THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, March 9, 1996 TAG: 9603090396
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALETA PAYNE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 40 lines
Ferdinand V. Tolentino, the first Filipino American to serve on the School Board, will not resign that post despite the threat of prosecution for malfeasance charges.
Tolentino was the last of seven board members to make his announcement in the wake of a special grand jury report released last week. The jurors, investigating the district's finances, urged prosecution if any of those board members did not quit their seats.
In announcing his decision during a press conference Friday at First Colonial High School, Tolentino said he provides the perspective of the young and of the Filipino-American community on the board.
``No other members can bring those voices to the choir,'' he said.
Commonwealth's Attorney Robert J. Humphreys has made it clear he will pursue charges against those who do not leave. Five of the board members have announced their resignations. Tolentino, who was just 24 when appointed to the board two years ago, joins Tim Jackson in resisting the order.
If Humphreys makes good on his promise, Tolentino likely would be off the board before the matter goes to trial. His seat is up in the May election, and he did not file to run. Still, Humphreys has said he would pursue charges against any board members who did not resign in a timely manner.
A handful of supporters greeted Tolentino's announcement with applause. He declined to answer questions, citing pending legal issues. ILLUSTRATION: Tolentino is the last School Board member to say whether he'll
stay or go.
KEYWORDS: VIRGINIA BEACH SCHOOL BOARD by CNB