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

DATE: THURSDAY, September 22, 1994                   TAG: 9409230107
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

TEACHERS' GROUP MAY GIVE HARRIS VIDEO TO MEDIA

The tape reportedly shows Superintendent Wayne Harris promising alternative education staff members that they would keep their jobs after the program was revamped. Harris has denied that he made such a promise. Only 12 of 29 staff members from last year were hired for the revamped program this year.

If the School Board refuses to watch the tape as a group, a copy will be released to news reporters, said Gary Waldo, executive director of the Roanoke Education Association.

Waldo said he recently obtained the tape, but he won't say who gave it to him or why.

The REA wanted to show the tape to the School Board last week, but the board chose instead to listen to former employees of alternative education who want their jobs back.

The board endorses Harris' plan for alternative-education changes and took no action to rehire the former staff members. The old program had been criticized by consultants and the city auditor.

Chairman Nelson Harris wanted the board to view the tape last week, but several board members said they wanted to view it individually or with one or two members at a time.

But REA leaders have decided that they won't allow board members to view it individually, Waldo said. This would be too informal and would not provide the seriousness that is needed to consider the issue, he said.

Waldo said Wednesday that the tape will be shown to the board only if all members are present and former alternative-education staffers are permitted to attend

Waldo said the REA is willing to show the tape in either an open or closed session.

But it is unclear whether the board could bar the public and reporters from the meeting if it allows the former staff members to attend.

Assistant City Attorney William Parsons said Wednesday that he's not aware of any provision in the law that would permit a closed session to view the tape.

"We have no problem in either an open or closed meeting, but the people who were at last week's meeting must be allowed to attend," Waldo said.

Nelson Harris said the board will decide whether it wants to see the tape.

"I'll take the issue to the board and see what their feelings are," he said. "I had preferred that we watch the tape earlier so we could have laid the matter to rest."