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it would cost at least $700 just to get the tank checked to see if it is now leaking. Mrs. Massie said that as far as she knew the tank had been buried since the school was first built, more than 20 years ago.
“This is an unknown quantity,” Mr. Gilkey said.
“There are only two places in the United States that are receiving contaminated soil; one’s in North Carolina,” Piedmont District representative Charles K. “Pete” Estes said. “It might be wise to budget for several years to put it in a vault.”
Mrs. Massie commented, “It would be so nice to come to this board and just talk about money for educational purposes. We’ve been caught up by insurance, asbestos, roofs, and now this.”
“You have a lot to be proud of, Madam Chairman,” Mr. Estes said. “I’ve seen a tremendous improvement over the last six or seven years.”
“I’d like to talk about instruction,” Dr. Gangel said. “Last year we boosted math scores; this year we’ve targeted reading. We’ve had a tremendous partnership with Potomac Edison, and we have innovative programs, particularly at the elementary school in the use of computers. We’re exploring offering a master’s degree program for teachers in cooperation with Shenandoah College. We have a highly motivated staff, and we’re looking to improve morale in other areas, transportation and custodial services.”
“Industry has helped us with a quarter of a million dollars worth of computer equipment,” Mrs. Massie said. “The schools will have to look more and more to industry. They’re looking for ways to make the tax situation better for their companies. Right after the environment, education should be out there with their hands held high.”
The supervisors wanted to know what Dr. Gangel thought about the decision by the Highland County Board of Supervisors to sue the state in a disagreement over the state funding formula, which was developed by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee.
Dr. Gangel said he and Mr. Chappell had attended a meeting on the subject. “They maintain that the new JLARC formula has increased the disparity between schools,” he
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