Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 12, 1995 TAG: 9504130021
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MELISSA DeVAUGHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Sherman pulled his name out of the running after he was named Faculty Senate president at Tech, saying he couldn't do justice to both jobs.
But School Board Chairman Roy Vickers will not be unopposed for the 18-month term that begins July 1.
Jim Klagge, a philosophy professor at Virginia Tech, also applied for the town of Blacksburg seat, narrowly making the Monday application deadline.
Becky Raines, the District C board member who is seeking reappointment, also will be challenged by a new applicant, Elliston resident Mary Beth Dunkenburger.
Dunkenburger said she had been thinking about running for the seat when it is up for election in November 1997, but when she learned that the seat was up for appointment one more time, she decided to apply now.
"I think it would be good experience for me in the meantime," Dunkenburger said, adding that she does plan to run for the District C seat when it becomes an elected position.
"If I'm going to make a commitment to it for two years, it's only fair to the community to use that experience to carry out another four-year term," she said.
Dunkenburger is married with two young sons.
Klagge had originally planned to run in the county's first School Board elections this fall against District F board member Dick Edwards of Blacksburg. But Klagge said he thought it was important that Vickers not run unopposed. When Sherman withdrew his application, Klagge decided to apply for the town seat.
"I'm assuming I have a reasonable shot at the appointment," Klagge said Monday. But if he doesn't get the position, Klagge said he may still run against Edwards in the fall. Election candidates don't need to make a final decision until June 13.
Klagge has two children in Blacksburg schools.
Sherman did not rule out running for a seat on the board in the future.
"I didn't withdraw out of a lack of interest ..." he said. "I look forward to being able to [be involved] in the future."
The District C and Blacksburg seats are the last to be reappointed before the School Board becomes a fully elected one in January 1998. At that time, the Blacksburg and Christiansburg town seats will be abolished, leaving a seven-district School Board instead of the current nine-member board. The move will bring the election districts in line with the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors.
by CNB