ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, April 8, 1997 TAG: 9704080062
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER THE ROANOKE TIMES
The city will fill three vacancies on the seven-seat board. Members are paid $2,400 a year.
Chairwoman Marsha Ellison is among six finalists for three Roanoke School Board seats that City Council must fill by July 1.
Twelve people applied for the posts, but three have withdrawn. Council voted Monday to interview six of the remaining nine applicants.
Ellison is a Hollins College graduate and former Parent-Teacher Association leader. She has headed the board since last July and is seeking her second term.
The other finalists are:
Sherrie Boone, a piano technician and member of the Central PTA Council. A graduate of Mary Washington College, Boone has served on school committees and been active in youth athletics. She said she has developed a good working relationship with students, parents, teachers and school administrators.
Webster Day, a lawyer who has been a member of the Fishburn Park Elementary School's site-based council and a study committee for the PLATO program in elementary schools. A graduate of the University of Virginia law school, Day said his law practice in business and financial matters would be helpful on the board.
Joann Hamidullah, a youth specialist with Blue Ridge Community Services. She is immediate past president of the Central PTA Council. A graduate of Burrell Memorial Hospital's nursing program, Hamidullah said her experience as a parent and PTA leader would be beneficial on the board.
Sherman Lea, regional administrator for the Virginia Department of Corrections. Lea has been active in athletic and band booster clubs at William Fleming High School. A graduate of Virginia Union University, Lea said education begins in the home, where values and a sense of responsibility have to be developed.
Michael Ramsey, an agent and registered representative for the Principal Financial Group. He is a former public information officer for city schools who has served on several school committees. A graduate of West Virginia University, he said basic skills are important but schools must keep pace with developing technologies.
Under the city's selection procedure, council can interview up to three applicants for each seat but fewer if it wishes.
Three applicants were not selected for interviews: Elizabeth Burford, a retired city teacher and part-time real estate sales agent; David Ostroff, a teacher and coach at North Cross private school; and Lisa Updike, a childbirth and lactation educator.
The candidates who withdrew earlier were: Jeff Artis, a former city teacher and City Council candidate; Brett Harwell, a Marine Corps captain; and Michael Myers, a Floyd County elementary school principal.
The board will get at least two new members because Vice Chairman John Saunders is not seeking a new term and Marilyn Curtis is ineligible for reappointment because she has served three terms.
Roanoke has a seven-member board with staggered terms. The members are paid $2,400 a year.
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.
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