THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, December 17, 1995              TAG: 9512170041
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY JON GLASS, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE                         LENGTH: Medium:   53 lines

HOLIDAYS MAY DETER VOTERS, AID SPECIAL INTERESTS TUESDAY'S ELECTION FOR SCHOOL BOARD WAS SCHEDULED TO MEET STATE RULES.

With Tuesday's first-ever School Board election coming just six days before Christmas, many predict a light voter turnout and worry that special interest groups could decide the outcome.

``You're likely to see those that are angry about something or have a point to prove or who want to see something take place or not,'' said David Ollison, who has an elementary-age son.

City registrar Ginny Garrett said she's heard that PTAs are encouraging people to vote, but competition with the holiday season will be tough.

``Due to the time of year, a lot of people will be out of town or busy preparing for the holidays, so I don't believe it will be a heavy turnout,'' Garrett said.

City voters overwhelmingly approved the switch from an appointed to an elected board by a 5-to-1 margin in November 1993. The U.S. Justice Department, concerned that the city's at-large voting system would dilute minority votes and discriminate against black candidates, prevented the city from scheduling an election until the department dropped objections in August.

The City Council set the election date in December to meet state election guidelines. Candidates had until Nov. 20 to file.

``It's really thrown us into a hectic pace,'' said Jim Caruth, director of the Chesapeake Education Association. ``The time frame is really tough.''

Eleven candidates, including four incumbents, are running for five board seats, and some residents say challengers are at a disadvantage because nobody knows them.

``I think at this election there may not be much of a ripple,'' said parent Joyce Shock. ``This election came on so fast I think some people are sitting back and waiting to see where the tide goes.''

Voters will be back at the polls in May to elect people to the remaining four seats, which could overhaul the nine-member board.

``I'm of the opinion we need a whole clean sweep,'' said Carl Burns, a board member of the Chesapeake Taxpayers Association. ``We had a large turnout to get an elected board, and they need now to express their opinion.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MORT FRYMAN/The Virginian-Pilot

Going up in Great Bridge: Hickory High, which, with a new elementary

school, is likely to cut the number of portable classrooms next

fall.

by CNB