THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 19, 1997 TAG: 9701160113
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 154 lines
Over the past several months, a great deal of attention has been focused on the need for improvements, renovation and construction of new school facilities in Dare County. Various comments have expressed concerns regarding a second high school north of Oregon Inlet. All concerns should be carefully considered as we move forward with plans to fulfill facility demands that our schools are facing.
The greatest concern, however, should be the time element involved in making the facilities available and adequate to accommodate current and future needs. The controversial issue of one large high school versus two smaller high schools north of Oregon Inlet is going to have to be addressed by determining what will be the most practical option. The purpose of this letter is not to debate the options, but to express support for the urgent need to move forward.
The elected officials who make up the Dare County Board of Education have the responsibility to weigh the options and to provide us with a plan that will provide the best alternatives for all of the students. Our elected officials who make up the Dare County Board of Commissioners have delegated this responsibility to the school board. And now it is up to the commissioners to listen to the Board of Education's recommendations.
In order to have a bond referendum in May, many decisions will have to be made in a short period of time. Members of the school board have expressed confidence that the time frame will be sufficient for them to make the right choices. But our commissioners have expressed doubt. The bond referendum should be brought to the public as soon as it is feasible. But it should reflect sound judgment concerning the needs for all school projects and give due consideration to the costs involved. A fast-track attempt to meet a quick deadline may leave many voters too uncomfortable to support the referendum, so the members of the school board must make every possible effort to provide as much information as possible to the public regarding the decisions that have to be made, and to provide much needed reassurance to the voters as well as the commissioners.
The Board of Education has informed us of three independent studies done before the most recent recommendations from the Boney architects. Each of the studies has drawn similar conclusions. The high school in Manteo is currently in excess of 200 students over its original capacity. The student population will continue to grow significantly each year just as a result of the students who will advance from the middle schools. Delaying action to study the needs any further would serve no worthwhile purpose.
Another factor to consider should be to look at the increased costs that could result from further delaying of action. The recent November election passed a statewide bond issue that will provide school districts throughout the state with matching funds for new school construction. As more districts move forward with their plans, the demand for design, engineering and construction will force prices higher. The sooner we begin, the better off we should be while competing to get quality contracts without inflated prices.
The Board of Directors of the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution to support the state bond referendum in November, and also have been actively involved in promoting the local school bond referendum. We would like to encourage the public to become informed on these issues. The Chamber of Commerce will be including factual information in its monthly newsletters to its members. And we hope that we can serve the community as a leader for promoting our educational needs.
Dare County schools have consistently ranked as some of the best in the state. And we hope to maintain that standard in the future.
Rick Mizelle
Chairman of the Board
Outer Banks Chamber
of Commerce Auditorium is needed for study of the arts
Much has been said and written regarding the proposed school bond referendum. As president of the Outer Banks Forum and as a former teacher, I would like to address the issue of an auditorium either in conjunction with the proposed First Flight expansion or as a separate entity. This could be accomplished by public support or in a public-private partnership.
Educators are coming to realize more and more that the study of the arts IS education, not a mere frill, and that many people attribute their success to the discipline of one or more of the art forms, as well as a stimulant to their creative potential.
In addition to providing an active study of the arts, our students need to display their talents in a venue that enhances their efforts. An auditorium would fulfill this need. Student art shows, science and math fairs and contributions to the PTA's Reflections project could be displayed in the lobby. Countywide band festivals, choral and dance concerts and theatrical productions could be presented in an auditorium. Graduation ceremonies need not be at the mercy of the weather or limited in numbers to attend. The PTA Cultural Arts groups, the Outer Banks Forum and the Dare County Arts Council have presented many high quality programs, which could be augmented. How much better a ``high'' from an exciting performance than from less desirable elements.
In its formative years, the Forum was influential in the addition of a stage to the Kitty Hawk School and has been bringing a variety of programs to the area for almost 15 years. With an auditorium that is both visually and aurally better than our present facility and in a location that would be more central to all our residents, our programs could be upgraded both in quality and diversity.
The Theatre of Dare, the Dare County Arts Council, the Tourist Bureau and the Chamber of Commerce could use such a facility extensively - with no cost to the taxpayers. This has been demonstrated time and again by other counties.
I suggest that the realization of an Outer Banks auditorium would provide our children with a broader spectrum of education, celebrate our diverse arts and cultures and help to foster a sense of community for all of us.
Joan Freemantle
Outer Banks Forum President
Kitty Hawk Live Hatteras concert was rare opportunity
I would like to thank Cape Hatteras School for providing the venue for a very fine concert Jan. 4. The opportunity to hear ``live'' music is rare on Hatteras Island. I had to wonder why more people (particularly students) weren't encouraged to attend, especially because the proceeds from this show went toward an art scholarship for a Cape Hatteras School student.
It seems to me that music and the arts should be given as much energy and consideration at our school as the sports programs. Sports can be a vehicle to promote team cooperation and also build agility and stamina. The study of music not only exercises one's mind and physical agility, but most importantly stirs and inspires one's heart and soul. Learning to play an instrument is an enrichment, and brings enjoyment and satisfaction throughout one's life.
Thanks to the folks whose efforts made the concert happen. I, for one, would like Cape Hatteras School to consider the benefits of putting on more concerts during the year.
Lisa Cooper
Buxton Will someone get hooked on this cat?
Once upon a time in Dare County, there lived a cat named Miranda. Miranda was homeless and hungry. A good place to go when you're homeless and hungry is to church. And that's exactly where Miranda went.
She showed up one day shortly before Christmas 1995 at St. Andrews by the Sea Episcopal Church in Nags Head. Parishioners there fed her and gave her a sturdy cardboard box to sleep in.
Around mid-March, Miranda stopped eating and her fur began to fall out. A kindly soul attending an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting at the church became worried about the cat and took her to Feline Hope, a Kitty Hawk cat shelter. Three days later, Dr. Andrew Horne, a Kitty Hawk veterinarian, extracted a 4-inch fish hook from Miranda's throat.
Luci Twiford, spokeswoman for Martin's Point Veterinarian Hospital, said Miranda had swallowed the fish hook. It was stuck sideways across the back of her throat and imbedded in both sides. Meowch! After much difficulty, Dr. Horne managed to pull the hook out and send Miranda on her road to recovery.
Since then, Miranda has been waiting patiently for someone to adopt her and give her a safe and loving home. She is healthy, has been spayed and is current on her vaccinations. She would probably do best in a home with a safe yard where she could play outside or even stay outside most of the time. Children and dogs seem to make her nervous, so she'd probably do best in a home without small children or dogs.
Hopefully, someone reading this will give this very sweet and tenacious cat a safe and loving home - and this story a happy ending.
If you are interested in adopting Miranda, please call 441-7918, 261-8041 or 261-7130.
Sandra Floyd
Manns Harbor ILLUSTRATION: Miranda