THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 27, 1995 TAG: 9507250109
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: JON GLASS
LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
Turner remains chairman
School Board members last week unanimously re-elected Ulysses Turner chairman and Robert F. Williams vice chairman for second one-year terms.
Board member Anita Poston, who last year jockeyed for the board's leadership slot after former chairwoman Lucy Wilson left, nominated Turner, saying he had served effectively the past year.
In the past year, Turner said, student enrollment has increased by about 500, PTA membership rolls and parental involvement has risen, standardized test scores have improved and schools have become safer. During the year, he said, officials confiscated three guns, down from five the previous year and dramatically lower than the 25 guns found five years ago.
Money for cooler schools
Superintendent Roy D. Nichols Jr. said last week that enough cash was left over from the 1994-95 operating budget to make good on promises to air-condition three more schools.
Nichols said more than $1.5 million was saved through conservative employment practices, a reduction in electricity rates and a lower-cost custodial management contract. Rosemont Middle and Poplar Halls and Little Creek Elementary schools will be air conditioned.
Review contract on Granby awarded
The School Board awarded a $32,350 contract for Virginia Beach engineering consultant John W. Fowler to review architectural documents for the Granby High School construction project.
Administration officials said Fowler's oversight had saved money during the initial design of the approximately $23 million project. Fowler will review design development and the final construction documents by the project's architectural firm, Shriver and Holland Associates of Norfolk.
Another new principal
The School Board has approved Edward L. Johnson as the new principal this fall at Jacox Elementary. Johnson, who was assistant principal at Bay View Elementary, will replace retiring principal Leon S. Bonds.
New principals have been named for 12 schools.
School supplies sought
The city school system has joined a community service project to get school supplies into the hands of needy children from kindergarten through 12th grade. Working with the schools are WVEC-TV Channel 13, the NAACP and area Wal-Mart stores.
People who wish to donate basic school supplies may drop them off in designated bins at the Wal-Mart store on the corner of Military Highway and Lowery Road through Aug. 20. by CNB