THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 7, 1994 TAG: 9412070425
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY ANNE SAITA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RALEIGH LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
State Sen. Pro Tempore Marc Basnight said Tuesday that he will try to help Currituck County officials hold on to more than $500,000 that may be in jeopardy because of the county's rapid residential growth.
``I am very supportive of continuing their funding,'' Basnight, a Dare County Democrat, said from his Raleigh office.
``A request will be made (to the General Assembly) on their behalf by me as well as, I'm sure, others.''
A half-dozen Currituck officials met for an hour Tuesday morning with Senate leaders in Raleigh. They included County Manager Bill Richardson, School Board Chairwoman Mary Ellen Maxwell, Schools Superintendent W.R. ``Ronnie'' Capps and most of the county commissioners.
The group asked for legislative support to retain the $538,392 in small-schools funding that is at risk because of the rising number of students in Currituck County.
With 2,944 currently enrolled in three elementary schools, a junior high and a high school, the county will likely surpass the 3,000-cap by the next school year. The system averages 106 new students annually.
School systems under 3,000 pupils qualify for the state supplemental fund, regardless of economic conditions or local support.
Others with up to 4,200 students may still receive the state money if they meet numerous qualifying factors, Basnight said.
Just hours before the Currituck delegation drove to the state capitol, Capps asked commissioners to use caution when voting on future housing complexes.
``Many of the families in our county rely on development for their livelihoods whether they be landowners, Realtors, contractors or suppliers,'' he said. ``Those who advocate closing the gate at the state line are being punitive, unfair and naive.''
But, he added, ``our public officials, our developers and our residents have an obligation to maintain the quality of life in Currituck County.''
Capps' comments came during public hearings on three proposed subdivisions for the Moyock and Crawford townships. Collectively these plans would produce an estimated 524 new students, he said.
Should the schools lose the state funding next year, the shortfall will need to be made up elsewhere, such as a tax increase, Capps said in an earlier interview.
The small county supplemental funding pays for 13 classroom teachers, 2 1/2 school nurses and computer equipment and instruction. by CNB