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

DATE: SATURDAY, May 6, 1995                   TAG: 9505080051
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

VOLUNTEER AT PENN FOREST ENTERS RACE FOR SCHOOL BOARD

So she has decided to run for the Cave Spring Magisterial District seat on the School Board, becoming the first candidate to enter the race.

White spends several hours a week as a volunteer at Penn Forest Elementary School where her two children, Sara and Anna, attend.

She enjoys working in the library and helping with the pupils, but she wants to fill a larger role and to know more about what is going on in the school system.

White, a medical technologist whose career is on hold while she raises her children, said she doesn't see herself as a politician. Her interest is the schools, but she said she's willing to enter the political process to get on the School Board.

"Overall, I think we are fortunate to have good schools," she said. "But I would like to be a positive factor to help bring improvements."

White is concerned about crowded schools in Southwest Roanoke County and favors the construction of a new Cave Spring High School.

Before becoming a candidate, she had a long conversation with Maurice "Buck" Mitchell, who has represented Cave Spring for six years.

Mitchell decided not to run because he did not have the time to run a political campaign and raise the money to finance it.

White is seeking advice from different people on running a campaign and might seek someone to help handle campaign details.

White worked as a medical technologist for 15 years in North Carolina and Richmond before she married and had two children. Her husband, Robert, is a pathologist at Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

In circulating her petition to get on the ballot, she found that the proposed new Cave Spring High School is a major concern of parents.

"I was asked if I would support it," she said. "The existing high school is bursting at the seams, and a lot of parents mentioned the need for a new school."

White said she favors one large high school instead of two smaller ones because it could offer more diversity in the curriculum and a larger variety of courses.

If the new school is delayed too long, she said, interest rates on bonds might go up and cause a big increase in the $20 million estimated cost.

White also said The School Board should make certain that teachers' salaries remain competitive and schools are kept in good repair.

Because she is not working, White said, she would have the time needed to serve on the board and visit schools.

Voters will also elect a board member in the Catawba District, where Board Chairman Frank Thomas will not be running. No candidates have announced in Catawba. The filing deadline is June 13.

Carol White

Age: 48

Background: Grew up and worked in North Carolina; was employed at Medical College of Virginia for 11 years before moving to Roanoke Valley 10 years ago.

Education: East Carolina University, bachelor's degree in medical technology; Medical College of Virginia, master's degree from the School of Basic Sciences.

Professional: Medical technologist.

Community: Roanoke Academy of Medicine Alliance, former president; American Cancer Society.

Family: Married with two daughters, who attend Penn Forest Elementary School.