Roanoke Rapids schools

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I didn't know the city school system was still using trailers as classrooms for the kids. http://www.rrdailyherald.com/articles/2007/07/18/news/news.txt

Nighthawk

Hell yea, Manning has had mobile trailers since I was there in the mid 80s, and now they are going to have to add 1-2 more to cover current growth. If the county doesn't stick with the plan to build a replacement for Manning and gives it to Weldon instead, I would expect to see a lot more at Manning as Rivers Edge gets built and bought up.

Also Chaloner already has 10 mobile classes, and with burgeoning student populations, it needs to have a major expansion put on it to accomodate these kids in real classrooms. And yes, Belmont is already over capacity for classrooms. Last year they were having to hold classes in a closet to get enough space, so something needs to be looked at there as well.

doomster

When I was in school we had a science lab in one of the modular buildings or mobile units as some call them. I tell you the truth, I don't see anything wrong with them at all. It was designed as a class room unit, had plenty of room and the heat and A/C worked better in those units than the regular rooms. I think thats the only way to go if its what you can afford.......but I also think the school needs to be structured a little more differently, some of the schools in the county are using them for history, english and stuff that is a major course study.........I feel they should be used for more vocational study than a major class such as engish or math.

Check this quote out from the Herald.........

“I just don't see an end to the growth,” board member Mike Salanik said.

He also said the county needs to consider a bond referendum or find some other stream of revenue to keep children out of trailers and keep facilities up to date.

.........................................................................................................

Do I smell another tax increase?? LOL.... Smilie_PDT

One thing would be to simply verify the address and enforce the rules on the books with the kids going to city schools. I know several out there now that live in the county and their kids go to the city school, but they use their grand-parents address and fudge it in, they often tell major lies about where they live.....one I know that was even investigated and still slid through the deal, and she knew she was all but busted. Just because you have an apartment here with a physical address, you still have to live there so many days out of the week. I agree something needs to be done to help out, but you got to cover all bases and home before sticking your hand out for assistance.

Cap'n Slappy

Speaking of schools have they decided which school system will get the new school?

Nighthawk

That meeting was supposed to go down and have a final decision yesterday evening. Might be in the paper what was determined today.

Problems with mobile classrooms are that they don't hold up as well, maintenance on them is far higher, they are an eyesore, and they are far less safe than your classrooms in the school building. And unfortunately we have full classes of everything in mobile classes at RRGSD Doomster, not just a lab or PE or something.

THE CURE

If there is any kind of growth associated with Carolina Crossroads they are going to have to have more buildings, not more trailers.

THE CURE

It doesn't sound to me like Roanoke Rapids is going to get a new school. http://www.rrdailyherald.com/articles/2007/07/19/front/front.txt

Nighthawk

Hopefully DPI will point out which one is really structural and safety problems that need to be replaced. Of course if RRGSD gets it, then the other schools will probably throw the race card. Couldn't really do that with Vernon though, esp. since he went to Weldon High School.

I just think its pretty messed up that we get doubletaxed by the county and city and the county can't even spend any money on our schools. If Weldon gets it they will have two new schools from the county and Halifax County as well, while the only new school we have (Belmont) the school system had to foot the bill for. Also like the fact that Weldon High only serves about 250 kids while Manning serves almost 700 children. Totally have our priorities straight in this county.

Kim

Manning needs to get the next school as it has the most children to serve.....not to mention it was next in line, fair is fair. And since the race card was brought up, imagine had Weldon been next in line but Manning was chosen instead....would it not have been brought up then? it would have been the biggest stink ever.

slash

When was Weldon High School built?

Kestrel

I don't know about the number of children, but only 1/3 of the population of Halifax County lives in Roanoke Rapids, so one would expect that schools would be replaced more often in the county vs RR. I think Inborden in Enfield was the last one built. Eastman near Ringwood is pretty dated.

I'm surprised that Roanoke Rapids depends on the county to fund replacement of schools. After all, why then does Roanoke Rapids have such high taxes? It's doesn't cover water and sewer. All I can think of is outdoor lighting, schools, and police and fire coverage.

And I'm against bonds to pay for a recurring problem. It's like taking out a loan for gas. And what about the lottery money?

Cap'n Slappy

Why don't they combine Weldon High and Roanoke Rapids High and not worry about building a new Weldon High School?

Kestrel

LOL Cap'n!! We all know that's not going to happen.

Nighthawk

RRHS doesn't have the capacity for 250 more kids, plus the jail necessary.

Seriously its going to end up getting the same result, they are going to have to build more buildings at RRHS just to fit the swelling population of Roanoke Rapids. Developments like Rivers Edge are going to put pressure on all of the schools already, so I doubt that Weldon is going to want to let RRGSD take over, let alone many of them losing their jobs in upper admin positions.

Cap'n Slappy

Consolidation is coming, it's just a matter of time.

Kim

When that happens I will be a homeschoolin' momma Rolling Eyes

Nighthawk

If they do, I won't be here, because I will probably lose my job.

Kestrel

Been homeschooled...

Nighthawk

Talking to administration over there, they are not hopeful about the chances of getting a new school. Looks like we are going to have Trailer Park Elementary in the middle of the "ritzy" side of town. Ground is already being prepped for one new trailer, and another is set to follow soon. That will mean up to 8 trailers at Manning.

Perhaps the city schould look into getting a bond for a new elementary school. If they can blow 21 million on a theater for 1 guy, then I think they can afford to spend almost as much on a new school for 700+ of our youngest children.

THE CURE

Why can't they build a school in phases? I would like a new house but I added on a new bedroom because that's all I could afford right now.

Kestrel

Well, I could see where phases would be useful in an area where the population is growing, but it has been pretty stagnate in Halifax County and Roanoke Rapids.

I was discussing how many public schools there are in this county (including RR) with some folks, and the number seems to be about 20. If a school lasts 50 years, then you would expect a school to be replaced every 2-3 years. Since they are talking about replacing three schools, all three will probably be replaced within 10 years. But that argument wouldn't go over well with the folks who have to wait 10 years for their school.

Nighthawk

Cure the problem is that the old school building is not safe to use anymore. It can't be added onto anymore. They have done several additions to it over the years.

The current plan for the new school is to build it right over the playgrounds between the track and the current school, much like they built the new Math & Science building behind the junior building before tearing that down. That way they could continue to operate the school normally. The problem is, once you start that, you need to go on and finish it up so you can level the old building to complete the new construction and give the kids new playground area.

Sadly though the old building is expanded out to its maximum already. It would be exceedingly difficult trying to adapt safer indoor design school buildings with the current unsafe outdoor pod system at Manning. And believe me, I'm not a big person on leveling the current school, as I went to school there and have many fond memories. But I also see day in and day out the kind of tough decisions that are having to be made right now on where kids will be allocated in classrooms. Even though the growth here hasn't been large, yet, already Manning is up to 5 classrooms for each grade but 5th, which has 4, and next year that will change.