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

DATE: FRIDAY, July 22, 1994                   TAG: 9407220108
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: By PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI                                 LENGTH: Medium

DRAPER ELEMENTARY GETS NEW PRINCIPAL

Thomas C. Dunlap III, who has 17 years of experience in education in York, S.C., came to Pulaski on Thursday to accept the position. But because of the illness of one member and work commitments of two others, the Pulaski County School Board did not have a quorum for its special meeting.

Only Sybil Atkinson and Lewis Pratt showed up, and at least three were needed to act.

Superintendent Bill Asbury said all five members had received videotapes of Dunlap's interview and were to let the staff know if any of them had any further questions before he was hired. Nobody has asked any.

Dunlap, 40, was the unanimous choice of the interview committee and was being recommended for the position by the staff, Asbury said. ``The official act will come in the next two weeks, thereabouts.''

Asbury said part of Dunlap's appeal was his strong background in technology.

Dunlap, a single parent, has already secured housing in the Draper District for himself and his three children, two daughters ages 14 and 11 and a 3-year-old son.

Until now, he has lived all his life in his native York, in the home where he grew up. He acquired and renovated it when his parents moved elsewhere. But he has commuted to jobs in other areas.

He has been assistant principal at an elementary school in Clover, S.C., since 1989.

Dunlap began his career as a fifth-grade teacher in Stanley, N.C., from 1977 until 1983 when he became assistant principal at the elementary school there. From 1987 to 1989, he was transportation coordinator for York School District No. 1.

He is a 1976 graduate in elementary education of Winthrop College at Rock Hill, S.C., where he also earned a master's degree in administration and supervision in 1984 and an advanced degree in 1990.

Dunlap is the county's second new principal for the coming school year. Roger Green was hired earlier this summer as principal at Pulaski Middle School, and has already assumed his duties there.

That leaves only two new administrative staff members to be hired, one in instruction and the other in pupils and personnel. Asbury said the board hopes to fill those positions by mid-August