ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Monday, March 3, 1997                  TAG: 9703030133
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-2  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: RICHMOND

SCHOOL CHIEF FIRED

Patricia Conn, the city's superintendent of schools who was suspended a month and a half ago, has been fired by the School Board.

The board gave no reason for its narrow 5-4 decision Saturday. Conn was placed on administrative leave until June 1, the effective date of her dismissal.

``This was not an easy decision,'' School Board Chairman Melvin Law said after a 90-minute closed-door meeting. ``We have deliberated seriously for a number of days and weeks.''

Conn, a former deputy superintendent in Rochester, N.Y., who was hired nearly two years ago, could not be reached for comment. She was suspended over questions that mostly focused on the handling of public funds.

-Associated Press

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