Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, January 28, 1994 TAG: 9401280240
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LAURA WILLIAMSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
During an hour-long, closed-door session Thursday night, School Board members discussed the application of Kenneth Walker, superintendent of schools in Halifax and South Boston and chairman of the Coalition for Equity in Educational Funding.
During the discussion, in which board members named Walker as one of two candidates for whom there was much support, the voices of several board members at times were so loud they could be heard clearly out in the hallway.
Told later that Walker's name could be heard, board member Charlsie Pafford asked that it not be printed.
"We tried very, very hard to take care of [candidates'] confidentiality," she said. "We try really hard to protect them, because you get the best-qualified applicants that way."
Pafford said she "would not deny or confirm" Walker's candidacy.
School Board Chairman Frank Thomas did confirm it.
"I'm sorry that you had to find out that piece of information in that way," he said.
Contacted at home and asked whether he had applied for the job, Walker responded, "Is that open?"
"I don't have any information about that," he said. "I really don't know anything about this. I'm not in a position to respond."
Thomas said Walker had asked for confidentiality.
As superintendent of one of the poorest school districts in the state, Walker has been a spokesman for the coalition of rural and inner-city school divisions suing the commonwealth. The coalition charges that Virginia violates its constitution by not providing an equal education to all students.
The case has risen as far as the state Supreme Court, where it will be heard sometime during the next few months.
Among those competing with Walker for the position are four candidates from within the Roanoke County school system, including Assistant Superintendent Deanna Gordon.
Gordon's name also could be heard during the discussion.
After the meeting, Chairman Frank Thomas said one candidate to be interviewed came from out of state, three from within the state but outside the county system, and four from within the system.
He said interviews would be held between Feb. 1 and 15.
Board members chose the eight from a "short list" of 11 candidates they agreed upon earlier in the month. The list was developed with the help of a 10-member citizens' advisory committee, which reviewed applications with the candidates' names removed.
All told, 39 people applied for the job Superintendent Bayes Wilson will vacate when he retires June 30. School Board members must choose his replacement by March 1.
by CNB