Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 3, 1994 TAG: 9409060028
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Harris also denied that race was an issue in the realignment of the program for troubled youths, as the head of a citizens' group has charged. He said the number of black teachers for the program actually will increase in the upcoming school year.
The superintendent said he regrets that some staff members apparently misunderstood when he met with them in the spring.
Harris told the 30-member staff that not all of them would be rehired and that all teachers in the alternative-education program must have licenses and certificates to teach their courses.
Harris also told them that the school system would help pay tuition costs for two years for those who wanted to obtain teaching certificates. The tuition offer was intended to apply to those without certificates who where rehired for nonteaching jobs.
"I thought it was clear that our goal was to hire certified teachers in the alternative-education program," Harris said. "It is regrettable that some individuals did not ask for a clarification."
Harris said that state law requires school systems to use only certified teachers in order for the students to get credit for their courses.
Gary Waldo, executive director of the Roanoke Education Association, contends that there is no requirement for certified teachers in alternative education.
But Harris cited a state code provision:
``No teacher shall be regularly employed by a school board or paid from public funds unless such teacher holds a license or provisional license issued by the Board of Education.''
Harris said that he wants the alternative-education program, which was established before he became superintendent, to have the same standards as other programs.
"Quite frankly, it has not met the standards of the city and state," he said.
Out of the staff of 30 in the past year, 24 applied for a job in the upcoming school year. Twelve were rehired - eight as teachers and four in support jobs as secretaries and paraprofessionals.
Those who were not rehired have been invited to apply for other jobs in the school system for which they are eligible, and several have done so.
Harris said the new staff will have 25 members - 18 teachers and seven support personnel such as secretaries. Seventeen teachers already have been hired; one science teacher's job remains to be filled. All teachers will have subjects they are licensed to teach.
Of the 24 people hired, 12 are white and 12 are black. "In this hiring, we have maintained a diverse work force," Harris said.
Michael McIntosh, who has been hired to oversee alternative education, is black. He comes from Danville, where he helped run a similar program.
Harris said the teaching staff is outstanding - four are pursuing doctorates and several others have master's degrees. Nearly 60 applicants were interviewed for the teaching positions.
Harris said the alternative-education program gets a "bad rap" because of negative publicity, but he wants it to become a place where students can excel academically and socially.
He said that the academic integrity of the alternative-education program could be jeopardized if teachers without certificates continued to teach there.
About 100 students are in alternative education, but the number can vary as students shift back and forth from regular classes.
by CNB