
DATE: Monday, October 13, 1997              TAG: 9710130049

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY KATRICE FRANKLIN, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: SUFFOLK                           LENGTH:  124 lines

A BATTLE FOR FUNDING AND COMMUNITY SPIRIT RECALLING DELAYS, BACKERS PUSH FOR RENOVATION MONEY.

Charles Christian and his wife have never regretted building their one-story home across the street from Booker T. Washington Elementary School.

For almost four decades, they've enjoyed their view of their neighborhood: parents dropping off kids at the large brick building with bright red doors, kids playing happily on the playground and teachers arriving for another day of school.

Christian and others living off of East Washington and White Marsh avenues think of their neighborhood school as more than just a learning institution. Even during weekends, holidays and summers, it has been the soul of this community.

That's why about a week ago, more than 80 residents, former students and parents crammed into the City Council's last meeting, asking for $8.2 million to help what was once the city's only high school for blacks fight its battle against age and growth.

Their request, which included a petition signed by more than 900 parents and supporters, came almost three months before the council is likely to make decisions about Suffolk's building needs.

``Local organizations hold their meetings there, and nursery schools hold their graduation exercises,'' said Christian, a former physical education teacher and assistant principal at Booker T. ``Every Thanksgiving, a group hosts a basketball game there to raise money for food for those in need.''

``It's a valuable institution,'' he said. ``Former students hold reunions there every two years. It's important to the entire city.''

Built in 1953, Booker T.'s royal blue lockers, brown-and-black tile floors and patched ceilings have withstood time. The school still has the same chairs in its auditorium, chalkboards and sidewalks that it had in 1953.

But time has taken a toll.

The roof, for example, leaks in certain places.

``Last year, one piece fell on a teacher's assistant,'' Patricia Montgomery, the school's principal, said. ``She wasn't injured, but it could have been (on) a student. And it could have been a dangerous situation.''

The school, located on a former landfill, seems to be settling, and cracks are visible between the floors and walls.

More than one-third of the school's 600 students are taught in mobile units on the school's grounds. And some students with special needs are learning in what once were storage rooms.

Booker T.'s library, bathrooms, cafeterias and technology also are inadequate, Montgomery said.

The $8.2 million in requested renovations would give Booker T. 14 new classrooms; two sets of bathrooms; additional hallways, walls, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and kitchen space; a computer lab; a multipurpose room; a media center; and a teachers workroom.

Suffolk is having a hard time keeping up with growth. More than 700 new families call the 430-square-mile city home each year. And the schools can't meet the new demands of a population that increases an average of 5 percent to 7 percent annually.

Booker T. is one of seven schools slated for renovation by the School Board, which also is calling for four new schools by the year 2003.

While graduates and parents of Booker T. understand that there are other schools that need repair, they feel they've been overlooked.

``Booker T. has been a top priority for the last three years,'' said Karen Croston, the parent of a third-grader and a kindergartner who attend the school. ``Every year, we've been pushed back.

``We understand the city is growing and understand there is a great need for schools, but in the midst of growth you can't neglect what is already here - especially at the expense of our children,'' she said.

Booker T. first opened as a much smaller school on Lee Street - in what was then the 2-square-mile city of Suffolk. The school contained no cafeteria, and there were no buses, Christian recalled.

Students were allowed to walk home for lunch break, which lasted an hour and 20 minutes. And when it rained, they were released at 1.

``It was my first job, and I was only going to stay for one year,'' Christian said of his work at the school. ``But the warmth among the people, it grew on me. We cared about one another, and our programs excelled. And then Booker T. grew.

``It moved, and there was a cafeteria, a gymnasium and an auditorium.''

Supporters want to preserve the history but also give current students a chance to excel.

Cassandra Crawford, a parent whose child attends Booker T., said the school soon won't be able to prepare students for the technological world.

``Imagine Thanksgiving dinner,'' Crawford told the council. ``Now, imagine it without the turkey. . . ''

For the past few years, the School Board has asked the City Council to fund large building lists.

This year, the price tag is $142.2 million for the next six years. Of that, the School Board has asked for $35.3 million to get started.

The School Board requested $127.9 million last year. The city provided just over $10 million - for a new central elementary school.

Even though December is the earliest that the council will make a decision on what it will fund next year, some members already have said that Booker T. is first on their list.

``This battle at Booker T. will be addressed,'' said Councilman Curtis R. Milteer. ``. . . This council is committed to education.''

Vice Mayor Charles Brown said he, too, is concerned about safety at the school.

``Hopefully, we will have something in place to address the concerns at Booker T. and other schools, as well,'' Brown said. ``. . . If we fail in education in our city, nothing else really matters.''

Julia Bradley, who participates in a local Booker T. alumna chapter, said she doesn't want her alma mater to become an eyesore.

``It was so dear to me,'' said Bradley, a 1956 graduate. ``I want it to always remain there. And I want to see it equipped with the adequate programs for this modern day and time.''

Christian agrees.

``We are housing students in outside mobile units, and exposing them to an education that isn't adequate when they are just forming impressions of things,'' he said.

``We're not saying that the City Council won't make the right decision,'' Christian said. ``We just want them to see how important this is. These kids are our future.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]

BOOKER T.: $8.2 MILLION NEEDED

MICHAEL KESTNER/The Virginian-Pilot

The principal at Booker T. Washington Elementary, Patricia

Montgomery, points to trailers the crowded school must use for

classrooms.

DETAILS

The City Council will begin discussing its list of building needs

in a work session at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, 441 Market St.

Public hearings will be scheduled later. KEYWORDS: SUFFOLK SCHOOLS SUFFOLK CITY COUNCIL