ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, April 24, 1996 TAG: 9604240062
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
The cost of the next package of proposed school improvements in Roanoke County could be higher than the $37.4 million bond issue for a new Cave Spring High School and other projects that was recently defeated.
By early next year, the School Board will develop a list of improvements in all parts of the county that will be designed to counter complaints of favoritism that arose in the bond referendum campaign, Chairman Jerry Canada said Tuesday.
The board will hire consultants soon to work with parents and others on a study of school needs in all areas and rank them in priority, he said.
"The numbers on the projects we will bring back might be larger than the numbers we've been dealing with," Canada told the Board of Supervisors.
The supervisors will have to decide whether to hold another referendum or to finance the improvements through the Virginia Public School Service Authority without asking voters to approve them, Canada said.
Money is at the heart of the debate over school improvements, he told the supervisors.
"We can talk about one high school, two high schools or renovating existing schools, but it all comes down to funding," Canada said. "The question is whether the citizens are willing to pay for the improvements."
In the aftermath of the bond's defeat, Vice Chairman Michael Stovall said, the School Board has "to regroup and consider the needs in all areas of the county."
Some voters complained that too much of the recent bond issue - $33.6 million - would have been spent for the new Cave Spring school.
Until the countywide study is finished, the board is not expected to make a decision on renovating Cave Spring High and Cave Spring Junior High or solving the space shortage in Southwest County. Several board members have said it is unlikely a new school will be built.
Canada said the consultants' study couldn't be finished until late this year or early next year because the board wants parents to participate. Many parents will be on vacation and out of town this summer, he said.
Some board members favor finishing the Northside gym project and providing new equipment for Glenvar Middle School - two projects that were included in the proposed bond issue - before the study is completed.
But 742 residents, mainly from Southwest County, have signed a petition asking the county to halt all spending on school improvement projects until the study is finished and all school needs are prioritized.
Kathy Finch, who presented the petition to the supervisors Tuesday, said the signatures were collected in the past week. The residents complain it would be unfair to spend any more on projects until all of the school needs are ranked, she said.
But Canada doesn't think the board should put the Northside project on hold or delay two other improvements - the renovation of Fort Lewis Elementary School and an addition to William Byrd High School. The Fort Lewis and William Byrd projects will be financed with state Literary Loans and were not included in the proposed bond issue.
School Board members met with supervisors Tuesday afternoon and asked for nearly $5 million more in county funds than the $2.3 million that already has been tentatively allocated.
In a late-night budget work session, supervisors reached a consensus to stay with the $2.3 million.
Supervisors Chairman Bob Johnson has proposed the appointment of a task force of county residents to study school needs, funding and other issues arising from the referendum.
Canada said he would be receptive to a committee that is appointed by the School Board to develop a priority ranking for school projects after the consultants' study is finished. If the supervisors want to appoint their own task force for other issues, he said he wouldn't object.
Supervisor Lee Eddy, who supports Johnson's proposal, said he was disappointed by Canada's reaction.
"We are taking the heat on funding and the referendum. I'm a little disturbed that you don't want to work cooperatively," Eddy said.
Canada denied that the board doesn't want to work with the supervisors. The board would welcome nominations or suggestions from the supervisors for people to serve on the committee, he said.
School Board member Tom Leggette said he's not sure what Johnson's proposed task force would do. "Until I know what he wants, I'm not sure I can support it," he said.
Johnson told the board that he was "just trying to extend a hand and say [the supervisors] are trying to work cooperatively" on schools issues. He said supervisors will have to make the funding decisions on the school improvements.
Despite the referendum defeat, he said, the schools needs will be met. "This county won't stop attending to the needs of the children. We are going to get a better plan."
Cave Spring Supervisor Fuzzy Minnix said he doesn't fault the School Board for the defeat of the bond issue, but believes that something must be done about crowded conditions and other problems at Cave Spring High and Junior High.
Vinton Supervisor Harry Nickens said he doesn't think the county should proceed on any projects that were included in the defeated bond package without a new plan.
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