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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 20, 1994                   TAG: 9404200120
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

STUDENT EXPELLED FOR POSSESSING KNIFE

Another student has been expelled from Roanoke schools for bringing a weapon onto school property; four have been kicked out in the past two months.

The latest case involved a middle school student who reportedly had a military knife.

The School Board voted Tuesday night to expel the student, but board members would not identify the student or the school. The board identified the student only by student number.

Three students were kicked out earlier - two for bringing guns to school, and a third for having a knife on school property.

Like the earlier cases, board members did not discuss the latest incident or the circumstances surrounding it.

Board members are backing Superintendent Wayne Harris' get-tough policy on guns, drugs and violence at schools. Parent-teacher association leaders also have voiced strong support for the superintendent's efforts to rid schools of drugs and weapons.

Under the policy, school officials automatically recommend expulsion for possessing drugs and weapons on school property. The School Board decides whether to kick out the student.

Under the new policy, students who sexually harass others also can be kicked out.

On a separate issue, the board voted to start school one day later than usual this fall because the first of the Jewish High Holy Days, Rosh Hashana, falls on Sept.6 and 7.

Schools normally would open Sept.6, the first Tuesday after Labor Day. But the School Board approved a school calendar that calls for schools to open Sept.7.

The Roanoke County School Board has approved the same opening date for schools to avoid a conflict with the Jewish holy days.

Faye Pleasants, assistant superintendent for personnel, said the 1994-95 school calendar includes three snow days instead of two as in recent years. Because of so much bad weather this winter, some school divisions missed as many as 15 days, although Roanoke missed fewer than surrounding localities.

Roanoke students will get a one-week spring break next spring, unless bad weather causes schools to be closed more than expected.

Roanoke County students also will have a weeklong break, unless the schools are closed for more than 10 days for snow.

by CNB