Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 23, 1994 TAG: 9402230156
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
James Beatty, city personnel administrator, has applied for one of the three seats with terms beginning July 1.
Beatty is a former teacher and coach who has worked for the city for 21 years, mainly in the areas of recruitment and employment.
City Attorney Wilburn Dibling said Tuesday he is researching state law to determine whether there would be a conflict of interest if Beatty served on the School Board.
Beatty said he doesn't think there would be any conflict. "They are two different entities - the schools and the city," he said.
Two others have applied for seats on the board: Marilyn Curtis, who is seeking her third term, and John Saunders, a principal in Princeton Associates, an investment and management company.
Several others are expected to apply, including incumbent member Wendy O'Neil and Marsha Ellison, president of the Central Council of the Parent Teacher Association.
Both O'Neil and Ellison said they plan to apply before the March 10 deadline.
City Council will make the appointments after publicly interviewing the applicants.
Incumbent Jay Turner is ineligible for reappointment because he has served three terms, the maximum allowed under a City Council policy.
Beatty has been active in civic and school activities, including serving on several educational advisory boards and participating in workshops for students.
He has a bachelor's degree from Winston-Salem (N.C.) State University and a master's degree in education from the University of Virginia.
Beatty also is pastor of the Bethel A.M.E. Church in Roanoke, and is a member of the Harrison Museum of African American Culture.
He said his teaching experience and his work with school groups would be beneficial if he becomes a board member.
Saunders, who grew up in Roanoke and attended city schools, said his business experience would help him to contribute to the School Board in the areas of fiscal management and budgeting.
Saunders, who has two children in city schools, said he has a unique perspective on the school system because he has lived in Boston, Dallas and London and became familiar with schools there.
Saunders has served on the boards of several business and civic organizations, including the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce and the School Board's long-range planning committee.
He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia and a master's in business administration from Harvard University.
Curtis, a board member for six years, said she would help provide continuity during a transition period as Superintendent Wayne Harris begins his administration and Turner leaves the board. She would be the senior member if she is reappointed.
Curtis served on the city manager's Task Force on Community Relations, which made recommendations to help improve relations between police and the black community.
A licensed funeral director, Curtis has been active in many community and civic activities, including the Girl Scouts and other children's organizations.
by CNB