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

DATE: SATURDAY, June 12, 1993                   TAG: 9306120134
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-8   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Medium

CHAIRMAN'S LAST MEETING IS ANYTHING BUT ROUTINE

If it hadn't been for the catered reception that preceded it, School Board Chairman John McPhail's last meeting Thursday would have been a routine affair.

City officials, teachers, board members and others turned out to honor McPhail, who's stepping down this month, a year before his term ends. He does not plan to attend the board's June 24 meeting.

Except for three years in the early '80s, McPhail has been on the board continuously since 1977, all but two years as chairman.

Former City Councilman Guy Wohlford will take McPhail's seat July 1, when a new chairman will be selected.

"I can't imagine a School Board without John McPhail," board Vice Chairman Guy Gentry said at the reception as he gave McPhail a plaque from the board. The Radford Education Association also gave McPhail a plaque.

McPhail also picked up some T-shirts and a Radford baseball cap.

He saw many athletics-related controversies during his years on the board. Not surprisingly, one came up during his final meeting as the board voted to tell the Virginia High School League it wants to keep its girls basketball and volleyball schedules.

A February Governor's Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics report recommended that schools "schedule girls basketball and volleyball competition in the traditional sports seasons."

"I don't know if we want to fight a battle over it," said Radford High Principal James "Buddy" Martin, a former varsity coach. But he said scheduling girls' basketball during the winter would put "a severe bind" on Radford's facilities.

The chairman also got good news from Superintendent Michael Wright, who said a project to add music and art classrooms at Radford High School was "on schedule and within cost . . . We expect construction to begin on the building addition next week."

The board unanimously approved summer school programs for Belle Heth and McHarg elementary schools and Dalton Intermediate School and heard laments about low enrollments. Board member Carter Effler said he'd like the board to provide incentives for youngsters to take advantage of summer classes.

by CNB