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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 27, 1994                   TAG: 9407270060
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

BONDS LAY FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE

By most measures of bond issues, this one is small - but it could have far-reaching implications for Roanoke's children, school officials said Monday.

The city's proposed $23 million bond referendum for November contains $1.5 million for classroom computers and other instructional technology such as cable and satellite transmission.

The funds would help lay the foundation for a much larger $7.5 million program over the next five years.

Superintendent Wayne Harris has set a goal of one classroom computer for every five students. In some schools, the ratio is now 25 or 30 students for each computer.

Harris hopes the technology plan can be financed by a combination of bond funds, grants, donations from businesses and expended funds at the end of each fiscal year.

At a joint meeting of the School Board and City Council, school officials cited the need for the technology funds.

John Saunders, a new board member, is heading a campaign by the chambers of commerce in the Roanoke Valley to persuade businesses to donate idle and old computers to schools.

On a short-term basis, school officials said, businesses can get a tax deduction. In the long term, they get a work force with improved computer literacy.

The technology money isn't the largest item for schools. The bond issue also contains $5.2 million for renovation of Jackson Middle School.

There also is $300,000 included for replacing outdated cooling systems and upgrading fire alarm systems in older schools.

by CNB