news-record.com

WENTWORTH — The Rockingham County Board of Commissioners could use funds generated from a proposed quarter-cent sales tax to help pay for educational projects.

On Tuesday night, the commissioners reviewed a list of building and renovation projects for the Rockingham County Schools and Rockingham Community College that could be funded if voters approve a quarter-cent sales tax that will be on the May ballot.

The county school system lists Douglass, Draper and Stoneville elementary schools, and Reidsville High School as its top four renovation and construction projects.

Top priorities for RCC include renovations to accommodate the county's fifth high school, the Early College, which will open in the fall.

"Our most pressing need, without question, is the early college accommodation," Robert Keys, RCC president, told the commissioners.

Commissioner Bobby Stanley said it's time to "step up to the plate and do the right thing here." Stanley said all the projects are in the best interest of the county.

A quarter-cent sales tax could generate $1.6 million a year, said Mike Apple, county finance director.

Apple and County Manager Tom Robinson said the money would not fund all the projects listed as priorities for the schools and the community college.

Although the county commissioners cannot advocate how people vote in regard to the tax, they do plan to produce a brochure educating residents — including how much it would raise and what it could fund — to help them in making their decision in May.

The commissioners will meet again today in a budget work session.

They will discuss options for balancing the county's 2008-09 budget.

Contact Jonnelle Davis at 627-4881, Ext. 126, or jonnelle.davis@news-record.com