAY CROOM
ROANOKE
Touted benefits are baloney
IN REBUTTAL to Susanne P. Wiseman (March 3 letter to the editor, ``School bond would boost economy'') and other letters favoring this issue:
The existing site of Cave Spring High School has space. One can go up or even underground as many office/factory buildings do. Also, one can control parking in the existing parking areas by using a first-come, first-serve basis or a lottery for available spaces for students. I don't think students are guaranteed parking spaces as a part of the education process.
Most businesses planning expansions know it's much cheaper to remodel an existing building than to buy land, hire an architect/contractor, and build from scratch. Wiseman is not an architect or engineer, so her statement about the impossibility of expanding halls doesn't have much credence.
She also talks about the ninth- through 12th-grade concept. Who cares? Education concepts come and go.
Most pro-bond letters point out the "dire" consequences of not doing what the educational establishment wants: The economy will suffer, etc. Although I'm not a fan of Pat Buchanan, he's right that America as a whole is losing jobs as companies relocate for cheaper labor. That, rather than a new school or no new school, is the guiding dynamic for corporate America.
The nitty-gritty is money: "The economy will improve so much that business taxes will pay for it." Baloney! A few years ago, school-improvement bonds were approved; taxes went up. Bonds for Spring Hollow Reservoir were approved; water bills increased and taxes went up. Yes, I have a child in school and yes, I'm voting no. I'm not going to buy the Brooklyn Bridge a third time.
KENNETH REDHEFFER
ROANOKE
No elitism at playground
IN RESPONSE to Cynthia Vaught's Feb. 15 letter to the editor, ``Zip-code elitism in the county'':
I'd like to help illuminate at least one major misconception about government services provided to Southwest Roanoke County residents. Freedom Playground at Penn Forest, located behind Penn Forest Elementary School, was not a county project.
Originating as a Penn Forest Elementary Parent-Teacher Association project in February 1991, plans for this complex greatly expanded. Intended to serve all Roanoke Valley citizens, the complex was designed to be totally accessible to all individuals. The goal was to provide a free-of-charge, year-round educational and recreational opportunity that welcomes individuals with disabilities to be full participatory users.
Built on county property committed by the School Board, Freedom Playground was created with private monies from individuals, organizations, businesses and foundations. Five hundred dollars in seed money from the PTA, plus a large grant from PUSH America, the service organization of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, was multiplied into contributions of cash, materials and labor totaling nearly $225,000. The concept development, design, fund raising and labor were all provided by a broad-based coalition of more than 300 community volunteers, including nearly 100 Pi Kappa Phi brothers from 16 chapters and six states. Talented public servants shared their technical expertise at critical phases of the bidding and construction process. It has been maintained by community volunteers and private donations.
This fully accessible playground, only the second of its type in the United States, represents the power of community spirit, caring and commitment. Dedicated to all children of the Roanoke Valley, the facility has been used by the able-bodied as well as those with disabilities; the young and old; male and female; black, white and brown; and residents of all zip-code areas throughout the entire valley.
As Roanoke County voters continue to debate the new Cave Spring High School issue, please do so with factual information.
SUSAN BLEVINS
ROANOKE
Space needs are pressing
I RETIRED after teaching 31 years in the public schools. During my tenure, as more pupil services became necessary, classroom space constraints became more prevalent.
I learned recently that students in the Roanoke County schools are using storage rooms for computer labs and special-education classrooms. These small areas are crowded and often lack ventilation. This significantly impedes learning and hampers teaching.
Our students need to be prepared for a global market. To meet these educational needs, Roanoke County schools need to invest in technology that will prepare graduates to survive in a global economy. It's very crucial that the April 2 bond referendum be approved. We cannot wait any longer for necessary physical improvements in our schools. The need is immediate!
DORIS PAYNE LEWIS
ROANOKE
LENGTH: Long : 114 linesby CNB