ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, July 20, 1996 TAG: 9607220050
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
Harry Davis, a financial adviser, and Joseph Nash, a losing candidate in the recent Roanoke City Council election, have applied for the vacancy on the city School Board.
Davis and Nash are seeking the seat that was vacated when Nelson Harris was elected to council. Harris had been on the board for four years and was chairman for the past two years. There were two years remaining in his term.
Friday was the deadline for applicants for the vacancy. City Council will hold a public hearing on the applicants Aug.5 at 2 p.m. and will make the appointment Aug.19.
This is the first time that Davis and Nash have applied for the board.
A graduate of the University of Richmond, Davis is vice president of investments at Dean Witter Reynolds' office in the Roanoke Valley and a former public accountant with the accounting firm of Coopers and Lybrand.
In his application, Davis said his 12 years of experience as a financial adviser and his eight years in computer data processing would be helpful in planning and budgeting for city schools.
He said he thinks schools should work aggressively to reduce the dropout rate, teen-age pregnancy and drug abuse, as well as make physical fitness and wellness programs a priority.
He also said he believes that teachers should be paid adequately and that more parental involvement is needed in schools.
Davis has been active in several community organizations, including Literacy Volunteers of America, American Heart Association and the Carilion Hospice Program.
Nash, a truck fleet supervisor for Adams Construction Co., has been chairman of the Wasena Neighborhood Crime Watch Association for three years and is a member of the Roanoke Neighborhood Partnership Steering Committee.
Nash said he believes his experience as a parent and hiring supervisor would be helpful as a board member.
"I understand the importance of a good solid education," he wrote in his application. "Without a good education, it is impossible to fulfill dreams.
"Our parents need to be respected as professionals that they are, our administrators need to be supportive of our teachers and our parents need to be involved.''
Nash, who attended Virginia Western Community College, said schools must ensure that students keep pace with technology.
Nash was endorsed by the Roanoke Education Association, a teachers' organization, in his bid for council. He talked about the need for better schools in his campaign and said teacher pay should not only be brought up to the national average, but should exceed the national average.
The School Board has set a goal of meeting the national average within three years.
Most cities and counties in Western Virginia have switched to the election of school board members, but Roanoke and Salem have kept the appointed system.
Roanoke has a seven-member board with staggered terms.
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