Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 11, 1992 TAG: 9203110290
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Twelve people have applied for the posts now held by Sallye Coleman and Thomas Orr. Coleman will not seek reappointment, but Orr has applied for a second three-year term.
Orr, 45, is vice president of the Roanoke and Botetourt Telephone Co. In his application for a new term, Orr said "education must strive to meet the needs of every child, from the severely learning disabled to the gifted, but not at the expense of the average student."
Tuesday was the deadline for applications.
City Council will fill the posts in May after it screens the applications and publicly interviews six finalists in April.
The latest applicants include a teacher, a former court clerk, a neighborhood leader, a PTA official and a volunteer in the schools. They are:
A. Dale Hendrick, an auditor and a former chief deputy clerk in the Roanoke Circuit Court clerk's office. Hendrick was acting clerk for five months last year after Patsy Testerman retired. Hendrick, 38, also has worked for the city as an auditor and for a national accounting firm.
A graduate of Roanoke College, Hendrick said his experience in accounting and auditing would be helpful on the School Board. In his application, Hendrick said the school system "must be creative in meeting the needs of every student, whether they be learning disabled, handicapped, potential dropouts, vocationally inclined, average or gifted."
H. Joel Kelly, a former computer operator and activist for handicapped people and causes who frequently attends City Council meetings. Kelly, 38, is a high school graduate who has worked for the U.S. Department of the Treasury. He serves on the Mayor's Committee for the Handicapped.
"Earlier prevention and prevention programs are essential for potential dropouts," Kelly said. "After learning the basics, students should have the option of continuing their education through the magnet programs or other programs geared to their talents and interests.
Larry L. Lilley III, a clinical specialist for Abbey Home Health Care and a former respiratory specialist at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Lilley, 25, is a graduate of the College of Health Sciences at Community Hospital of the Roanoke Valley.
"My philosophy is to get the most of the best information to the students so they can in return utilize it for their future," Lilley said. "Quality of education instead of quantity of education is the best resource for the city students."
Edward J. Lyons, a tutor at Virginia Western Community College who also has experience in teaching, writing and editing. He works with students with learning disabilities. Lyons, 29, has a bachelor's degree from the University of Florida and a master's degree from Florida State University.
"The most important aspect of education from a leadership perspective is instruction and all learners can and should learn what the instructor has to teach them," Lyons said in his application. "When a student does not master the curriculum . . . it is not the fault of the student but rather of the system."
Melinda J. Payne, recruiting and training manager for the Roanoke Times & World-News. Payne, 33, has a bachelor's degree from Hollins College. She was co-chairman of the city's Community Relations Task Force.
Payne said her work with the task force and the Literary Volunteers of the Roanoke Valley has made her aware of the challenges facing the schools.
"Education is a partnership and we all must take responsibility for it," she said in her application. "I think I can help."
Clubert "Don" Poff, field office manager for the Federal Aviation Administration's facilities maintenance at Roanoke Regional Airport. Poff, 47, is a graduate of Oklahoma State University.
"Education must begin at home, at an early age," Poff said in his application. "We must concentrate on the basics, but not exclude the arts, music and literature."
Norma R. Smith, a purchasing clerk for General Electric Co. Smith, 57, attended North Carolina A&T College. She is a leader in the Hurt Park Neighborhood Alliance, active in other community groups and a Mental Health Services volunteer.
"If the child is trainable, let's go the last mile to get him or her trained. We should strive to inspire and stimulate the child so that he or she may reach his or her fullest potential."
Ruth Willson, a homemaker and volunteer in the city school system. Willson, 42, has been active in the Fishburn Park School PTA and other volunteer school work. She is a graduate of Nassau Community College in New York.
"The education of the students should be a citywide priority. There must be an atmosphere of cooperation and mutual respect in the school system," Willson said. "The School Board should be a team that works together and cares about what is happening inside our schools."
Three people applied earlier: the Rev. Nelson Harris, pastor of Ridgewood Baptist Church; John R. Light, a partner in Roanoke Construction Specialities Inc.; and James W. Stephens, executive vice president of Lane Environmental Systems Corp.
by CNB