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

DATE: THURSDAY, May 12, 1994                   TAG: 9405120186
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

GROUP GETS PETITIONS FOR SCHOOL BOARD VOTE

Organizers of a petition drive for a referendum on an elected School Board in Salem have collected enough signatures to put the issue on the ballot in November.

They have collected 1,400 signatures of registered voters, 185 more than the 10 percent required by state law.

The petitions have been circulated by Virginia Referendum Advocates, an organization that favors a vote on the issue but is neutral on whether Salem should have an elected board.

The petitions were filed in Salem Circuit Court. The court will check the signatures, and, if they are valid, order the referendum.

Aaron Smith, president of the referendum group, said organizers collected more signatures than required in case some turn out to be invalid.

Roanoke County will have an election in November to choose three board members; two more will be elected in November 1995.

In a referendum last week, Danville voters rejected a switch to an elected board.

by CNB