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

DATE: THURSDAY, February 23, 1995                   TAG: 9502230065
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-8   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: MELISSA DeVAUGHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

MONTGOMERY SCHOOL BOARD CHAIRMAN'S SEAT UP FOR ELECTION

Montgomery County will see its first School Board elections this fall, and board members are beginning to consider whether to seek reappointment or become candidates.

The nine-member board will lose two of its at-large seats representing the towns of Christiansburg and Blacksburg (filled by Vice Chairman David Moore and Chairman Roy Vickers respectively) in 1998. This will put the School Board in sync with the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors election schedule, and both governing bodies will have seven members.

Vickers seat, however, is up for one more reappointment in June, before being phased out in 1998.

"I have four options and I haven't decided what to do yet," Vickers said Wednesday.

He can:

Seek reappointment in June for his seat, which would be abolished Jan. 1, 1998, along with Moore's seat.

Not seek reappointment in June, but come back again in November and run for a seat in District F now held by Dick Edwards.

Seek reappointment for his seat, run for election in District F in November, and if he wins, resign from his town seat.

Decide not to seek reappointment or run for election in November.

"I don't know what I want to do at this point," Vickers said. "I believe in public service and plan on doing something, but I don't know."

Becky Raines, who represents Shawsville and Elliston, also is considering what to do with her seat on the School Board. Her term also expires in June, and if reappointed she will serve until Jan. 1, 1998, before being confronted with an election.

"I'm not really sure at this time, I'll probably end up waiting until the last minute like I did last time," said Raines, who has served on the board for 31/2 years.

Four seats expiring Dec. 31 - those of Robert Goncz, Lou Herrmann, Dick Edwards and Peggy Arrington - are up for election in November. None of those members has decided whether to run.

Annette Perkins and Barry Worth have a secure position on the School Board until Jan. 1, 1998, before they will face the voters.

Vacancy notices for both Raines' and Vickers' seats will be posted next week. The application deadline is April 10, and appointments will be made May 22.

by CNB