DATE: Friday, July 25, 1997                 TAG: 9707250702

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B5   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY DENISE WATSON, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   59 lines

POSTON TAKES TURNER'S PLACE AS CHAIRMAN OF NORFOLK SCHOOL BOARD

The School Board elected new leadership Thursday, although three board members abstained from voting.

Former vice chair Anita Poston was selected to replace Ulysses Turner, who has served as chairman for three years. Retired banker Conrad Greif is now vice chairman.

Two of the board members who abstained, Alveta Green and Anna Dodson, couldn't be reached for comment after the meeting. Turner, who also abstained from voting, said he didn't vote because the board expressed the need for an African-American member in the leadership ranks but some board members wanted to ``pick and choose'' who that member should be. The three board members who abstained are the only African Americans on the seven-member board.

``The board members are committed to an African-American chair,'' Turner said. ``But some wanted to decide which African-American chair to lead the board.''

Board members left Thursday evening for a Williamsburg retreat and could not be reached for comment.

Several board members nominated Anna Dodson and Alveta Green for both chairman and vice chairman positions, but both declined the nominations.

Poston and Greif were later nominated and cast votes for themselves, and received votes from Joseph Waldo and James Herndon to fill the leadership seats while the others abstained.

During the meeting, Turner thanked the board and administration for their work and cooperation before vacating the chairman's seat for Poston.

``I have enjoyed working as chairman for the past three years,'' Turner said. ``I believe there are seven people here capable of leading the School Board.''

Poston said during the meeting that even though ``there appears no clear mandate for my leadership'' she was honored with the vote.

``I don't see the role of the chair as to push or pull,'' Poston said. ``But I've certainly learned a lot from Ulysses in terms of leadership.''

The change in command wasn't surprising. Waldo began the nomination process by saying that board members have talked for months about the importance of changing the guard periodically.

``We've valued Ulysses' leadership, but a number of board members talked about changing leadership,'' Waldo said. ``Our wanting to change is no reflection on Ulysses, but as (many) are well aware, this administration is very change driven.''

After failed nominations with Green and Dodson, Herndon said he was disappointed that there wouldn't be any minority representation in the ranks.

Others were also concerned.

``The black community is very disturbed by it,'' said Vice Mayor Herbert M. Collins Sr. He said he and other black City Council members plan to hold a press conference soon about the board's reorganization but haven't confirmed a time or date. MEMO: Staff writer Jon Glass contributed to this report. ILLUSTRATION: Anita Poston, formerly vice chair, will lead the

School Board. Conrad Greif was picked to be the new vice chair. KEYWORDS: NORFOLK SCHOOL BOARD NORFOLK SCHOOLS

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