ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, January 12, 1996 TAG: 9601120043
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
If snow causes Roanoke County schools to be closed several days next week, first-semester exams might be canceled.
Because the schools have missed so many days, some teachers say it would be better for students to spend the time learning new material instead of reviewing and taking exams.
The county School Board voted Thursday to authorize Superintendent Deanna Gordon to call off exams if she believes that to be best for the schools' academic program.
County exams are scheduled to begin Tuesday. If schools reopen Monday, exams probably will be delayed a week, Gordon said. But if bad weather persists, she said, one option is to call off exams.
Gordon told the board she will confer with principals and departmental leaders before deciding whether to cancel exams.
Judy Deyerle, president of the Roanoke County Education Association, said she has talked with several teachers at the high schools and middle schools about dropping exams this semester.
"They feel that the value to be gained from the additional instructional time would outweigh the exams," Deyerle said. "I think teachers would be behind it."
Gordon said she hopes schools can reopen Monday and exams still can be held, but she wanted permission to call them off.
When schools reopen, Gordon said the county's high schools will appeal to students with cars to ride buses until the snow melts in the parking lots. Because piles of snow cover many parking spaces, she said, there won't be room for some students to park.
LENGTH: Short : 38 linesby CNB