Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 15, 1990 TAG: 9005150641
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: BY PATRICIA LOPEZ BADEN EDUCATION WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In the past, a number of School Board members have come under fire for being uncritical of the administration of city schools superintendent Frank Tota. Several who have been critical have been bumped off the board after a single term.
City Councilman Howard Musser said he believes both Finn Pincus and Emmanuel Edwards will scrutinize administration proposals more closely.
"I think they're both very astute, intelligent individuals," Musser said. "I hope they will question things they don't think are right, or that they don't agree with, and then get them changed."
Pincus said today that he intends to look at every issue on its own merits.
"I don't see myself aligning with any person or group," he said. "I'll hear what others have to say, but I'll have to make my decision based on what I think is best for students."
In an interview today, Edwards said that "the question is not whether one is pro- or anti-Tota, but a question of integrity. If I feel what Mr. Tota proposes is correct, I will back him 100 percent.
"But if I believe what he proposes is not in the best interest of the school system, I will tell him unequivocally."
Edwards said he would try to make his views known in private first, "but I will state my views publicly if that's the only way to have an impact."
Over the past three years the School Board has slowly shifted from what many considered virtually a rubber-stamp board to one that is becoming more independent of Tota.
One of the two board members who left this year, William White - who was elected to the City Council two weeks ago - was perceived as an independent who frequently questioned Tota on budget policies and bids and who voted against Tota's last pay raise.
Guy Byrd, a first-term member who left unexpectedly when he took an out-of-state job, was a personal friend of the superintendent and was generally regarded as supportive of the administration.
School observers and former board members say that the appointment of Pincus and Edwards reflects a growing desire among City Council's constituency for a more independent School Board.
"Emmanuel will be very objective," said one observer. "He is very polished, very technical. He's the type that goes by the facts. I think he'll be independent."
Pincus appeared to be more of an unknown quantity, primarily because he has not aligned himself with any group, which most interested parties regard as a good sign.
"He's young, and doesn't appear to be beholden to anybody, which is good," said one educator. "We need more neutral thinkers, and he's one with an education background, which is a big plus."
Pincus is director of the Electronic Computer Programming Institute. Edwards is a lawyer.
Most educators and other observers said they did not expect a dramatic shift in the School Board, primarily because Sallye Coleman - long perceived as one of Tota's most ardent supporters - was reappointed to fill the remainder of Byrd's term.
However, they say, a shift is definitely emerging.
Over the past three years, several critics of Tota were denied reappointment to the board, among them one-time board members Don Bartol and Laverne Dillon.
While board members perceived as actively critical of Tota have left the School Board, active supporters are diminishing in number as well.
"You've got more wild cards here," one observer said. "It's becoming a much more neutral board, and I think we could be seeing some real changes."
Several said they believed there is still deep resentment throughout the city of a controversial salary and benefits package that the board narrowly approved for Tota last year. Among other things, the package gave him an early retirement option that allows him to be a consultant for seven years after he leaves the system. His consultation fee will be tied to a percentage of his salary at the time he retires.
Edwards said that is one issue he intends to scrutinize closely.
"I think we need to look at what the market will bear and how superintendents in similar districts are compensated," he said. "That will be a key consideration for me.
"A leader has to lead by example, and there is the definite potential for resentment if administrative salaries get out of line and teachers are uncomfortable with their own compensation."
by CNB