ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, August 26, 1996 TAG: 9608260075
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRISTINA NUCKOLS STAFF WRITER
Roanoke County Supervisors agreed during a two-day retreat this weekend they need to get back to basics if they're going to improve cooperation with the School Board.
"I think it every bit boils down to planning and relationship, the two things we don't have," said Vinton District Supervisor Harry Nickens.
During the retreat at the Holiday Inn Tanglewood, better relations between the two boards emerged as a top priority, along with eradication of sectionalism within the county.
It became clear that the two groups have work to do on increasing communication. Supervisors expressed uncertainty about the activities of a 22-member advisory committee set up after this spring's failed school bond referendum.
"I have no idea what their charge is," said Supervisor Chairman Bob Johnson of the Hollins District. "Isn't it embarrassing to you as an elected official of this county that I don't know what their charge is? ... We don't know what's going on, and I don't blame anyone other than us."
Since each supervisor appointed two members to the committee, Windsor Hills Supervisor Lee Eddy suggested each supervisor talk individually with his own appointees. Eddy also proposed that the supervisors request copies of the committee's minutes.
Cave Spring Supervisor Fuzzy Minnix said he expects the committee to come up with recommendations on where the county's next school should be built and other needs for existing schools.
"I'm guessing they're going to come back with state-of-the-art, which is going to mean big dollars," he said.
Supervisors agreed to invite School Board members on a joint retreat, an idea welcomed by School Board Chairman Thomas Leggette.
"I am more than willing," he said Sunday from his home. "In fact, we had hoped we'd be invited to this retreat."
Leggette said he's interested in hearing supervisors' ideas, even though the supervisors had reservations about the reception they'd get for some issues touched on this weekend. The more controversial ideas included changes in attendance zones, hiring a paid professional manager to oversee a school building program rather than relying on school staff, and combining departments to serve the county government and school system in fields such as procurement.
Johnson said he already has proposed that the school system turn over operation of its school bus garage to the county for an estimated savings of $300,000, but was turned down.
"It went over like a pregnant pole vaulter," he said.
Nevertheless, he said, he was glad interest in cooperative ventures was again being addressed.
"Until this meeting, this board has not had the collective guts to open this can of worms," he said. "This worm is out from underneath the rock. It's going to be interesting to see how it wiggles."
During their discussions on sectionalism and the perception that there are "haves and have-nots" within various communities, supervisors agreed that new parks should be developed in regional ventures with surrounding cities and counties.
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