ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, February 17, 1996 TAG: 9602190043
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
Craig County School Superintendent Dallas Helems said Friday he was encouraged by the strong community support that prompted the School Board to withdraw its request for his resignation.
"I think this shows that a lot of people were satisfied with me and the accomplishments of the school division," Helems said the day after the board's reversal.
By a 3-2 vote last week, the board asked Helems to quit because of his handling of a January fuel leak at Craig County High School and McCleary Elementary.
But it rescinded that action on a 3-2 vote Thursday night after dozens of parents and community leaders attended a meeting to voice support for Helems. Many parents told the board that they have confidence in Helems and believe he is an outstanding superintendent.
Board member Bonnie Hutchison, who voted with the majority last week, changed her position. She could not be reached for comment Friday.
Chairman James Cady and Vice Chairman Thomas Zimmerman, who opposed the resignation request last week, joined with Hutchison to rescind the board's earlier vote. But board members Hettie Farley and Patrick Myers opposed the decision to withdraw the request.
"I hope this resolves the issue and that this new board can unite and go forward with the task of educating the children in our county," Cady said Friday.
Helems said he hopes to finish the remaining 18 months of his contract, but he wouldn't speculate on whether he will remain after that.
"I plan to continue my responsibilities, but I don't know what the future holds," he said.
In January, hundreds of gallons of fuel oil leaked into the ground at the two schools after a break in an underground pipe between a storage tank and the furnace.
Helems said school officials were unaware that the oil had seeped into the ground until heavy rains forced it to the surface.
Some parents said their children had complained about fumes for several days before school officials acknowledged the leak and called in an environmental cleanup company.
Students were sent home Jan. 23 because some had burning eyes, headaches and nausea from the fumes. They returned the next day after state health officials said the leak posed no danger.
Environmental consultants said there was no risk of an explosion. The cleanup company continues to mop up oil from a drainage area near the schools.
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