Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 17, 1993 TAG: 9306170476
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: W-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LAURA WILLIAMSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Black plastic water pistols that look like handguns will now cost students an automatic 10-day suspension, the same penalty for carrying real firearms to school.
"That can be just as frightening to some," said Joe Kirby, director of instruction. He added that while Salem had not had problems with "look-alike" weapons, such problems were becoming a national concern.
Kirby said changes to the school system's student conduct code will also include prohibiting students from bringing tobacco products to school. Both teachers and students are banned already from smoking on school property.
School Board member Glenn O. Thornhill Jr., flipping through the lengthy new student conduct code, suggested new punishment: "If you want to punish somebody, you ought to make them read all this.
On another matter, it was praise, not punishment, that board members gave Superintendent Wayne Tripp at the conclusion of Tuesday's meeting.
After Tripp's annual review, School Board Chairman June H. Long summed up his performance with one word - "great."
"Mr. Tripp has done a very good job for us this year," she said. "We are well pleased."
Tripp said the board leveled no criticisms during his evaluation, which took place behind closed doors, but asked that he return with a list of goals for the year as he has done in previous years. Tripp's four-year contract was renewed in February.
His salary, which is reviewed during the budget process, will be $79,468 for the 1993-94 school year. He also receives a $425 monthly automobile allowance.
by CNB