Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, August 20, 1993 TAG: 9308200216
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: HILLSVILLE LENGTH: Short
The money being withheld is the amount by which the county exceeded the minimum local financial support required by state quality standards for the coming year.
The closing of six small schools has generated opposition and hostility in the affected communities.
Residents took the matter to court this month, but Circuit Judge Duane Mink ruled that the School Board was within its rights to close schools if necessary.
The closings were necessary because the supervisors did not provide enough local money to finance 16 schools.
The supervisors have voted 3-2 to cut the budget they previously approved, and say they will withhold the money until the school-closing controversy is resolved to their satisfaction.
More than 70 residents attended this month's School Board meeting, and some of them became aggressive as the board members left a one-hour closed session.
Someone pushed board member Hurley Vernon, and another person grabbed Chairman Mike Bolen by the tie before Sheriff R.D. Carrico and several deputies broke up the scuffle.
There were no charges or arrests.
by CNB