THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT  
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, July 22, 1994                  TAG: 9407220552
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: BY JON GLASS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK                            LENGTH: Medium:   59 lines

CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION: ***************************************************************** Clarification A headline in Friday's MetroNews section, ``School board elects first black chairman,'' implies that Ulysses Turner is the first African-American to serve as Norfolk School Board chairman. As noted in the story, Lucy R. Wilson - Turner's predecessor - broke the color barrier when she took over the chairmanship in 1990. Correction published in The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star on Saturday, July 23, 1994, on page A2. ***************************************************************** SCHOOL BOARD ELECTS FIRST BLACK CHAIRMAN

After four years of leadership under its first black chairwoman, the School Board cleared another historic racial hurdle Thursday.

The board unanimously elected Ulysses Turner, a black real estate developer and its most senior member, to be chairman. He becomes the first African-American man to lead the seven-member panel.

``What I want for the school system is no different from those who preceded me: what is best for students and parents and the community at large,'' Turner said after moving into his new seat.

Turner, beginning his eighth year on the board, served as vice chairman the past year under Lucy R. Wilson, who broke both the color and gender barriers when she took over the helm in 1990.

Wilson, who developed a reputation as a skilled consensus builder and strong leader, stepped off the board in June after serving 12 years.

The board unanimously selected Robert F. Williams as vice chairman.

The votes signaled the intent of the board, which has four white and three black members, to continue its united front under the new leadership.

Board member Anita O. Poston waged a strong campaign for the chairman's seat. After Williams nominated Turner for the post, Poston immediately moved to close the nominations.

``Our task is not to promote our egos but to promote our school system,'' Poston said after the meeting.

Turner, 51, is a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School and Norfolk State University. He is known in the community for his efforts to redevelop Park Place.

Two of the chairman's top goals are to increase parental and community involvement in the schools by strengthening parent-teacher organizations and opening the school grounds for after-school activities. He also promised to focus efforts on creating safe schools and raising academic achievement.

``The schools belong to the parents, the community and the students, not the board or the superintendent,'' Turner said. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

Ulysses Turner, 51, is known in the community for his efforts to

redevelop Park Place.

by CNB