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

DATE: THURSDAY, September 30, 1993                   TAG: 9309300073
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

RADFORD MOVE LEAVES ISSUES STILL TO RESOLVE

Region IV principals and athletic directors will meet in Bluefield to discuss the future of the New River District, which was left with three members after Radford decided at a school board meeting Tuesday to seek membership in the Mountain Empire District.

With Radford moving to Region C, Region IV will be left with 12 teams beginning in 1994, compared with 14 in Region I, 25 in Region II and 27 in Region III.

Christiansburg principal George Porterfield, chairman of Region IV and vice president of the New River District, said there are several options. "A three-team [New River] District is one consideration that will be on the table," he said.

Another option would be for Region IV to form two six-school districts. Either way, eight of the 12 teams in the region will qualify for the football playoffs in 1994 and 1995.

"There are several options that will be discussed. Whatever comes out will be in the best interest of the kids we're serving and the region," Porterfield said.

Today is the final day that districts and regions may be realigned for next season under Virginia High School League handbook guidelines. However, Earl Gillespie, the VHSL's executive director, said an extension could be granted.

"It's never come up and if they're meeting, they're trying [to come to a decision] by the intent of the rule," Gillespie said. "We'd review it [an extension] if they [Region IV] couldn't come up with an immediate solution."

Coincidentally, Radford principal Buddy Martin is president of the New River District.

"Obviously, the New River District has some tough decisions, but it involves all Region IV," Martin said. "Radford has made contact with the Mountain Empire District to join that league."

The Mountain Empire District is meeting in Wytheville and there is a possibility that Region C schools might be asked to reconsider letting that league split into two districts since Radford has decided to apply for membership. Region C turned down a proposal to split the Mountain Empire on Tuesday.

If there is to be another vote, some of the Mountain Empire teams that opposed a split must change their decision. That is unlikely to happen at today's meeting.