Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 11, 1993 TAG: 9305110389
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LAURA WILLIAMSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The move means incoming Superintendent E. Wayne Harris, who takes over July 1, will go to work for the same board that hired him.
But it almost didn't work that way.
At least one councilman wavered until the last minute on whether to support Pincus, who regained his seat by a 5-2 vote. Day received unanimous support.
Vice Mayor Beverly Fitzpatrick Jr., who made up his mind after taking his seat at the meeting, said he hesitated to reappoint Pincus because he had accused the city earlier this year of wanting a "first class" school system but only being willing to pay for a "mediocre" one.
Because Pincus is chairman of the school board, his comments can seriously hurt the image of Roanoke schools, Fitzpatrick said.
"When somebody of his stature makes a comment like that, it goes a long way," he said. "We have a great school system."
Pincus could not be reached for comment Monday night.
The Roanoke Education Association, which mailed 600 fliers to teachers last week urging them to lobby council on behalf of Pincus, feared he would garner even fewer votes, Director Gary Waldo said.
The REA endorsed both Pincus and Day, as it did when they were appointed three years ago.
Waldo said one council member, whom he would not identify, told him Pincus had only two definite votes as of several weeks ago. He attributed those votes to Mayor David Bowers and Councilman William White.
White acknowledged he told Waldo that Pincus might not get the nod.
"I just told him it was no sure thing," he said. "Mr. Pincus has not made all members of council happy lately. But who does?"
Waldo said "hundreds" of teachers called council members to lobby for Pincus.
"Politics count," he said. "Politicians take note of how many people have called or written to them."
But Fitzpatrick said he received only 25 to 30 calls and several letters, not all of which were in support of Pincus. He added, however, that the volume was "more than I've ever gotten."
Bowers, Fitzpatrick and White all said they wanted Pincus to remain on the board to provide continuity for the new superintendent, who replaces Frank Tota.
The two councilmen who did not vote for Pincus - Delvis "Mac" McCadden and Howard Musser - voted instead for Paul E. Corn, a retired Franklin County educator who recently moved to Roanoke.
The other two applicants - former PTA leader Patricia Witten and disabled-advocate Joel Kelly - failed to gain even a nomination for the two terms that begin July 1.
Pincus, 37, is a track coach at Roanoke College and former director of ECPI Computer Institute. He pointed to his role conducting the search that located Harris as his greatest accomplishment on the board.
Day, 59, has served as vice chairman for the past two years. He is a retired teacher, guidance counselor, principal and coach for city schools.
by CNB