Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 9, 1994 TAG: 9410100069
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
And most believe that an elected School Board will be more aggressive in pressing the Board of Supervisors for more school funds.
The difference comes in how the School Board candidates would push for the money.
Some advocate a vigorous, high-profile approach that might produce a confrontation with supervisors. Others would be less outspoken, especially during early discussions of finances.
The new School Board members won't have the power of taxation. But they will have political clout because they will be elected by the same voters as the supervisors.
"I think that the elected School Board members are going to be more vocal and they will stand up for what they think is needed," said Robert Rouse, a candidate in the Vinton district. "I hope that it doesn't become a hostile situation, but I think you are going to see a different relationship between the School Board and Board of Supervisors."
Lisa Merrill, a candidate in Windsor Hills, predicts that an elected board will be more accessible and responsive to parents and voters.
School Board members will be elected in the Vinton and Windsor Hills districts. There also will be an election in the Hollins district, where incumbent Jerry Canada has no opposition.
Incumbents Frank Thomas of Catawba and Maurice "Buck" Mitchell of Cave Spring won't be up for election until next November.
Tom Leggette, a candidate in the Windsor Hills district, said he will be aggressive in seeking more school funds.
"I believe that the School Board should be out front and become an advocate for funds," Leggette said. "We are competing for limited resources, and we must try to get what we can."
Michael Stovall, a candidate in the Vinton district, said an elected board can work with the supervisors as long as both groups agree that the children are the most important issue.
Stovall said elected school boards ultimately should have the power of taxation so they can avoid confrontations with supervisors over money. But he doesn't expect that will happen soon.
Stovall, who has the backing of the Roanoke County Education Association, said the county should share tax revenues with the schools on a 50-50 basis.
"The supervisors need to give the schools more money. We are receiving a smaller percentage of the total county budget than we were a few years ago," said Evelyn Ball, a candidate in the Vinton district. "The supervisors have got to recognize that we need more funds. Under the new system, we will be closer to the people, and I hope we can have more impact."
Wayne Newman, a candidate in Windsor Hills, said he doesn't blame the current School Board for failing to get more money from supervisors. Its appointed members have no way of putting pressure on the supervisors for more school funds.
Newman said the school system needs to pay higher salaries to attract and retain the best teachers.
He believes that "more voices" will be heard on the elected board and there could be conflict with supervisors.
And, he said, "Down the road, elected school boards in the state will need the power of taxation so they can raise the funds they need."
Leggette, who has the backing of the RCEA, also said the schools need more money to help attract and keep quality teachers. He said the county's salaries are falling behind the national average.
Richard Cullinan, a Windsor Hills candidate, agreed that county schools are not properly funded.
"I've seen this school division function on a bare-bones budget for too long," said Cullinan, a School Board member in the 1980s. "There has never been enough for maintenance."
But Cullinan said funding and other school issues should not become entwined with politics as the county switches to an elected board.
Cullinan said School Board members shouldn't take a position on an issue until the administrative process is complete and the issue has reached the board. "Board members should hear both sides before they take a position," he said.
But others, particularly Leggette, Merrill and Rouse, believe the School Board should take a leadership role on important issues and not wait until school administrators make recommendations.
Rouse believes that the board, for instance, should develop a five-year plan for increasing teachers' salaries. "The teachers need someone who will stand up for them," he said.
Merrill said the school administration and present School Board have shown a lack of foresight and vision in dealing with space needs in Southwest Roanoke County schools.
"Five of six schools in Southwest County are using temporary, modular classrooms," she said. "We have a policy of shifting kids from school to school, wherever we can find space."
Most candidates agree on one big financial issue - a proposed new Cave Spring High School, which is estimated to cost $20 million.
Newman said supervisors should have put the new high school proposal to a vote next month.
"I am disappointed that there won't be a referendum this year," Newman said. He believes that Supervisors Chairman Lee Eddy, who opposed a referendum, is using outdated enrollment projections.
Instead of a referendum, the supervisors decided to sell $1.5 million in bonds to pay for architectural and engineering costs of the new school. No date has been set for a referendum on a bond issue for the school.
Although she lives across the county from the Cave Spring area, Ball said the new high school is needed. Ball said a new elementary school also will be needed in Bonsack in the next few years.
The debate over the new high school has focused attention on all school needs in the county, she said.
Like Ball, Stovall would have supported a referendum on a new Cave Spring High School and other school needs.
Money won't solve all of the problems, Rouse said, but he won't hesitate to seek more funds if he believes the schools need them.
by CNB