Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 29, 1994 TAG: 9406290131
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Supervisor Bob Johnson pressed his case Tuesday for a November bond referendum, saying county voters should decide whether they want the Cave Spring and Northside projects.
The Board of Supervisors voted to ask County Administrator Elmer Hodge to meet with school administrators to determine the financial impact of a school bond issue.
The supervisors asked for a report by late July or early August, in time for a November referendum.
Chairman Lee Eddy said a bond issue for schools might be a hard sell and that he would be reluctant to have a referendum this year.
Supervisor Fuzzy Minnix said voters should be told the full financial impact of a bond issue and whether it would require a tax increase.
"Let's lay out everything for the voters so they can decide," he said.
He said a $20 million bond issue might require an increase of 7 cents in the county's real estate tax rate. But Johnson accused Minnix of trying to put a political spin on the school issue by raising the possibility of a tax increase.
"I think it is irresponsible to say that a tax increase might be needed," Johnson told Minnix, who represents the Cave Spring district, where the new school would be built.
Johnson, who represents the Hollins district where Northside High is located, said he was surprised that Minnix would oppose a new school in Minnix's district.
"Of course, I would like to have a new high school, but the citizens need to know what they will have to pay," Minnix said.
He said the students, teachers and parents at Cave Spring Junior High School have been waiting several years for air conditioning and other improvements.
The School Board plans to spend $2.5 million on the junior high school and $2.5 million on the existing Cave Spring High in the next two to three years.
Minnix said the county has promised that the improvements will be made at Cave Spring Junior High. He fears that the bond might mean more delay on the air conditioning and other renovations.
If a new high school is built, the junior high students would be moved to the existing high school. The junior high school would become surplus property and could be used for another purpose or sold.
Johnson contends that it would be a waste of money to spend $5 million on the existing buildings when a new high school will be needed in eight years.
"These are stopgap measures. You ought to give the residents a chance to vote on the issue," Johnson said.
Supervisor Ed Kohinke said he would support a bond issue if school officials believe that it is needed.
Supervisor Harry Nickens said he agreed with Johnson that the county should avoid wasting taxpayers' money. He said he was confused by the school system's financial projections and wants more detailed information on the finances of a bond issue.
"When I get involved in large projects, I need more information than what we have been given," Nickens said.
The School Board already has bought a site for a new Cave Spring High, but it had not planned to build the school for eight to 10 years.
Chairman Frank Thomas said the School Board would like to have a new high school as soon as possible, but that would depend on whether county officials and voters favor it.
"You all will have to furnish the money," Thomas told the supervisors.
Hodge said the county staff and school administrators can develop financial projections within six weeks that will help the supervisors decide whether to have a bond referendum.
by CNB