Rockingham schools seek funding for property purchase

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Published: May 24, 2009

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Rockingham County commissioners will consider a board of education request Tuesday afternoon to approve funding for the purchase of five parcels of property surrounding the Douglass Elementary School playground.

Rockingham County Schools asked the commissioners for $139,452 from the Public School Building Capital Fund (Lottery Distribution) to purchase property along Givens and Price streets that will be needed for future construction of a new Douglass school facility.

“Even though we are not at a point to begin the Phase III construction projects, we are trying to position ourselves to be ready when the economy improves,” said Bill Holcomb, RCS associate superintendent.

Tuesday’s request to the commissioners also includes a $9,585 reimbursement for engineering studies associated with the property, making a total of $149,037 from the Lottery Distribution funds.

Commissioners must approve the funding before RCS can submit an application from lottery proceeds.

In other business Tuesday, the commissioners will consider a request from Sheriff Sam Page to use $33,738 from federal forfeiture funds to purchase a new vehicle and emergency accessories.

According to Page’s request, recent decreases in revenues reduced the number of new vehicles the last few years and made the current fleet of vehicles more expensive to maintain.

“With the purchase of this replacement vehicle with non-taxpayer monies, it will allow the sheriff’s office the ability to take an older vehicle out of the fleet by passing down a newer vehicle,” Page told commissioners.

If you’re going

• Tuesday’s meeting of the board of commissioners will begin at 3:30 p.m. at the Governmental Center in Wentworth.