SCHOOL BOARD OPTION FAVORED

Roanoke Times Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 1, 1992 TAG: 9201010190 SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: HOLIDAY SOURCE: Associated Press DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium

SCHOOL BOARD OPTION FAVORED
A majority of Virginia lawmakers supports doing away with politically appointed school boards and allowing localities to elect board members, a survey of legislators found.
Fifty of the 66 Assembly members who replied to The Richmond News Leader's annual survey on legislative issues backed allowing elected school boards. Fifteen opposed the idea, and one was undecided.
Virginia is the only state in the nation that does not permit some form of school board elections.
Most school boards in the state are appointed by city councils or county boards of supervisors. In some localities school board members are appointed by a panel of electors appointed by the local circuit court judge.
Last year, the House of Delegates approved a bill that would have allowed a locality to elect its school board if voters approved.
The bill didn't make it out of committee in the Senate.
Several lawmakers responding to the newspaper's survey attached strings to their support.
Some said they would support elected school boards only if they had tax authority. Others said school boards should be elected but shouldn't have authority to impose taxes.
Most legislators said permitting elected school boards should be up to localities.
One opponent of popularly elected school boards, Sen. Elliot Schewel, D-Lynchburg, believes the proposal will get through the 1992 Assembly.
"In Winchester and Frederick County, we are blessed with terrific school boards," wrote Sen.-elect Russell Potts, R-Winchester. "Members of those school boards would not serve in such a difficult and public responsibility if they had to run for office."
Sen. Robert Russell, R-Chesterfield, said elected school boards would mean more responsive administrators.
But Sen. Frank Nolen, D-Augusta, said electing school boards is "another idea that won't improve education."

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB