Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 9, 1993 TAG: 9305070039
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
This so-called joint meeting to discuss a possible consolidation of the county and school system's finance and purchasing departments is only the latest in the supervisors' "maneuverings" to keep our School Board members on a very short leash with the implication that "you will `heel' when you are in our presence."
As a parent, I have the utmost respect and admiration for our School Board members and their refusal to enter an illegal closed-door session to discuss the feasibility of this consolidation. Had they entered this session knowing that it was wrong as well as illegal, who would have been left to speak for our children? Only Supervisors Nick Rush and Jim Moore opposed the executive session.
It was not "personnel matters" that these supervisors came prepared to discuss on April 21, but rather a major power play, and it failed miserably. Only one supervisor, Jim Moore of Blacksburg, did his homework and came to the meeting with prepared questions to present to other supervisors.
Will such a merger be cost effective? Result in improved information services? Result in improved educational services? Result in increased accountability? Simplify the duties of principals and school bookkeepers who place purchase orders?
These questions could have been the basis upon which both boards shared an open and honest dialogue. We need to ask ourselves, "Will such a merger benefit our students? If so, how?"
In all of these attempts by our Board of Supervisors to take control, I have yet to hear them mention the word children. Our children do not need elected officials hungry for power.
As a voter and taxpayer, I now wonder about all the supervisors' other executive sessions - those behind-closed-doors meetings. Were they really necessary?
I attended the meeting where these supervisors were deciding our county budget for 1993-94. I was appalled as they sat around the table with three conversations going on at any given moment, just the general out-of-control-if- it-feels-good-let's-do-it attitude that prevailed at that meeting - all the while deciding on a $66 million budget for our county. And this is a board that wants to make us, our School Board - in essence, our children - accountable and fiscally responsible. Please!
We need to put our supervisors under the same microscope of accountability that they seek from us and our School Board. We each need to ask ourselves:
\ 1. When was the last time my supervisor held a community meeting to discuss specific needs within my district?
\ 2. When was the last time my supervisor called me or mailed me a questionnaire about the concerns within my district?
\ 3. Does my supervisor keep track of telephone calls from his constituents? If so, do I have access to the number and nature of calls he receives?
\ 4. As my supervisor, he is paid with my tax dollars to represent my district. (The chairman $677 a month; other board members $577 a month or $6,926 annually.) What is he doing to earn this money?
\ 5. When I attempt to reach my supervisor, is he accessible? How long must I wait for a reply to my questions or requests for help?
\ 7. With over 72 percent of my tax dollars going to support my schools, when was the last time my supervisor visited my child's school, talked to the administration or teachers to find out specifically what our needs are?
\ 8. At what point should I become concerned with my supervisor entering into discussions or proceedings that are illegal?
It is time to put pettiness, improper behavior and power struggles behind us and move forward with educating our children. If our elected officials cannot accomplish this without constant bickering, then the voters will find someone who will serve us and our children in a more effective and harmonious manner. Please believe us when we say there are other 500-pound gorillas in our midst.\ Glenda Thomas\ Riner
by CNB