THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, March 1, 1996                  TAG: 9603010019
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A14  EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   27 lines

SCHOOLS AS COMMUNITY CENTERS WON'T FLY

``City officials are developing plans to transform schools into year-round centers'' (MetroNews, Feb. 19):

Forty years ago I lived in a small town where an effort was made to accomplish things which the city officials envision here in Norfolk. After having spent tax money for equipment, the plan was put into effect. For about three weeks it seemed to be money well-spent, but then attendance began dropping so that two months after the program had begun the whole idea was given up.

We concluded that parents preferred to sleep in the morning, to sit at home watching TV after work, to pursue their own activities on weekends. I think that the goal of the school officials is admirable, but I believe that any money spent on the program could be put to better use!

J. R. MERRITT

Norfolk, Feb. 19, 1996 by CNB