Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 24, 1993 TAG: 9310220138
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-7 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ROBERT FREIS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Now, school boards in all three counties are appointed by the county's boards of supervisors.
In Giles, the referendum was placed on the ballot after a successful petition drive by the county's Christian Coalition.
Wayne Brackenrich, a Rich Creek physician who is chairman of the coalition, said the group favors elected school boards to increase accountability.
"We're not trying to take over the School Board," he said. "This is not a reflection on the character of our current School Board members."
Some coalition members didn't like the state's since-abandoned notion to introduce outcome-based education as part of a new instructional philosophy, he said.
A secondary concern among supporters of elected school boards is the unresolved issue of school consolidation, particularly involving Narrows High School, Brackenrich said. "For some people that's still a hot topic in this county."
In Floyd, Gene Bishop, organizer of that county's successful petition drive, said he supports elected school boards because changing the system is "an opportunity to improve government."
"It makes the school board members more responsible to the public," said Bishop, a mail carrier who lives in Indian Valley.
"Our kids, our schools and our taxes" has become a slogan of sorts for the pro-elected school board advocates of Floyd County.
"I see it as a way to give the power back to each locality," he said. "So much of the policy decisions that affect schools come from Richmond. Schools belong to the people."
Bishop also said his interest in electing school boards isn't an expression of dissatisfaction with any current board member.
"Anytime you have an election, you have new ideas and new interest. It helps the system all the way around."
by CNB