Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 10, 1994 TAG: 9411100075
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Leggette received 2,994 votes; Merrill, 2,976.
"I make this request for all my supporters who need to close this election with no doubts as to its outcome," Merrill said Wednesday. "I owe my 40 percent of the voters this final check."
The county's voter registration office was checking with state election officials Wednesday to determine the proper procedure for a recount.
Assuming the recount confirms Leggette's victory, here's who won and who lost in the county's first School Board election:
County teachers were the winners, and women were the losers.
For the first time in nearly two decades, there will be no women on the five-member School Board. Incumbents Barbara "Bootie" Chewning and Charlsie Pafford did not run to keep their seats, which until this year had been appointed positions.
The Roanoke County Education Association, the 1,000-member teachers' organization, backed all three new board members - Leggette, Michael Stovall of the Vinton District and Jerry Canada of the Hollins District.
The teachers' endorsements were based on the candidates' positions on safe schools, parental involvement, preparation of students for jobs and other issues.
Both Leggette and Stovall attributed their victories in part to the teachers. Canada ran unopposed.
"We are pleased with the outcome," said Richard Kelly, president of the teachers' group.
"We figured that Windsor Hills would be close, but we thought [Richard Cullinan] would run stronger," Kelly said. Cullinan ran last, receiving 8 percent of the vote.
Kelly said the teachers believe the election results will help make the board more receptive to salary increases and other issues affecting teachers.
Leggette said the teachers' agenda includes many issues besides salaries, and he will work on them.
Leggette, who advocates more parental involvement, said he will appoint an advisory committee of parents and others to help improve communication among school administrators, parents and the School Board.
Stovall said he hopes to work closely with the teachers and help to make sure their concerns are heard by the board.
He added that he wants to be certain that the school needs in the Vinton District are treated fairly.
"People in Vinton feel they have been left out," he said. "I am going to visit all of the schools and see what the present and long-range needs are."
Stovall said he hopes the Board of Supervisors can provide more money for schools without having to raise taxes.
The supervisors are expected to be under pressure to increase school funds because the newly elected School Board members have their own political bases.
Throughout the campaign, almost all candidates advocated more money for schools, saying that elected board members can be more aggressive and independent than an appointed board.
Chairman Frank Thomas believes the School Board can work cooperatively with the new members, and he believes they will find that the board does the best it can with the money it has.
Thomas, whose seat will be up for election next November, said the new members will discover the budget pressures on the schools.
"Once they get aboard, they can see what we have done and how we have tried to meet the needs," Thomas said.
The supervisors approved an increase of $3.3million in local funds for schools this year, but the School Board still had to cut its budget by $800,000.
Thomas said women's perspective on issues will be missed when Chewning and Pafford leave Dec.31.
The School Board will be left with no women members just as it begins adjusting to the county's first female superintendent, Deanna Gordon.
But Gordon said gender won't affect her relationship with the board.
"I don't see that it makes a difference. I have never thought of the board in terms of gender," Gordon said.
by CNB