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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 22, 1995                   TAG: 9511220083
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-5   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Associated Press|
DATELINE: FAIRFAX                                LENGTH: Short

EX-STUDENT EDITOR FIGHTS FOR SCHOOL ELECTION RESULTS

A former high school newspaper editor wants the Virginia Supreme Court to overturn a lower court's ruling that student election results do not have to be disclosed.

Lucas Wall, now a freshman at the University of Missouri, was rebuffed by Fairfax County Circuit Judge Gerald Lee this spring in his attempt to obtain tallies of student elections at Centreville High School.

Lee ruled that the results are protected from disclosure under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

The systemwide practice in Fairfax schools is to report only the winners in student elections. School officials contend that disclosing each candidate's tallies would discourage students from running for office for fear of embarrassment.

Wall contends the student newspaper has the right to examine the full results and determine whether they are appropriate for publication.

A three-judge panel of the state Supreme Court will decide next month whether the full court should hear the appeal.

by CNB