ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, March 11, 1997 TAG: 9703110098
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER THE ROANOKE TIMES
Roanoke City Council plans a public interview session for the School Board applicants April 24.
A flurry of applicants in the final hours before Monday's deadline has produced one of the largest fields of candidates ever for three seats on the Roanoke School Board.
Twelve people applied for the seats with terms that begin July 1.
The applicants include a retired city teacher, Floyd County elementary school principal, North Cross School history teacher, lawyer and regional administrator for the Virginia Department of Corrections.
Chairwoman Marsha Ellison, whose term ends June 30, has applied for reappointment. But Vice Chairman John Saunders is not seeking another term and Marilyn Curtis is ineligible for reappointment.
The latest applicants are:
Sherrie Boone, a Parent-Teacher Association leader and piano technician. She has served on the Central PTA Council and several other school committees in recent years. A graduate of Mary Washington College, Boone said her school-related activities and work in youth athletics have helped her develop a good working relationship with students, parents, teachers and school administrators.
Elizabeth Burford, a retired English teacher for the city who is now a part-time real estate sales agent. Burford, a graduate of Virginia Union University, said she has a knowledge of the school system and is committed to regular visits to city schools.
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, he said his law practice in business and financial matters would be helpful on the School Board.
Joann Hamidullah, a youth specialist with Blue Ridge Community Services. She is a member and 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.
Brett Harwell, a Marine Corps captain with a background in computer systems engineering. He is selection officer for the Marine Corps in Southwest Virginia and southern West Virginia. A graduate of the Central New England College of Technology, Harwell said education should be rooted in basic knowledge and values, yet designed to help the student contribute to the world.
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 Myers, a Floyd County elementary school principal who lives in Roanoke. Myers said he has two children in city schools and wants to work to improve them. A graduate of Radford University, he said all students can be successful if educators, parents and community residents are committed to making it a reality.
David Ostroff, a middle school history teacher and coach at North Cross, a private school in Roanoke County. Ostroff said he could contribute to the board because schools and education are his profession. A graduate of Dartmouth College and candidate for a master's degree at the University of Virginia, Ostroff said schools should offer positive solutions rather than blaming their problems on the breakdown of families.
Michael Ramsey, an agent and registered representative for the Principal Financial Group. He is a former public information officer for city schools who also has served on several school committees. Ramsey is a graduate of West Virginia University and has worked for the Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau. He said basic skills are important, although schools must keep pace with developing technologies.
Earlier applicants included Jeff Artis, a former city teacher and City Council candidate who is starting his own publishing company.
Lisa Updike, a childbirth and lactation educator, also is seeking one of the seats. She is a former teacher in Botetourt County.
Ellison, a former PTA leader, is seeking her second term. She has been chairwoman since last July.
Under the selection procedure, council advertises pending vacancies, invites applications and publicly interviews up to three applicants for each seat.
On April 7, council will select the applicants for public interviews. It will conduct a public hearing April 21 to give city residents an opportunity to express their views on the applicants who are chosen for interviews.
The public interviews will be April 24, and council will make the appointments May 5.
The board has staggered terms with three seats up for election this year.
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