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

DATE: THURSDAY, February 21, 1991                   TAG: 9102210145
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-6   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: STEVE KARK CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: PEARISBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

ONE-YEAR GRANT TO PROVIDE RESOURCE OFFICE FOR PARENTS

The grant was announced and unanimously approved Tuesday night at the Giles County School Board meeting. Funded through the Virginia Department of Education, the money will pay for establishing a parent resource office at the King Johnston School.

Although the grant is good for only one year, Superintendent Robert McCracken said additional federal money may be available to continue the program.

The office will have two part-time personnel, a special educator and a parent. Additionally, each must complete a state approved training program.

In other matters, McCracken reported that a team from the county attended a business partnership training program in Richmond on Monday and Tuesday. The state program is designed to involve business leaders in the educational process.

McCracken said he hopes the team will develop a plan for the board for its approval at a later date.

McCracken also reported on a recent meeting he attended with the county administrator and local industry leaders. According to McCracken, the purpose of the meeting was "to begin a network which could improve the working relationship among each member."

McCracken told the board that one of the results of the meeting was "a better understanding of each other's business."

In the past, McCracken has expressed an interest in improving relations between leaders of industry and educators in the county in an effort to provide both local jobs for county graduates and trained workers for local industry.

McCracken said that another meeting to discuss short and long term goals will be held at the Vocational School Tuesday.