ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Thursday, June 6, 1996                 TAG: 9606060090
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-1  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER 

BOARD'S NEXT LEADER LIKELY TO BE FEMALE

Marilyn Curtis and Marsha Ellison have emerged as leading candidates to become the first woman to head the Roanoke School Board when Chairman Nelson Harris resigns next month to take a seat on City Council.

Curtis, an eight-year board veteran, said she'd like to succeed Harris if her health permits. She has had back problems in recent months and isn't sure whether she will be able to take on the duties of the post.

"It would be a good culmination to my years on the board," Curtis said. "I'd like to give it a try. ... "

She will be ineligible for reappointment when her term ends June 30, 1997, because members can serve only three terms under a policy City Council adopted several years ago.

Curtis has been a strong supporter of Superintendent Wayne Harris and sought a third term because she wanted to work with him to help accomplish his goals.

Curtis, who is vice chairman and the senior member of the board, is a corporate officer for Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.

As a board member, she has tried to make sure that students who are not going to college have marketable skills when they leave school. She also has given high priority to school safety.

If Curtis doesn't get the post, Ellison is considered the likely choice, according to other board members.

Ellison is a former president of the Central Council PTA and was active in the PTA for a decade before her board appointment. She has been a board member for two years.

Ellison, a graduate of Hollins College, has focused on making sure that the needs of all students are met. She also has been concerned about technology and computer training for students. She was a strong supporter of the $23 million long-range technology plan for schools that was adopted last year.

Harris, the chairman for two years, was elected last month to a two-year term on council. He will take his seat July1.

Charles Day is a former chairman, but has not expressed interest in the post again. Day recently was reappointed to another term.

Board members John Saunders and Melinda Payne have told their colleagues that the demands of their jobs make it difficult for them to give the time the job would require.

Brian Wishneff, the newest member, was recently appointed by council. He will take office July 1 and is not seeking to become chairman.

Wishneff will fill the seat that has been held by Finn Pincus, who did not seek reappointment because he wanted to devote more time to his job.

Council will fill Harris' unexpired term after he resigns. Vice Mayor William White said he thinks council should use the same procedure to fill the vacancy that is followed for regular appointments: invite applicants and publicly interview up to three finalists, he said.

Roanoke is one of a dwindling number of localities in Virginia that retain appointed school boards. Most localities have elected boards.

LENGTH: Medium:   59 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  (headshots) Curtis, Ellison.