ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, February 29, 1996 TAG: 9602290090
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
Soon, Roanoke County residents may find it more convenient to attend some School Board meetings.
Not all of the meetings will be at the school system's Administrative Offices Building on Cove Road Northwest.
The change to an elected board has prompted the members to plan some meetings at schools. The board plans to meet at least once a year in each of the county's four high schools - Cave Spring, Glenvar, Northside and William Byrd.
The first meeting at a high school will be at William Byrd on March 14. The board will have a budget work session at 5 p.m. before the regular meeting at 7.
"We want to get out into our schools and have citizens see our schools when they come to a board meeting," said Chairman Jerry Canada, the Hollins District member.
Canada said this will make some meetings more accessible to people who do not live in North County. Residents in Vinton, Glenvar and Southwest County won't have to drive across the Roanoke Valley for all meetings, he said.
Board members said they want to open up the process and make it easier for residents to participate.
The board will continue to hold some meetings at the administrative offices on Cove Road.
For years, the board met in Salem, but the school system's offices were moved to the former Roanoke County Occupational School a year ago. The move made it a longer drive for Southwest County and Glenvar residents.
The Roanoke School Board holds some meetings at schools throughout the city. The board highlights the curriculum and programs of schools it visits, and the principals and students make presentations.
Roanoke City Council held meetings in neighborhoods for several years, but it has discontinued the practice in recent years.
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