ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, October 10, 1996 TAG: 9610100050
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: COMPILED BY PAUL DELLINGER
* A parent's concern over having grades for advanced placement courses count more heavily than those for normal courses drew the attention of the Pulaski County School Board Tuesday night. The board discussed weighted grades for college-level classes with Pulaski County High School administrators after at least one parent expressed misgivings over their effect. Grades for honors courses are not weighted. Terri Fitzwater, a parent, told the School Board on Tuesday that the weighted grades could determine who is valedictorian and salutatorian. She said she was representing other parents with similar concerns. Principal Jim Kelly said school officials had met with parents when the procedure started, but he agreed to meet again if parents still had questions. "I think at this time we haven't heard of any movement of any disgruntled folks," board Chairman Lewis Pratt said. Board member Rhea Saltz asked whether weighted grades should be eliminated. Superintendent Bill Asbury said a case could be made for that because colleges and universities are concerned how to gauge grade-point averages that vary from school to school.
* Pulaski County school officials will seek bids on replacing part of the county high school roof on an emergency basis. The roof over the band and choral areas at Pulaski County High School has been plagued with leaks, and the School Board voted Tuesday to declare repairs an emergency. Cracks have already formed and will do extreme damage unless repairs are made quickly, said Superintendent Bill Asbury. Invoking the Emergency Procurement Act allows bids to be sought directly from firms that have bids on other school projects rather than going through the longer process of advertising for bids over a specified period of time. Walter Shannon, the school system's business manager, noted that other firms could still bid on the project.
* The work is made possible by last month's agreement by the county Board of Supervisors to make more than $500,000 available for emergency capital school needs. Other critical needs to be addressed in the near future include:
* Roof replacement at Newbern Elementary School
* Electrical service upgrades at Claremont Elementary School
* Installation of an elevator and modifications to rest rooms at Dublin Middle School to allow access by the handicapped. The elevator project will not be completed this school year, because bids and specifications must first be sought. Board member Rhea Saltz questioned the worth of such an expensive project because the board is considering long-range building options that include closing Dublin Middle School. Asbury, however, said the schools were in violation of the law by not having handicapped facilities.
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