Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, May 25, 1990                   TAG: 9005250685
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A4   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Medium

STATE BOARD BACKS SCHOOL FOR THE GIFTED

The board voted 5-3 Thursday to support the concept of a school funded by public and private money after debating whether bright students are being hurt by disparity among local school divisions.

Supporters said the endorsement would keep the project alive until funding is available, but opponents said another program for the gifted should not be backed when the state budget is pinched.

"I feel a strong obligation to serve every child as well as we can," said Suzanne F. Thomas, the board's chairwoman. "While the fiscal restraints are apparent at the present time, it is my view that this board needs to be thinking well ahead."

Board member Frances A. Lewis said she could not see making the school a priority "either as a public person or as a private funder."

She was joined in opposing the resolution by James P. Jones and Alvin J. Schexinder, who were both recently appointed to the board by Gov. L. Douglas Wilder.

"At a time when disparity and financial considerations are of such importance, I simply think that our support of this concept at this time is not indicated," Jones said.

Thomas L. Gorsuch, another board member, responded that gifted students are ill-served by public schools geared toward low expectations and mediocrity.

"The top end of the curve is being treated with disparity in our schools today," he said.

Board member Sandra Adair Vaughan did not attend the meeting but sent a message that she opposes the school.

The boarding school would cost as much as $30 million to build and would serve up to 900 of the state's brightest 10th to 12th graders at a cost of about $13,000 per student annually.

A legislative subcommittee is looking into whether Montpelier, an Orange County estate once owned by President James Madison, would be a feasible site for the boarding school.

It would be similar to residential schools for the gifted in North Carolina and six other states.

The North Carolina school is run with public and private funds. But a survey of 65 Virginia business leaders brought mixed comments about whether they would support such a school.

Regional day schools for the gifted in Fairfax, Hampton, Lynchburg and Roanoke now serve about 24 of the state's 133 school divisions. The state also offers residential summer schools for the gifted.