Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 13, 1994 TAG: 9408150036
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
She is the third announced candidate in Windsor Hills, and there are two other potential candidates for the November election.
Merrill, 42, said she has the background, experience and educational philosophy that are needed on the board.
Describing herself as a children's advocate, Merrill said her years as a teacher in other states gave her a better understanding of educational issues and problems.
Merrill, who lives in Bent Mountain, has two children in school and has been involved in parent-teacher association work. She has lived in Roanoke County seven years.
Merrill said she has visited nine county schools, met with top school administrators, participated in hearings on changes in special-education regulations, been a guest speaker in social studies classes and donated copy paper to the Bent Mountain Elementary School for three years.
"No other candidate has been as personally involved with Roanoke County schools as have I," she said.
The other announced candidates in Windsor Hills are Tom Leggette, a lawyer, and Raymond Denney, an employee with the state Deparment of Social Services.
Charlsie Pafford, who has represented Windsor Hills for 12 years, has said she will not be a candidate.
As a teacher in a school that served public housing projects in Dallas, Merrill said she helped reduce the absentee rate from 31 percent to 7 percent in her classes. She also provided free tutoring and meals for some children and obtained jobs for them.
"I understand the challenges that parents face. I want to work for the children. I have a vision of a superior educational system that works for all children in Roanoke County," she said.
Merrill said that the guiding philosophy in a successful school system should be doing what is best for the children.
As a School Board member, she said she would be willing to ask the tough questions and make sure that her votes would be in the best interests of the children.
Merrill said she would would push for an efficiency program to help reduce unnecessary costs and use the money to provide better pay for teachers and instructional programs.
Merrill said she has experience with elected school boards in several states where she has taught. Elected school boards tend to be more responsive to parents and voters, she said.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB