Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 30, 1994 TAG: 9408010036
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
He believes that county schools have been slighted in the past decade as other needs have taken priority.
``It is time for someone on your side to get angry,'' he told the School Board at a meeting this week with the Board of Supervisors to consider the schools' needs for the next 10 years.
Johnson, a former teacher, wants the School Board to be more assertive in presenting its building and equipment needs to the supervisors.
In the past decade, the county has spent $103 million for a new water supply, landfill, airport terminal, sewage treatment, industrial parks and a Police department.
During the same period, the School Board has spent $31.7 million on buildings and equipment. Of that, $13.4 million in general obligation bonds for schools were approved by the voters. The remaining $18.3 million were low-interest state literary loans and bonds approved by the Virginia Public School Authority.
Johnson said that County Administrator Elmer Hodge has gotten approval of nearly every project he has proposed since coming to the county in 1985. He said the county has approved more than half a dozen major projects.
``The squeaky wheel gets greased and [Hodge] has gotten his wheels greased,'' Johnson said. ``Maybe it is time for schools to squeak.''
School Board members said they appreciate Johnson's support for schools, but they have tried to be diplomatic in lobbying for more money.
``I can't see any point in stomping, screaming and shouting,'' said Jerry Canada, vice chairman of the board. ``I have been trying to mediate and get more for our needs. Our needs are not going away.''
``We have tried to be peaceful, but I think [Johnson] was trying to fire us up,'' said Barbara ``Bootie'' Chewning. ``We will fight for what is needed if they want it to be that way.''
Board member Maurice ``Buck'' Mitchell said he thought Johnson was trying to urge the School Board to push for a new Cave Spring High School.
The board has prepared a list of $50 million in necessary buildings and equipment. It also has another $38 million in projects, such as a new Cave Spring High School and a field house at Northside High School, that have been discussed.
Johnson said that he is trying to motivate School Board members to fight harder for their funding needs.
He said that Hodge even admits now that the schools have needs that should be addressed.
Hodge said the schools should acquire more instructional technology and that some schools need improvements.
Hodge's staff is working with school officials to determine the tax increase that would be required to have a bond issue of either $15 million or $30 million.
Canada said he is encouraged by Hodge's support for school improvements.
``He is a key person whose support we need,'' Canada said.
The Board of Supervisors will decide next month whether to have a referendum in November for school projects. The supervisors appear to be split on the issue.
The chances for a bond issue on a new Cave Spring High School this fall appear remote, especially if there is a $15 million referendum.
If the supervisors opted for a $30 million bond issue, however, Mitchell said he would seek inclusion of a new high school.
Canada said he believes a bond issue should include funds for a new gymnasium for Northside High School because the current gym is too small.
Now that the School Board knows the supervisors want financial projections for a bond issue of either $15 million or $30 million, Canada said the members can focus on the priority ranking of projects.
``We can now decide what we think should be included in a bond issue,'' Canada said.
But there is no assurance that the supervisors will have a referendum. If there is no referendum, Johnson said, the School Board's ranking of the projects will be for naught.
``I think he was trying to get us to go ahead and push for us a [new Cave Spring High School], said Maurice "Buck" Mitchell, a board member.
by CNB