Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 28, 1993                   TAG: 9307280242
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

SCHOOL-BOARD ELECTION VOTE PETITIONS DELIVERED

Lynn Linkous of Christiansburg, a petition-drive organizer, said she had obtained the names of enough registered voters to get the referendum on the fall ballot. The names have been certified by county Registrar Sandra Chapin, Linkous said.

Referendum supporters needed the names of 10 percent of the county's registered voters - or 2,929 - as of Jan. 1 to get the issue on the ballot. Linkous said she collected more than 3,400 names, but some were duplicates and others were not registered.

Linkous said organizers have not planned any publicity campaign to help get the measure passed this fall. "I think the people, once they see it, will vote for it," she said.

The petition drive was an outgrowth of debate on whether the county schools should return to traditional Christian names for school holidays that fall on Christmas and Easter. Those holidays are now called winter and spring break on the school calendar.

Linkous and her husband, Danny, and five other couples who support a return to the Christian names started the petitions because they believe they have no voice in the school system, she said.

Members of the School Board now are appointed by the Board of Supervisors.

Referendums for elected school boards will be allowed on ballots for the first time in November. Those referendums were approved by voters in all 33 counties and nine cities where they were held, including Pulaski, Craig and Bland counties.