ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, July 10, 1996 TAG: 9607100036
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: RADFORD
SOURCE: LISA APPLEGATE STAFF WRITER
After seven years on the city School Board, Chip Craig received his highest honor Monday night.
By a unanimous vote, Craig was elected chairman.
"This really means a lot to me coming from this board," he said after the vote. Serving on the Radford School Board "has been a real passion of mine anyway. It's one of the most meaningful things I've ever done."
Craig, a lawyer, has been active in legislative issues through the Virginia School Board Association and serves as an officer in the state group. He replaces former Chairman Guy Gentry, who decided not to run for another term after eight years on the board.
Craig opted, however, not to replace Gentry's actual chair, which sits smack in the middle of the board.
"I've got a good view right here," he said from his usual spot at the end of the long table.
"Besides, [Superintendent Michael Wright] has ample space sitting here next to me to kick me if need be," Craig joked.
The board also unanimously elected Carter Effler as vice chairman. Effler served six years on the board before the Radford City Council appointed Spencer Hall to his seat last year. It was one of the last appointments made before the city switched to an elected School Board.
Monday's meeting was the first for Chris Harrison, who also won a seat in the May election.
Effler wasted no time speaking out about an issue that came up during his previous tenure: meal prices.
To compensate for a salary increase, school administrators proposed raising breakfast and lunch prices by 10 to 50 cents.
Effler wanted to see a greater increase for daily prices, and keep the weekly price the same, all to reduce the stigma around free and reduced-price lunches.
Children who buy lunch or breakfast by the week receive tickets. So do children who receive free or reduced meals. Some children are too embarrassed to use the free meal tickets, Effler said, and don't eat.
Lowering the price of the weekly meal cost would attract more families to buy it, he reasoned. The more children who used tickets, Effler said, the less embarrassed children would be to use the free meal ones.
Board members decided to discuss the issue again July 25, when Director of School Nutrition Lola Hedge could be present.
LENGTH: Medium: 51 linesby CNB