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

DATE: SUNDAY, October 10, 1993                   TAG: 9310080019
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

SCHOOL BOARDS LOSE DIVERSITY IN ELECTIONS

It is important to vote "no" on the School Board referendum in Montgomery County on Nov. 2. How we select our School Board does make a difference.

Information provided at the Sept. 30 forum on school boards revealed how diverse and representative the school boards in the commonwealth have become over the past 40 years.

Inclusive representation on school boards does not occur when these boards are elected in the other 49 states. More blacks and minorities serve on school boards in Virginia compared to school boards nationwide. For blacks, the numbers are significant - 18 percent in Virginia, 2 percent nationwide. I value this diverse representation as it brings equality to the concerns of all students and a greater sense of community to our schools.

Three other reminders from the same forum help me understand the value of School Board appointments through our elected Board of Supervisors.

1) Leaders most able to serve our children may not be willing or capable campaigners.

2) Appointments made by the supervisors require a majority vote, hence these appointments are responsive to goals of the electorate.

3) The two boards - School Board and supervisors - must work together.

Our common agenda, to provide effective education for our children, is well served by an elected Board of Supervisors with the authority to appoint qualified persons to the School Board. Let us affirm the strengths of this democratic process by voting "no" on the School Board referendum on Election Day.\ John Hess\ Christiansburg

by CNB