Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, December 18, 1993 TAG: 9404220017
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
As Gov.-elect George Allen and his challenger, Mary Sue Terry, were both quick to point out during their campaigns, too much of the money that taxpayers spend for public education never reaches the classroom. Millions of bucks stop at the door of central administration offices where ranks of educrats micro-manage them away.
This is one issue where Democrats, Republicans, parents, teachers and virtually everyone have found common cause to insist on reform - and it's an issue that has helped promote the idea of "site-based management" for schools.
What does this mean? Well, it apparently means different things to different people.
Ideally, it means moving away from central-office, paper-pushing, one-size-fits-all decision-making that can oppress innovation and creativity. It means extending more flexibility and authority to those on the front lines: the principals and teachers actually charged with educating children.
Sometimes, it means more democratic decision-making at the site, as well, including not just teachers but parents, students and community representatives.
Many schools around the country talk the talk better than they walk the walk when it comes to site-based management. Most school districts have a long way to go in decentralizing decision-making.
For it to work well, in any case, front-line educators must have more discretion over the spending of education dollars - as Roanoke schools' Superintendent E. Wayne Harris has proposed.
Harris' plan is to put $1.4 million directly into the hands of the city's 29 school principals. This would be a substantial increase in the funds they can spend, without seeking clearance from him or his staff, on the individual schools' priorities.
Those priorities would be determined by committees composed of school faculty, parents and other community members - the people, in other words, closest to the purpose for spending: the schoolchildren themselves.
In no way would this mean that principals and teachers are less accountable. On the contrary: With more say-so over the spending of funds, they assume more responsibility to show good results for the spending.
Oversight of central administrators would not disappear; it would be of a different kind. Less overbearing, more results-oriented, it is hoped.
The wisdom of decentralizing authority while increasing accountability is spreadingly rapidly in the business world, and it's a natural for government as well, especially schools.
Harris' proposal is in keeping with what he said before he took over as city schools superintendent last summer - that he believes strongly in site-based management, and that he would build on the site-based-management pilot programs begun by his predecessor, Frank Tota.
Harris says it's time to put into practice what he's been preaching. Good. Other school divisions have been leading the way with this restructuring reform - Franklin County has been doing it for years. The city ought to hasten to join them.
by CNB