The Virginian-Pilot 
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, June 27, 1996               TAG: 9606270382
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B7   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS 
DATELINE: HAMPTON                           LENGTH:   43 lines

COUNCILMAN-ELECT IN HAMPTON DIDN'T GRADUATE, COLLEGE SAYS SCHOOL SYSTEM SAYS PAIGE WASHINGTON USED COPIER AT JOB FOR HIS CAMPAIGN.

The university from which incoming city Councilman Paige V. Washington claimed he earned a degree says he never graduated from the school.

And a Williamsburg-James City County school system document shows Washington used a copier at his job with the school system for his campaign.

A campaign mailing authorized by Washington states under the heading of education: ``Wichita State University - B.S. Degree Business Administration.''

A resume provided to the Daily Press of Newport News when he announced his candidacy also states: ``Wichita State University, 1967-1971, Business Administration, Bachelor of Science.''

But Washington has no degree from Wichita State, said a certification specialist in the registrar's office at the Kansas school.

``He didn't graduate; he has no degree,'' Glenn Gunnels said Wednesday.

Gunnels said records show Washington was enrolled at Wichita State for three full semesters, and withdrew on Oct. 28, 1971, without finishing his fourth semester.

Washington did not return telephone calls to his home and office Wednesday.

He is to be sworn in Monday for a four-year term on City Council.

Washington resigned last week from his post as manager of office services for the school system. School officials would not comment on whether the use of school system equipment for his campaign led to his resignation.

An invoice from the school system dated May 21 shows Washington was billed $186.53 by the system for ``Reimbursement to Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools for personal use of risograph for Hampton City Council campaigning.'' A Risograph is a type of copier.

A school finance employee said the bill was paid with a campaign check. No corresponding payment to the school district appears on Washington's campaign finance report through June 10.

Williamsburg-James City County Schools Superintendent Jim Kent would not comment on the circumstances regarding Washington's resignation. Kent said only that he wished Washington well.

Washington has worked for the school system for 10 years. His resignation is effective Aug. 1. by CNB