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

DATE: FRIDAY, March 16, 1990                   TAG: 9003162843
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: PEARISBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

SEVERAL W.VA. PUPILS SEEK TO ENROLL IN VA./ GILES TO ACCEPT APPLICANTS;

The weeklong walkout by teachers has prompted some West Virginia parents to seek classroom space for their children in Virginia's border counties, even though tuition most likely would be required.

The Giles County School Board decided Wednesday to accept applications from West Virginia pupils.

The board authorized Robert McCracken, division superintendent, to admit the West Virginia pupils to Giles County schools - but only if the pupils commit to staying for the rest of the school year and pay in advance a non-refundable tuition of $100 per month.

The Associated Press reported Thursday that public school classes in West Virginia were canceled through today for a "cooling off period." Striking teachers Wednesday rejected the governor's latest proposal to end a weeklong walkout.

McCracken said he had received five applications from four families this week and had seven other inquiries. McCracken did not pinpoint where the applicants came from or what grades the children were in, but did say the applicants included pupils interested in attending Rich Creek Elementary, Narrows Elementary and Narrows High schools.

The county will admit the out-of-state pupils as long as room is available without infringing on space needed for Giles County students.

McCracken said Giles County would not gain additional state aid for the tuition-paying pupils. Taking the additional pupils, he said, is "simply a convenience since there is class space available." And while $100 a month for each student is not a lot of money, "it's a hundred dollars we didn't have."

Tazewell County also has received inquiries from West Virginia pupils. But Superintendent Frank Cosby said the board has decided not to take any pupils during this school year.

"Our position now is not to take them. If they're still interested next year, we'll consider that," Cosby said.

Tazewell County has received "a substantial number" of requests to enroll "since their problems started last week," he said. The School Board's decision not to take West Virginia pupils at this time is because of the confusion over how long the strike will last.

William H. Baker, school superintendent in Mercer County, W.Va., said Thursday morning that he had heard rumors that West Virginia pupils were applying to Giles and Tazewell county schools.