SALEM SCHOOLS FINALIZE NURSING PROGRAM PLANS

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

DATE: THURSDAY, January 16, 1992                   TAG: 9201170497
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: W-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
SALEM SCHOOLS FINALIZE NURSING PROGRAM PLANS
The Salem School Board on Tuesday approved a program that offers adults and high school students an opportunity to work together in pursuing a practical-nursing education.
The two-year program will be introduced in the 1992-93 school year and will be offered to an estimated 30 adults and Salem High School seniors.
First year of instruction will be at Salem High School, then students will go either to Lewis-Gale Hospital or Lewis-Gale Clinic. Upon completion, students will be eligible to take the state exam for a practical-nursing license.
"This is a historic opportunity," Superintendent Wayne Tripp said. Participants "can carry this right on through to a job - a relatively good paying job."
Ron Wall, director of operations and vocational education for Salem schools, said Lewis-Gale approached Salem officials last year after the Roanoke school system phased out a similar program. Salem agreed to participate but suggested that Lewis-Gale help with the funding since it would be the ultimate benefactor, Wall said.
A funding goal - enough to cover the program's first year - was set at $70,000. Wall learned Tuesday that the goal has been met - $60,000 from the private sector and $10,000 from the city.
Lewis-Gale has made a long-term commitment to funding to ensure that the program will continue, he said.
After the program was approved by the Virginia State Nursing Board, a director was hired, and a curriculum was established.
Wall said about 36 people already have expressed interest in the program.
In other business, the board agreed to contract school custodial services with ServiceMaster, an international maintenance corporation with offices in Roanoke, for a six-month trial.
ServiceMaster will provide management supervison for school custodians, something the school system has been lacking, at a cost not to exceed $25,000, Assistant Superintendent Michael Bryant said.
Some maintenance employees were concerned that their jobs would be in jeopardy because ServiceMaster's bid - the only one the school system received - included a reduction in staff.
But Tripp said he's assured employees there would be no layoffs, and any reduction would come through attrition or retirements.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB