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

DATE: THURSDAY, October 28, 1993                   TAG: 9403180025
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-13   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By MAURICE L. MITCHELL
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SCHOOL BOARD ISSUE:

A NUMBER of citizens have told me they are confused about the referendum on selecting School Board members in Roanoke County. It seems only fair that voters understand that the method can be left unchanged. The way to do that is to vote no for each question concerning School Board selections. Vote no twice.

There is also confusion because almost no information has been circulated explaining the current system. It is important to note the following points about the School Board Selection Commission:

The selection commission is the least political method out of the three choices. Political affiliation is not even considered and applicants are never asked about it.

The commission will screen all applicants. Members will look at the applicant's background and consider such traits as business experience, school-related activities and the ability to dedicate a lot of time.

Any citizen who is a qualified voter and a bona fide resident of the district from which they are selected may apply. This selection method does not require the time and expense of a campaign.

Currently, Virginia law does not allow local school boards to have taxing authority like most elected school boards in other parts of the nation. Hence, the elected school board would have no more advantage than a board chosen by the commission method.

The commission is sensitive to citizens' concerns about the performance of a school board member. The commission does consider all aspects of an applicant, and each board member who wants to serve more than one term has to go through the process each time.

Citizens have input through a public hearing as well as contact with the commission member who represents their district. Therefore, citizens do have a voice if they are not satisfied with the performance of a school board member.

The commission tries to appoint board members whose primary concerns are the children and the quality of the educational system. There is little opportunity for pressure from special-interest groups or for those with narrow and limited concerns.

The Roanoke County school system has consistently ranked as one of the top systems in the state. How can changing the method of selecting School Board members improve a system that has such a proven program?

The recent consolidation vote confirmed that Roanoke County citizens were concerned about a strong education system based on neighborhood schools and wanted to retain their system. If the voters still feel the same way, they should seek information on the issue.

If they want to leave the selection method the way it is now, vote no twice.

Maurice L. Mitchell is vice chairman of the Roanoke County School Board.

by CNB