THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Saturday, February 11, 1995            TAG: 9502110041
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 
SOURCE: BY ANNE SAITA, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: BARCO                              LENGTH: Short :   48 lines

ARCHITECT, SCHOOL BOARD TO DISCUSS NEW CURRITUCK SCHOOL

The Currituck County Board of Education will again discuss plans for the new high school with its chief architect at a work session 5 p.m. Monday in the Currituck County High School media center.

Last week the county's board of commissioners agreed to fund the project for up to $16.5 million, which will include the construction, architectural fees and furnishings for the 159,455-square-foot facility.

Some $2.5 million of that total amount was added to the amount originally budgeted solely for construction, after the low bid came in millions more than planned.

The two boards spent the past month debating funding of the new high school, which will be located next to the existing high school in Barco.

The older high school will then become a junior high school. Knapp Junior High in Currituck will be converted into an elementary school.

Following the Monday work session, a reception for participants in the ``Business and Schools: Partners for Children Program'' will be held from 6 to 7 p.m.

The program pairs students with business owners, employees, parents and community residents for tutoring, reading and special activities throughout the school year.

The program has been a big success with more than 40 local businesses signed up, said Diane Knox, the program coordinator, at an earlier school board meeting.

At 7 p.m., the school board will hold its regular monthly meeting and possibly take action on a multimillion-dollar technology plan that will provide computer work stations in every classroom countywide.

A 31-member committee of school personnel and community residents have drafted a plan to enhance student learning and staff effectiveness through broader, more extensive knowledge of computers.

More televisions, videocassette recorders and media retrieval systems also are a part of the six-phase program.

Other agenda items include an overview of the A+ Arts program, a status on school construction projects and an update on the state report card.

Rich Wardle will address the board on strategies to reduce academic failure. by CNB