Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 19, 1990 TAG: 9007190497
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MARGARET CAMLIN NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Long
Other applicants include a Virginia Tech engineering professor, two Radford University instructors, a Floyd County special education teacher, an owner of a computer firm, and a New River Community College administrator.
Moye headed the school system for 2 1/2 years before being demoted to assistant superintendent in June 1987 after the board expressed dissatisfaction with his performance. He and the board agreed to terminate his contract at the end of 1988. He was to be paid nearly $100,000 as a settlement over the next several years.
Board member Robert Goncz, who was chairman when Moye left the system, said he believes the entire amount has already been paid.
"To the best of my knowledge, Mr. Moye is no longer associated in any way with the school system," Goncz said Wednesday. Moye is out of the country until Friday and could not be reached for comment.
The supervisors will interview candidates the week of July 23 or 30 and will hold a public hearing Aug. 13. The new School Board members will be appointed Aug. 27, with their terms expiring June 30, 1993.
Applicants for the District D seat, commonly known as the Riner district, to replace Mildred Gordon are:
Ron Angert, owner of Microsolutions International, a Riner-based computer firm. Angert has children at Auburn Middle and Riner Elementary Schools. He was the founder and director of the Haitian Agriculture Mission, which worked to increase the productivity and literacy of Haitian peasant farmers, from 1979 to 1987.
"I strongly believe that the future of our community will be determined by our children," Angert said in his letter of application to the Board of Supervisors. "However, the School Board must make very difficult decisions in the future in order to balance the needs of the schools and the resources available."
James Michael Sowder, a Montgomery County native who teaches special education in Floyd County. Sowder, who holds a master's degree in special education from Radford University, has two sons attending Christiansburg schools.
"I believe that having 17 years experience in the classroom in elementary, middle and high school settings will help provide parent, teacher and student insight into School Board matters," Sowder said in his application letter.
E. Mark Stewart, who will teach marketing at Radford University this fall. Stewart taught business courses at Wytheville Community College last year. He is also the office manager for Professional Rehab Associates, a health-care corporation in Christiansburg. Stewart has been PTA president and vice president at Bethel Elementary School and holds a master's in business administration from Virginia Tech.
Ken Strauss, who had expressed interest by telephone but had not applied as of 5 p.m. Wednesday. Strauss was expected to mail in his application. The Board of Supervisors will accept applications later in the week if they were postmarked Wednesday, the deadline.
Applicants for the Town of Christiansburg seat, to replace Kimberly Helms, are:
Moye, who was superintendent in Patrick County from 1977 to 1984 and in Amherst County from 1970 to 1976. He retired in January 1988 after 26 years as a superintendent, administrative assistant to a superintendent (Hanover County), principal and classroom teacher. He is now an agent with Virginia Retirement Specialists, Inc.
Board members Goncz, Virginia Kennedy and Donald Lacy served on the board when Moye was superintendent. Marty Childress and Richard Zody joined the board in July 1987, shortly before Moye's departure.
Roxie Novak, an assistant professor of math, statistics and computer science at Radford University, where she has taught for 24 years. A county resident for 17 years, Novak's son attended the public schools. Novak has served as a judge for math competitions at Christiansburg High School, where she also helped organize the Academic Boosters Organization. She holds a master's degree in math from West Virginia University.
"I believe that Montgomery County has an exceptional school system, and I am extremely interested and excited about the prospect of being a School Board member," she said in her application letter.
Michael Sowder, who lives on South Franklin Street and is eligible to represent either District D or Christiansburg, he said in his application.
Daniel Schneck, an engineer professor at Virginia Tech, where he has taught since 1973. Schneck has volunteered as an academic career adviser, Olympics of the Mind coach, and member of the textbook selection panel at Christiansburg Elementary, Middle and High schools.
He is the international president of the Biomedical Engineering Society, a consultant to the Veterans Administration's Biomedical Engineering Program, and holds a doctorate in engineering from Case Western Reserve University.
"My interest in being considered . . . is based on concern," Schneck wrote in his application letter. "Concern that nearly one out of every three students in our school system will drop out before he or she graduates . . . concern about the demise of the work-ethic in this country and the relaxation of strict educational standards in our public school systems . . . concern that our school system has become reactive, rather than proactive, responding with a "finger-in-the-dike" approach to problems as they arise, rather than with anticipation, foresight, and long-range planning." Schneck said he believes the county school system has potential. "I am committed to education - in fact and in principle - and I firmly believe in it as the ultimate answer to many of the problems which face our society today."
Clayton Tinnell Jr., owner of Tinnell Lighting & Supply Co. Tinnell submitted a brief application letter but no resume.
James C. Stewart, director of Economic and Technology Development at New River Community College. Stewart worked for Burlington Industries, Inc. for 23 years until 1987. He is chairman of the Montgomery County Recreation Commission, a member of Christiansburg's Board of Zoning Appeals and emergency planning committee, and a member of the county's Industrial Development Authority. He holds a master's degree in education from Virginia Tech.
" . . . If selected, [I] would work hard to help represent the entire county fairly and consistently," Stewart said in his application letter. "I would always support fiscal responsibility and educational excellence."
by CNB