MORE INFORMATION SOUGHT ON CRACKS IN SCHOOL WALLS

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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 26, 1992                   TAG: 9202260069
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-6   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: New River Valley bureau
DATELINE: PULASKI                                LENGTH: Short
MORE INFORMATION SOUGHT ON CRACKS IN SCHOOL WALLS
County officials want more information on cracks in walls from a settlement problem at Northwood Elementary School before spending any money on the problem.
Superintendent William Asbury and School Board Chairwoman Irene Kegley had written the Board of Supervisors, asking for $110,000 in capital funds - $10,000 to develop design specifications to bid the project and $100,000 to cover it. The cracks are in the kitchen-area wall. They have existed for several years but seem to be getting worse.
The situation has been evaluated by Mills, Oliver & Webb Inc., architects and engineers of Blacksburg, which said the problem was caused by settlement and gave the repair estimates.
The school officials said there is no immediate safety threat in the building, but action is needed soon to prevent a more serious and costly problem. The Board of Supervisors considered approving money for a study at its meeting Monday night, but decided to seek more information first.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB