Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, May 11, 1990                   TAG: 9005110513
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: PATRICIA LOPEZ BADEN EDUCATION WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

COUNTY SCHOOL OFFICIAL TED VIARS TO RETIRE

"There comes a time when everyone thinks about whether they should move on," said Viars, 57, "and for me, that time has come."

Superintendent Bayes Wilson, in telling the School Board of Viars' decision, said his deputy had left "a legacy of instructional excellence."

Viars started in Roanoke County schools in 1964 as principal of Glenvar High School. He also served as a general supervisor and director of instruction.

By 1980, Viars had risen to associate superintendent and in 1988 was made deputy superintendent.

In other business, the General Electric Elfun Society donated $21,000 to county schools Thursday night for a self-esteem program for emotionally disturbed youngsters.

The children, who are enrolled in special education behavioral-adjustment classes, will be taught how to respect themselves and others and how to develop a positive, cooperative attitude, said Eddie Kolb, director of special education.

"Once these kids get out in the world," he said, "we find that the same thing that caused them to fail in school causes them to fail on the job - attitude. Even when they have the work skills, they don't have the right attitude, they don't have the ability to relate to their peers, do what they're told, get along with others."

Kolb said the donation will allow them to offer a human-relations course that the students can take for credit as an elective.

If it's successful, he said, "we've already got principals asking if we can expand it to our other children, because so many of them need this kind of help."