THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 12, 1997 TAG: 9702120537
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: 91 lines
Thirty speakers made final pleas to the Dare County Board of Education Tuesday night as the panel prepared to recommend a bond issue to finance a controversial facilities budget.
Most of the speakers reiterated what the board had heard earlier, but even with a two-minute time limit their comments pushed the formal action by the board to late in the evening.
The board has been talking about a facilities plan that would require $59.5 million and among other things would finance the construction of another high school on the beach. That issue has divided voters, some of whom object to two high schools. Others want the current Manteo High School enlarged. Still others want a single high school that is located on the beach.
No formal action by the board had been taken at press time. A full report will be carried in Thursday's Pilot.
The board's meeting came after a series of hearings relating to the facilities proposals, which were concluded Monday at Buxton. A private meeting to discuss the facilities programs was also held Monday, at Manteo.
At Buxton, about 300 turned out at Cape Hatteras School to question the board members.
Politely but firmly they reiterated their desire for a new elementary school, a performing arts center and an equal share of money from a proposed $59.5 million school construction bond.
But at least one member of the standing-room-only crowd wanted something even more basic - a warm classroom.
``Maybe it would be nice if we had a classroom that was heated,'' said Cape Hatteras Student Government Association president Jerry Vess. ``That's one of the things we need. I hope this is the start of something that will give us the things we need.''
One by one, speakers addressed issues such as curriculum and a separate elementary school and then made a pitch for repairs to the current facilities.
``We have faucet drips that could have paid for a new facility,'' said Marta Langowski, a former Dare County Teacher of the Year. ``I'm for the kids, I'm for the teachers and I'm for families. They can't wait years for this.''
Another island resident, Jim Webb, urged the board to put academics ahead of construction needs.
``Look at programs and curriculum first, and open them to all the children of Dare County,'' Webb said. ``Build the buildings to facilitate curriculum, not the reverse.''
Meanwhile, the heat that was missing in Hatteras was in large supply at a meeting in Manteo of the Citizens for Responsible School Planning. School Board member Fletcher Willey spoke to about 75 members of the group, which has criticized many aspects of the bond proposal.
During a question and answer period, Willey disputed claims that there was room for expansion at the present Manteo High facility.
Louis Midgett Sr., who served as chairman of the Board of Education for some two decades, said there is room to add to the present Manteo campus. Midgett said that the makeup of the 13-member High School Task Force, composed of community leaders from throughout the county, was weighted toward the pro-beach high school view.
``It pains me to differ with someone I have so much respect for,'' Willey said. ``But we got clear data from a Department of Public Instruction study that recommended that we not expand Manteo High School.''
Willey also defended the board against charges that it had neglected maintenance problems at district facilities. A handwritten sign at the front of the Manteo Middle School Auditorium read: ``If you don't take care of the toys you have, don't ask for new ones.''
``The present board of education has not neglected buildings the way it has been presented,'' Willey said. ``Over the past two years, our two major priorities have been increased pay for teachers and technology upgrades,'' Willey said.
Other parents were angry about alleged foot-dragging in roof repairs. The Dare County Board of Commissioners allocated $250,000 each for three years for the work beginning in the 1994-95 fiscal year. To this point, Commissioner Doug Langford said, that money has not been spent.
Willey, however, said the school district did not receive qualified bids for the projects in the early going. However he said, roof repairs at Kitty Hawk School have begun.
When asked about a roof study that placed Kitty Hawk at the bottom of the priority list for repairs, Willey responded: ``The board considered that an administrative matter, and we turned it over to Dr. Holleman.''
When asked by Manteo resident Barbara Holton, ``Who does Dr. Holleman work for?'' Willey answered, ``Your point is well taken.''
On the curriculum question, Willey pledged to fight for equal educational opportunity.
``I may not be on this board after my term is up,'' Willey said. ``But as long as I have breath in my body, I'll fight for equal curriculum.''
Unlike the Hatteras meeting which was calm and low-key, shouting erupted at least two occasions during the Manteo meeting. Some frustrated citizens walked out while Willey was at the podium. Others thanked him for coming.
At both gatherings, some called for an end to personal bickering.
``There has been talk of business boycotts and personal attacks,'' said Roanoke Island businessman Uli Bennewitz. ``We do not advocate that in any way.''