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

DATE: SUNDAY, October 24, 1993                   TAG: 9310220038
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-7   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: STEPHEN FOSTER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS MIXED ON CAMPAIGNING

When the issue was on the ballot last year in 42 other localities, it passed in every one.

But then ask if they would run a campaign, and most say: Hhmmm, let's wait and see.

Most of the nine-member board also agreed with Chairman Roy Vickers' pronouncement about the change. "Without taxing authority, it won't make much difference."

When polled about running for office, board member Barry Worth said, "I just don't know whether I would run. I would have to assess the situation at the time . . . and see if I wanted to apply for another four years."

His comments were echoed by board members Lou Herrmann, Annette Perkins and Rebecca Raines. All said they were fence-sitting, unsure if they would Perkins want to spend the time and energy to campaign for a seat.

Not so for Vickers, however.

"There will be elected school boards," he predicted.

"So the first question is, `Would I run?' and the answer is, `Yes.' "

David Moore, the board's newest member, also said he would run. "I think it would be a neat experience."

Virginia Kennedy, the board's longest-serving member, said she would not run, but also said she would not be applying for another term in any case. Donald Lacy also said he would not run for a School Board position.

Vice Chairman Robert Goncz could not be reached for comment.

Overall, the board members' concerns ran along similar tracks:

The pressures, time and costs of campaigning might prompt some qualified people not to run.

Statistics show elected school boards include fewer minorities and women.

Politics and the need for votes could cause board members to focus more specifically on their districts, to the possible detriment of the county as a whole.

Without taxing authority, the School Board would still be beholden to the Board of Supervisors or council to set the school budget. Campaign promises would stand on the shaky assumption that the supervisors or council members would fund any campaign promises.

"To me it makes no sense," Lacy said. He foresees more tension between the School Board and the supervisors, who hold the purse strings. He also predicts more narrowly focused single-issue candidates and perhaps a diminished ability of the board to focus on educational issues outside the political arena.

When - not if - voters decide to make school boards elected, that's when Lacy would start looking for another job, he said.

If he wanted to have an impact on education in an elected post, Lacy said he would instead consider running for supervisor. "Then you have an impact on the budget."