THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, January 18, 1997 TAG: 9701180512
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: 86 lines
While geography may not be the deciding factor, beach residents clamoring for a second high school north of Oregon Inlet apparently have the numbers to back their request up.
Based on the Dare County Board of Education's 1995-96 enrollment figures, 54 percent of Dare County's schoolchildren come from the beaches north of Oregon Inlet - 2,260 of 4,182 students.
About 1,335, or 31.9 percent, live on Roanoke Island and the Dare County mainland. Fourteen percent, or 587, come from Hatteras Island.
The controversy over a new high school and other needs will be discussed again Tuesday, when representatives of the Wilmington-based consulting firm Boney Architects will participate in a 1 p.m. workshop with the board.
The meeting will be at the North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island. The discussion will center on cost estimates for a series of recommendations in a 25-page facilities study, done at a cost of $50,000 to the school district. The public is welcome, but comments will not be taken.
Among the recommendations:
A second high school north of Oregon Inlet.
A separate elementary facility on Hatteras Island, breaking up the county's only K-12 school
Construction of new classrooms at First Flight Middle School, First Flight Elementary School and Kitty Hawk Elementary School.
Conversion of Manteo Elementary School to a grades 3 to 5 facility, and construction of a new K-2 school.
Major repairs and renovations to schools systemwide.
The Dare County Board of Commissioners must pass a resolution by March 17 to legalize a proposed May 6 school bond referendum. Last week, Commissioners Robert V. ``Bobby'' Owens Jr. and Doug Langford said they wanted a complete picture of costs for the school construction plan.
Dare County Board of Education member Susie Walters said Friday that while costs were critical, her decision would be driven by other factors.
``Dollars are important,'' Walters said. ``But our primary goal is to meet the future needs of the county's school population. That's what will drive the decision.''
Walters also said that a change in state standards for secondary school construction is unlikely to affect Dare County'sconsideration as to where to build a new high school. Last week, the State Department of Public Instruction eased requirements that new high schools be built on a minimum 30-acre site.
``I personally don't see what impact this is going to have as far as another high school,'' she said. ``We have a site, and we own the land.''
Board Chairman Donna Buxton said Friday that Tuesday's meeting will be critical in determining how much progress has been made toward a May bond vote.
``I think it was a goal of the board to have a May 6 referendum,'' Buxton said. ``Tuesday's meeting will give an indication of how far we've come in getting that done.''
Buxton said cost figures for the building plan will be a priority at the meeting.
``The board has been working very hard to answer the commissioners' concerns,'' Buxton said. ``(Finance Officer) Becky Wescott has been working hard to put together some figures concerning school renovation. We realize how important it is to provide the commissioners and the public with the answers to the questions they have.'' ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
WHERE DO STUDENTS LIVE
Dare County enrollment:
(based on 1995-96 figures)
Beach communities: 2,260; 54 percent
Roanoke Island/Mainland: 1,335; 31.9 percent
Hatteras Island: 587; 14.1 percent
Total : 4,182
Manteo High School Enrollment:
(based on 1995-96 figures)
East Lake: 4 Stumpy Point: 4
Mashoes: 2 Manns Harbor: 44
Manteo: 228 Wanchese/Skyco: 79
Currituck Co.: 7 Duck: 7
Southern Shores: 88 Kitty Hawk: 112
Collington: 82 Kill Devil Hills: 156
Nags Head: 70 Pea Island: 1
Rodanthe: 2 Total: 886
KEYWORDS: DARE COUNTY SCHOOLS OUTER BANKS