THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 25, 1996 TAG: 9604250309
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A9 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: DECISION 96
PART 2: THE ISSUES
SUFFOLK
LENGTH: Long : 106 lines
The question: 1. The district is now experiencing tremendous enrollment growth. What growth-related issues are you most concerned about? 2. And, in your opinion, what growth-related issues are not being addressed, or adequately addressed, at this time? NANSEMOND
John R. Riddick Sr.
Age: 68
Education: Attended Hampton Institute, now called Hampton University; served in the U.S. Air Force
Employment
Retired from the paint department of Newport News Shipbuilding
1. Inner-city growth and the problems of downtown. 2. What's causing the plight of citizens from the inner-city.
Arthur D. Smith
Age: 51
Education: B.A. Frederick College; M.A. education/counseling, College of William and Mary
Employment
Tidewater Community College, Associate Dean for Student Enrollment Services/College Registrar. Current board chairman.
1. I currently think the school division is addressing the enrollment growth issues.
The School Board, for instance, had a consultant prepare a demographic study of enrollment growth and patterns. The results from that were used to help us design our 10-year, capital-improvements plan addressing population growth. The plan was then submitted to the City Council, which also commissioned a Blue Ribbon Task Force to look at the issue from the standpoint of a group of citizens. 2. What will ultimately determine adequacy is receipt of necessary and adequate state and local funding. WHALEYVILLE
Mark A. Croston
Age: 37
Education:
Doctor of ministry, Virginia Union University; master of divinity, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; B.A. engineering, University of Pennsylvania
Employment: Pastor, East End Baptist Church, Suffolk Current board vice chairman.
1./2. I am most concerned that our instruction budget not be negatively impacted by the demand for greater resources and capital improvements that growth requires. SLEEPY HOLE
James E. Perkinson Jr.
Age: 51
Education: Bachelor's degree, East Carolina University; master's in education, Old Dominion University
Employment: Building manager at Tidewater Community College.
1. The most important growth-related issue for the Sleepy Hole Borough is adequate schools. 2. The growing needs at the middle school level must be addressed quickly. More classroom space is needed and mobile units are not the answer. Lead time is needed to plan, design, and construct a school. We need to act quickly to meet this growing demand.
Bruce T. Benn
Age: 29
Education: Enrolled in doctoral program in educational administration, Virginia Tech; M.A. educational administration from ODU; B.A. political science/history, Tuskegee University.
Employment: Assistant principal, Bayside High School
1. School building accommodations need to be addressed to allow adequate housing for our students. 2. Also with our continued growth, our teacher-student ratio will have to be adequately addressed to make sure our high academic standards are not compromised.
Robert M. Brooks Jr.
Age: 42
Education: Christopher Newport College; law enforcement certificate, Paul D. Camp Community College; A.A.S. degree in public service technology
Employment: Assistant special agent in charge - Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control's Bureau of Law Enforcement
1. I feel the growth issue is the most important issue before this board and the City Council. Growth is good. However, we must be aware that in the next 10 years we will be past the critical stages if we do not address building new schools now to prepare for the future.
If it means a tax increase, then I would hope that the citizens would support a building program so we could continue to decrease the class sizes and try to play catch up. 2. I feel that the School Board is quite aware of the growth problems and many of the council members are also, and realize the growth issue is very much in the front seat of issues. ILLUSTRATION: [Photos of all candidates]
KEYWORDS: COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS PUBLIC JOURNALISM SUFFOLK SCHOOL
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