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

DATE: Thursday, May 9, 1996                  TAG: 9605090012
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A16  EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   28 lines

[CONNIE HINDMARSH]

Although my home is in Florida, I spend much of my time in Norfolk visiting my family. I have attended many of Connie Hindmarsh's productions because they were of Broadway quality and always received critical acclaim. Connie's Repertory program ``is public education at its best,'' wrote a drama critic.

On April 3, I read in The Virginian-Pilot that school superintendent Roy Nichols said, ``The Repertory company will resume production next year but without Hindmarsh.'' Today on the TV Channel 10 News, I heard Nichols' reply when asked about Connie: ``It is not an appropriated topic to talk about in a public forum.'' I have to wonder why it was an appropriate topic for him to discuss with the press previously.

Norfolk needs to be concerned about its public schools if Roy Nichols is the ``leader.''

ROSE PALAZZO

Fort Lauderdale, Fla., April 10, 1996 by CNB