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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 4, 1990                   TAG: 9004040611
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

CITY GETS MAJORITY VOTE ON THE SCHOOLS

DICK Robers is correct in that Roanoke County should have equal representation on the school board of the proposed Roanoke Metropolitan Government. During the workshop at Cave Spring High, we voted this very issue as one of our top concerns.

However, the negotiators did nothing to rectify this. I thought the purpose of the workshops was to improve the plan through citizen input.

Howard Musser said he offered to have two at-large members in addition to the proposed nine-member school board. Basing the school board on elected representatives at large is not acceptable. The current county should have the same number as the current city. If anything, the county should have the majority, since its school system has more children.

County residents realize the current plan gives the city a majority vote on all school issues, such as future attendance lines and the choosing of a superintendent. This is not merger, it is a takeover. J.L. ANDERSON ROANOKE

Editor's note: Since this letter was written, the city has agreed to expand a consolidated school board, giving majority control to the county.

by CNB