Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, February 25, 1994 TAG: 9402250231
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Gordon, who has been assistant superintendent for four years, will succeed Bayes Wilson when he retires June 30.
Chairman Frank Thomas said she was the "best of the best" of the 39 people who applied for the job during a nationwide search.
"The board has been most impressed with [her] strong human relations and communication skills," Thomas said. "More importantly, she has an overriding concern for the welfare of all the children of Roanoke County.
"She is a visionary person with the ability to share that vision, as this school division continues to pursue excellence in education."
Board member Charlsie Pafford said Gordon's selection reflects the board's support for Wilson and the schools' top administrators.
"We like the direction we are going. We want it to continue with new energy and vision," Pafford said.
Gordon, 55, has worked for the county school system for 33 years as a teacher, assistant principal, instructional supervisor and director of elementary education.
Her salary will be $90,000. She will be given a car, but otherwise will have the same fringe benefits as other employees of the school system, Thomas said.
Gordon is the third consecutive county school superintendent who rose through the ranks to get the top job. The others were Wilson and Arnold Burton. A fourth superintendent, Herman Horn, had also worked in the county system, but he taught at Virginia Tech before he was appointed.
Gordon will be the county's first woman superintendent.
Gordon's selection will be popular among the county's teachers, said Debbie McClure, president of the Roanoke County Education Association.
"The RCEA has had good relations with her. I think she realizes that the RCEA is an asset to the schools," McClure said. "She is eager to listen and she has always been a supporter of classroom teachers."
Wilson told the board that he felt it had made an excellent choice.
In an interview after being chosen, Gordon said she will try to help the school system keep its status as one of the best in the state.
While she wants the county to continue its strong academic programs and activities for the college-bound, Gordon said schools also have to prepare students for the workplace.
Funding is always a major concern, she said, but she believes county taxpayers are willing to pay for quality schools. Roanoke County expects to receive only $327,000 under the General Assembly's proposal to reduce funding disparities between wealthy and poor school districts.
Roanoke County does not have major problems with alcohol, drugs and violence in schools, but Gordon said school administrators, parents, churches and other agencies need to work together to address those issues.
"We need to instill a sense of responsibility in our young people for their actions - in their personal life as well as their studies," she said.
Gordon said she views the board's unanimous support for her as a strong vote of confidence in Wilson and other top school officials.
Vice Chairman Maurice "Buck" Mitchell agreed, saying the board believes Gordon will provide the same kind of leadership. "It was a tough choice when we got down to the end, but [Gordon] overall had the qualities we were looking for," Mitchell said.
"I can assure you that this was not an easy task," said board member Jerry Canada.
"You will have my support," Canada told Gordon.
Gordon was one of four applicants from within the county school system who made the "short list" of eight candidates. The board did not identify the other three from the county.
The top eight applicants were interviewed by the board before it narrowed the choice to three finalists for additional interviews.
Twenty-five applicants were from Virginia and 14 were from nine other states. Twenty-two applicants were superintendents or former superintendents.
The board used a citizens' advisory committee to help screen the applications. And it also sought the advice of the Virginia School Boards Association.
Wilson is retiring after 14 years as superintendent. He has worked for the school system for 38 years as a teacher, business manager, director of finance, high school principal and assistant superintendent.
by CNB