Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, July 2, 1993 TAG: 9307020082
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LAURA WILLIAMSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Like secretary June Nolley's desk. And the superintendent's conference table. And where the books will be stacked and the clock will be hung and who knows what else.
Even the walls are showing a new face.
Making one of his first decisions as superintendent - before he even unpacked his first box - E. Wayne Harris ordered the dark paneling pasted over with white wall coverings.
"I'm a bright person," he said. "It adds light to this room. It adds, I guess you might say, E. Wayne's touch."
Several hundred miles north, former Superintendent Frank Tota said he would wait a few weeks before adding his touch as the new head of the school division in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.
"After spending 12 years in Roanoke, I have so many lovely memories I don't know whether to keep them here or at home," he said, adding that the walls of his new office remained bare.
It was taking a little time for his new secretary to make the adjustment as well.
"Dr. Gerson's office," she said, as she picked up the phone.
Twice.
Tota, who replaced retiring Dobbs Ferry Superintendent Raymond Gerson, said he spent the day meeting with principals, teachers, school board and PTA members.
"Actually,this is my first breathing period and it's 4:30" p.m., he said. "I came in with two satchels this morning, and one is still unpacked."
Tota will have a lot of adjusting to do as he settles into a school district encompassing three schools - two of which, the middle and high schools, share the same campus. His office is between the two buildings.
Behind him are the controversies of Roanoke's 29-school district, including one that dogged him to his final days. It will now be up to Harris to decide how to handle the case of William Shepherd,an elementary school teacher charged with failing to report suspected child abuse.
Harris said he has yet to be briefed on the issue.
Top on his priority list is preparing for the School Board's July 7 planning session, at which Harris will present lists of goals for the school system gathered at 14 community meetings during the past several months.
Like Tota, Harris spent his first day on the job meeting with staff and community members eager to greet their new administrator. A representative from the food services department brought him apples and brownies;School Board member Wendy O'Neil sent flowers, as did his staff, his secretary and his family.
Someone pasted "Welcome Supt. Harris" banners above the elevator and in the central office lobby. And friends stopped by or called to wish him well.
Harris, who hopes to move soon into a house on Lake Drive, said he will spend much of this weekend moving into his new office. There are boxes to unpack, pictures to hang and books to shelve.
He's even considering turning one wall of his office into an exhibit of student artwork.
But there was one decorating decision Harris did not have to make. He made it several years ago, in an office in Fairfax County, and has yet to change his mind.
It involved a little brown leather and a seat that swivels and rocks.
"I've been sitting in this chair since 1982," he said.
Some things never change.
by CNB