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

DATE: TUESDAY, May 9, 1995                   TAG: 9505090095
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SCHOOL BOARD ADDS MEMBER

Payne and Harris each received six votes Monday as City Council filled the two seats; their terms begin July 1. Martin Jeffrey received two votes.

Harris was seen as a strong favorite for reappointment, with Payne and Jeffrey competing for the second seat.

Payne, New River Valley circulation manager for the Roanoke Times & World-News, received the support of all council members except Elizabeth Bowles, who voted for Harris and Jeffrey. Payne was a finalist when she applied for a board seat in 1992.

Harris, minister of Ridgewood Baptist Church, had the backing of all council members except Mac McCadden, who voted for Payne and Jeffrey.

Former Rep. Jim Olin and several ministers supported Jeffrey, director of community development and outreach for Total Action Against Poverty. But their lobbying effort at a recent public hearing did not win many votes.

As a board member, Payne, 37, said her first priority will be the children and doing what is best for them.

``If they are looking for someone to speak on behalf of the school administration, City Council or some other group, they shouldn't look to me,'' she said.

``I'm going to speak on behalf of the kids,'' she said. "I'm going to be an advocate for them. That will be my emphasis."

Payne said she will insist that the schools provide quality programs for all children - average students, as well as the gifted and disadvantaged.

``You've got the kids in between, and there is nothing targeted for them,'' she said. ``We need to put more emphasis on them.''

Payne said she agrees with the School Board's goal of raising teachers' salaries to attract and retain the best teachers. She also wants the board to help create an environment in schools where teachers will feel free to express their views.

Many teachers are afraid to voice their concerns because they fear reprisals, said Payne, who will fill the seat being vacated by Don Poff.

Payne believes that the schools should begin a team management or total quality management program similar to that used in private companies.

``I think the school system needs to get involved in something like that,'' she said. "I believe it could be helpful."

Harris, chairman for one year and a board member for three, said he appreciates the confidence council has shown in him.

One of the toughest challenges for the board in the next few years, Harris said, will be dealing with the financial crunch that will be caused by downsizing in the federal and state governments.

He hopes the reopening of Hotel Roanoke will generate additional tax revenue that can help pay for salary increases for teachers. Roanoke has been trying to catch up to surrounding localities in teacher salaries in recent years, but it is not moving fast enough to satisfy teachers and some School Board members.

Harris said that school safety and discipline will remain a top priority. He said the board will stick with its get-tough policy of expelling students who bring guns or other weapons to schools.