Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 5, 1993 TAG: 9305050090
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
That was good, since he was the only nominee - the first time there has been just one since the supervisors began appointing School Board members in 1990.
Last year, Pulaski County voters, who had approved board appointments by supervisors, overwhelmingly approved another referendum changing the method again - this time to direct election of board members, effective next year.
One of Monday night's questions to Chaffin, from Supervisor Bruce Fariss, was whether Chaffin thought the School Board should have taxing authority when its members are being elected to office. Fariss noted that education is already the county's biggest single budget item.
"I can anticipate that there would be some problems with one elected body asking another elected body for money," said Chaffin, who is the board's chairman. "But, not having examined it, I'm going to try to keep an open mind and see what happens."
Supervisors Chairman Jerry White asked about increasing demands put on school systems by the state legislature - but often ending up being paid for by local money - to solve all kinds of social ills rather than simply providing education.
"We don't have all the answers," Chaffin said. "I personally think the solution starts at home."
But Pulaski County teachers are seeing ever larger numbers of young people bringing deeply rooted problems to school with them, he said.
The School Board has asked for two additional school nurses and two psychologists in its 1993-94 budget to deal with children with special problems.
"We're trying to deal with it as best we can, but it does come with a price tag," Chaffin said.
In answer to a question on school funding by Supervisor Joe Sheffey, Chaffin said Pulaski County is simply going to have to fight for whatever it can get at the state level. Since that funding is being reduced, there is no other money source than the supervisors, he said.
And if the county is unable to make up for the state cuts, which appears to be the situation in the coming budget year, there will have to be some decisions on where to cut, Chaffin said.
Supervisors Mason Vaughan and Ira "Pete" Crawford had no questions. Crawford said he was glad someone as qualified as Chaffin was willing to accept another term. The reappointment of Chaffin as Ingles District representative was unanimous.
Chaffin, 48, became School Board chairman last year. He is Chaffin director of continuing education and community services at New River Community College, where he has been since 1974. He worked previously for school systems in Lynchburg and Franklin County.
He has served on the School Board since 1986.
by CNB