Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 26, 1990 TAG: 9007260463
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PETER MATHEWS
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The supervisors interviewed four candidates Wednesday: Ron Angert, owner of a Riner-based computer firm; James Michael Sowder, a Christiansburg resident who teaches special education in Floyd County; Roxie Novak, an assistant professor at Radford University who also teaches a class at Blacksburg High School; and James C. Stewart, a New River Community College administrator.
Asked by Supervisors Joe Stewart and George Gray how they would deal with the budget problem, the candidates generally offered few specifics but expressed strong support for teachers.
"I hope we don't cut teachers or [increase] class size," said Novak, who cited small classes as one reason why Radford schoolchildren test so well.
Supervisor Stewart asked Sowder whether he would be willing to cut the county's administrative staff.
"If it looks like things are getting top-heavy . . . it's definitely something that needs to be looked at," he said. "I believe the people who are doing the educating are in the classroom."
Generally, the candidates thought small schools were better than large ones; that the dropout rate needed to be reduced, though there were few clear solutions; that closer school-business ties should be cultivated; and that the public must get more involved with schools.
Mildred Gordon, whose recent resignation created one of the School Board openings, expressed frustration that residents weren't angrier about overcrowding at Christiansburg Primary and Elementary schools.
James Stewart said many of the community college's students come back for more education after discovering they are unqualified or underqualified for jobs.
He said the dropout problem needed immediate attention, and that the best way to address that would be to educate parents. The impetus to stay in school ultimately comes from the family, he said.
He and Angert agreed that spending more money doesn't always help. "Every problem is not going to be solved by throwing money at it," said Angert, who maintained that people are more important than "stuff."
On the other hand, he said, "There's no value in shorting education. You're either going to pay for it in the classroom or you're going to pay for it right next door here" - at the sheriff's office.
Most of the candidates were asked about merit pay and most said they favored it - if a fair evaluation could be developed.
Eight candidates are vying for the town of Christiansburg seat formerly held by Kimberly Helms, who resigned recently, and Gordon's District D seat. District D includes part of Christiansburg and southwestern Montgomery.
The supervisors will interview the other four candidates at 7 p.m. Monday at the county courthouse.
A public hearing on the candidates is set for 7 p.m. Aug. 13. The supervisors will make the appointments Aug. 27.
by CNB