DATE: Friday, May 9, 1997                   TAG: 9705080343

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Education 

                                            LENGTH:   54 lines

EYES & EARS

VIRGINIA BEACH

Heart Smart. . .

Fifty parents picked up a new skill recently that just might save a life some day.

They took part in free CPR training sponsored by the city's Council of PTAs with the help of Virginia Beach General Hospital. The four-hour class was taught recently in the gym of Cox High School by registered nurses provided by the hospital.

The nurses ``were wonderful. They were great instructors,'' said Karen Paradee, juvenile protection chairwoman on the council.

Paradee, a nurse at Newtown Road Elementary School, came up with the idea of CPR training as a way to combat the top cause of death among children, accidents. But, she knew many parents are put off by the cost and the prospect of a long, intense class.

``I knew people needed these skills,'' Paradee said.

After contacting Terry McKenna, manager of clinical services at Beach General, the idea of a more relaxed class offered free of charge became a reality.

``Virginia Beach General values our community and feels invested in the lives of the parents of the children of our community,'' McKenna said.

The instructors involved were Ann Kay Walters, Ann Pokorski, Gail Losee, Kathy Webb, Lois Smith, Lori Holleman and Jonathon Baet.

The PTA council hopes the class will become an annual event, training 100 parents a year.

- Aleta Payne

Welcome to the hot seat. . .

Last month, the appointed members of the State Council of Higher Education voted 7-3 to dismiss the agency's director for 20 years, Gordon K. Davies.

After a closed session last week, the members decided to name Deputy Director J. Michael Mullen - an agency employee for more than 20 years - the interim director when Davies leaves in July.

Reflecting the tense times of late, the council's vice chairman, Norfolk lawyer John D. Padgett, turned to Mullen and said: ``Congratulations - or condolences.''

Moments after Mullen's appointment, four members, all supporters of Davies, announced their resignations. They complained of the majority's tendency to ``micromanage'' and to create an ``uncooperative and dictatorial atmosphere.''

Educators have said the agency might have a hard time attracting a strong replacement for Davies. But one of the remaining council members, Jeffrey Brown, a Circuit City executive from Richmond, is looking on the bright side. The recent drama, even the resignations, could be a plus for recruiting, he predicted: ``We have told everybody in the country (through media accounts) that we're an active board.''

- Philip Walzer

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