ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Sunday, December 29, 1996              TAG: 9612300006
SECTION: CURRENT                  PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 

COMMUNITY OBSERVER CORPS

The Community Observer Corps is a coalition of community organizations that monitors several of Montgomery County's elected and appointed boards each month. This month's report is by the League of Women Voters of Montgomery County.

Montgomery County School Board

Plus

The School Board supported the Board of Supervisors' position to renovate Blacksburg Middle School.

The number of hours spent in closed session decreased to 21.5 hours.

Minus

Architects advised the School Board that cost overrun for the new Riner elementary school was $2 million. This is prior to consideration of a request by parents for a 3,000-square-foot addition for a larger gym. To modify the present plan will require additional funds.

Monitoring

Two to three School Board members left the last two meetings before the meetings ended.

Montgomery County Board of Supervisors|

Plus

Permission was given for the Department of Social Services to move into its new building.

Minus

The supervisors directed county and school budget directors to do an in-house study to determine what the actual cost will be to taxpayers for the new schools. This was the decision despite past disagreements over budget reporting between school officials and supervisors.

Five hours were spent in closed session in November.

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