ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, June 12, 1996 TAG: 9606120061
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
The Roanoke School Board should hire consultants to suggest options for renovating or replacing Patrick Henry and William Fleming high schools, the city's Long-Range Planning Committee for Schools said Tuesday night. - and to help build public support for a bond issue that might be required to finance the improvements.
That recommendation came Tuesday night from the city's Long-Range Planning Committee for Schools, which
The committee said consultants also could help build public support for a bond issue that might be required to finance the improvements.
School officials estimate that such a study could cost up to $250,000.
"We feel pretty strongly that hiring a consultant is necessary," said Robert Turcotte, co-chairman of the committee. "Our work benefited from a presentation by a consultant who helps communities review school programs and needs involving the entire community."
Planning for the future of the city's high schools, which are about 35 years old, is still in the early stages, he said. "Paramount to the success of the project is that all people in our community are involved in shaping the future of education."
Turcotte said the committee has not reached any conclusion on whether a bond issue will be needed, but some school officials have said privately that it is likely.
Board Chairman Nelson Harris agreed that broad public support will be needed for the city to renovate or replace its high schools.
"This is a very important undertaking. We know what happened to a neighboring locality and a high school," Harris said, referring to the recent defeat of a bond issue in Roanoke County for a new Cave Spring High School. The board will take up the committee's recommendation at a planning meeting soon, he said.
The city's 22-member long-range committee is composed of community leaders, parents and others with an interest in schools. It has prepared a plan for citizen participation in developing a consensus on high school improvements.
The planning process would include a series of community meetings, open houses at the high schools, distribution of "fact sheets" and a committee of 100 community leaders to relay information to residents.
The committee has estimated that it could take six or seven years to plan, finance and complete the renovations or construction of the school projects.
School officials say Patrick Henry and William Fleming will need to be renovated or replaced after the city finishes renovating its oldest middle schools in 1999.
When Patrick Henry and William Fleming opened in the early 1960s, the campus-style schools were described as being in the forefront of new designs for high schools. But officials said extensive changes have occurred in high school curriculum and programs in the past three decades.
No cost estimate has been made for renovating or replacing the schools.
Patrick Henry's enrollment is almost 1,800 and William Fleming's is nearly 1,400.
Educational research probably would discourage school officials from considering having only one high school in Roanoke, although that could be an option.
For years, some researchers have said the optimal size for a high school is 1,500 to 1,700 students, while others said a school with 2,000 students could run well if it is organized into smaller units.
But a recent study said the ideal size for a high school is 600 to 900 students. Researchers at the University of Michigan found that students recorded the highest scores on reading and math achievement tests in schools with enrollments of 600 to 900.
In other action, the board:
Voted to buy $491,705 worth of computers, printers and other educational technology from Apple Computer despite the company's financial problems. Board member John Saunders said he is worried that Apple might fold and city schools could be left with a lot of equipment that would not be compatible with other technology. Superintendent Wayne Harris said school officials are confident that the Apple technology will remain viable.
Agreed to extend a lease with L.C. Flying Service and the city for space at Roanoke Regional Airport so the school system's aviation program can continue. Harris said 53 students were in the program this year.
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