THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, February 18, 1997 TAG: 9702180356
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY CATHERINE KOZAK, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: 77 lines
With the pressure mounting from all sides of the school bond debate, the Dare County Board of Commissioners Monday invited the school board to meet at a joint workshop Friday.
``We have been asked to fast-track this process,'' Commissioner Douglas Langford said to his colleagues. ``In order to do so, I think it would be a great benefit to meet in a workshop format.''
Langford also suggested that the meeting could afford the public a chance to question members of both panels about the proposed $59.5-million bond referendum.
Board of Education representative Janice Tillett said the meeting will be held at the Manteo Middle School at 1:30 p.m. Friday if school board members are able to attend. Tillett also said the educators will be willing to continue the meeting beyond dinnertime. The public will be welcome and a question-and-answer session is expected to be conducted.The county board will meet at 9 a.m. Friday with its bond counsel, Don Ubell, to discuss details of the bond process. Commissioners will decide whether the proposed school bond gets on the ballot May 20, the date the Board of Education has targeted.
If the workshop is held Friday, it will be the second joint meeting between the boards to discuss the school bond - and the first since educators approved the proposal. Many county residents have complained that there has been no opportunity for their questions to be answered directly by the school board.
Several citizens earlier Monday had urged the commissioners not to get swallowed by the growing tide of contention around the issue.
``I appeal to this board to slow things down,'' said Manteo resident Barbara Holton.
``I know that you'll make a wise decision.''
Manteo developer Malcolm Fearing also urged caution.
``There's an urgency to get it out for a vote,'' he told commissioners. ``Many times decisions made in haste are not in the best interest of all.''
But Chuck Burton, representing the new activist group Citizens for the School Bond, said that any further delay will be harmful.
``If there's a sense of urgency it is because we are behind schedule in meeting the needs for our students and community as a whole.''
Alan Hooper, a Manteo High School sophomore and Commissioner Shirley Hassell's grandson, wondered how the district will meet all its new demands when it can't even provide enough paper or lab supplies at the present high school.
Added Hooper: ``Why haven't the opinions of students been taken into consideration?''
In another school matter, the commissioners agreed to appropriate out of the county's fund balance an unexpected $203,193 cost related to increased local share in 1996 of teachers' salaries, bonuses and health and worker's compensation insurance. State changes in education benefits were done after the county passed its own budget, the board said.
In other business Monday, commission members:
Approved appropriation of up to $75,000 to rent a helicopter for about six weeks for Dare Medflight while two new engines are installed on the present helicopter. The board also approved the financing contract and budget amendment to provide for purchase of the engines for $610,000.
Instructed the county attorney and county manager to pursue the building contractor to have leaks fixed at the new Fessenden Center on Hatteras Island.
Heard that the Durant Channel and Walter Slough near Hatteras have won the support of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps notified the board this week that it will request funds to initiate feasibility studies for navigation projects for each channel. The channels are considered important for navigation by commercial fishermen.
Refused again to support a resolution against a proposed saltwater fishing license, saying it is too early to take a position. But the panel asked the county attorney to monitor movement of the law in the legislature.
Approved a resolution opposing adoption of new pier and dock rules by the state Coastal Resources Commission.
Listened to a presentation by Jack Overman Jr., the county's representative on the First Flight Centennial Commission. Overman presented a report to the board about plans for the anniversary celebration of the Wright Brothers flight Dec. 17, 1903.
``You've got a steamroller coming down the highway here, and I don't think a lot of people realize that,'' Overman said. ``This is going to have a big impact here.''