Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 17, 1995 TAG: 9505170057
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-10 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Short
Ron Chaffin, who has been on the board for 10 years, says he offers leadership and experience. Barbara Chrisley, the challenger, says her administrative experience at Radford University, where she is Health Services Department chairwoman, would benefit the board.
Both are graduates of Pulaski High School. Chaffin, board chairman for the last three years, is chairman of the Industrial Technologies Division at New River Community College.
"I'm concerned with continuity," he said. "Our test scores are the highest they've ever been. Our dropout rate has been cut in half ... and we are trying to lower our student/teacher ratio throughout the division."
Chaffin taught for six years in Franklin County and Lynchburg public schools before moving into higher education.
Chrisley also teaches nutrition courses at Radford. She said she has found students unprepared for college work and suggests that schools need to get back to basics.
Chaffin earned both a bachelor's and a master's degree in vocational technical education from Virginia Tech, where he has also done post-graduate work. Chrisley is a graduate of New River Community College, and earned her bachelor's degree and doctorate in human nutrition from Virginia Tech.
by CNB