ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, February 15, 1996 TAG: 9602150074
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
Roanoke County's economic future could be jeopardized if voters reject a $37.4 million bond issue for a new Cave Spring High School and other school projects, leaders of the county teachers' organization said Wednesday.
"A vote against this bond referendum would certainly send the wrong message to businesses outside of our area," said Judy Deyerle, president of the Roanoke County Education Association.
Corporations consider the quality of schools and voters' commitment to education in making a decision to locate plants and offices in a community, Deyerle said.
The issue's defeat could have a ripple effect on the county's economy, said Kitty Boitnott, chairman of the teachers' political action committee. Voters who don't have children in schools should consider the referendum's economic impact as well as school needs, she said.
Teachers said they will campaign for the bond issue because they consider it crucial to the county's economic and educational future.
They will support the county School Board and newly formed Citizens for Education in what is expected to be a high-profile campaign to win approval of the bonds in the April 2 referendum.
The County Parent-Teacher Association Council also has endorsed the bond issue.Deyerle said voters demonstrated their concern for schools in last November's election by voting for candidates who supported public education.
"The time has now come for Roanoke County citizens to actively demonstrate their support [of education] by providing the necessary financial resources," she said.
Deyerle said bond opponents are using red herrings to confuse voters.
Some say they're anti-taxes, not anti-education, she said.
"The trouble with that argument is that this is an education bond referendum" because all the money will be used for schools, she said.
Don Terp, a business consultant and leader in the county's 1990 anti-consolidation movement, opposes the bond issue, saying a new Cave Spring High School isn't needed.
Terp has complained about rising real estate assessments and the possibility that the real estate tax rate might be raised by 2 cents to repay the bonds.
The Board of Supervisors said a 2-cent increase in the tax rate is the maximum that would be required.
Deyerle said other opponents say they are not happy with the decision to build one new high school rather than two smaller ones. Others are concerned about the site because part of it is in a flood plain, she said.
But consultants said the site is suitable, and one large school is preferable to and cheaper than two smaller ones, she said.
Some parents who preferred two smaller schools are supporting the bond issue, said Barbara Creasy, president of the Hidden Valley Junior High School PTA.
Creasy said she had favored two schools, but now takes the position of the majority of Southwest County residents who support one school.
She said some opponents are misinformed about the school's site and mistakenly believe that the existing high school could be expanded to meet educational needs.
Although the bulk of the bond issue - $33.6 million - is earmarked for a new school, there are funds for schools in other areas of the county.
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