Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, February 26, 1994 TAG: 9402260045
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
When Deanna Gordon was a teen-ager, she thought she wanted to go into business and make a lot of money.
Being a teacher never crossed her mind until a high school history teacher inspired her to go into education.
Gordon, 55, grew up in Bedford County near Vinton. She graduated from the tiny, old Stewartsville High School, where her desire to become a teacher was born.
Once she began teaching, she knew that's what she wanted to do. She still wasn't sure she wanted to be a school administrator. That came later.
Gordon, who on Thursday night was selected by the School Board to become Roanoke County school superintendent in July, has spent most of her life preparing for the job.
She's happy that she got the post, but she realizes the enormous responsibilities that come with it.
"It is a very sobering thought," she said.
On Friday, Gordon was busy accepting congratulatory phone calls and bouquets of flowers from friends and school officials. She also gave several interviews.
While she enjoyed the congratulations, she said she would be happy to get back to work.
Her selection has pleased teachers, PTA leaders and the county Board of Supervisors. They praise her ability to communicate with people.
Evelyn Ball, president of the Roanoke County PTA Council, said Gordon keeps the PTA informed on school issues.
"She's always available if we have questions," Ball said. "When [school officials] were preparing the plan to make up school days lost to snow and ice, she called me to let me know what was going on."
County Supervisor Bob Johnson said Gordon will provide stability to the school system at a time when it is needed.
Johnson has known Gordon for more than 20 years. His children attended Hardy Road Elementary School where she was an assistant principal. He also worked with her when he was executive director for the Roanoke County Education Association.
"Her tenure and credentials put her ahead of everyone. If she had not gotten the job, it would have been an embarrassment," Johnson said.
Supervisor Harry Nickens said Gordon "will build on the excellent school system we have now and lead it into the 21st century."
Nickens, a former member and chairman of the county School Board, said the new superintendent has the respect of teachers and parents.
Supervisor Ed Kohinke said he's glad Gordon was selected, because the school system will need continuity in the transition to a new superintendent and an elected School Board.
"We need some stability during this period, and we have someone who knows the school system," Kohinke said.
Gordon, who is cautious about educational fads and reforms, said she doesn't foresee dramatic changes in county schools when she becomes superintendent.
Changes in education are inevitable, she said, but she doesn't want to jump on the bandwagon of the latest fad. "I favor steady improvement. It is easy to get caught up" in changes that don't work, she said. "Change is needed, but we can't experiment with our children."
Gordon and School Board members believe the county school system is in good shape with no need for radical change. County students traditionally rank above state and national averages on standardized tests of ability and achievement.
Board members indicated they saw no need to bring in an outsider when the school system has no major problems.
Gordon said she will use a team approach as superintendent and try to involve many people in decision making. "I hope to be open-minded and flexible," she said.
Gordon has reservations about two reforms in public education that several states are considering: vouchers and charter schools.
In a voucher system, students can receive public funds to help pay for education in private schools.
Under a plan proposed by state Sen. Brandon Bell, R-Roanoke County, students could receive vouchers for up to 80 percent of the funds allocated by the state for their public school education.
Gordon said vouchers would take money from public schools without reducing their operating costs. The school system still would have to staff and operate its schools as usual with no cut in expenses, she said.
Children in the Roanoke Valley already have a choice with Roanoke's magnet schools, the Governor's School and the free-tuition policy that allows children in one locality to attend schools in another, Gordon said.
Charter schools are an interesting concept, she said, but she wonders how they could be exempted from the state regulations that public schools have to follow.
Under the proposal, groups of parents could be given a charter to operate their own school. The schools would be financed with state funds but would not have to follow some regulations that apply to public schools.
"If the rules are not enforced in one case, how can they be enforced in another case?" Gordon said.
County schools do not have major alcohol, drug and discipline problems that exist in many inner-city schools. But Gordon said principals, teachers and administrators are monitoring the situation.
School officials see no need for metal detectors or security guards, she said.
Gordon also opposes the distribution of condoms at schools to help prevent the spread of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.
"That doesn't send the right message to our young people," she said. "We don't see that as a need."
Gordon said school officials and parents need to instill in youths a sense of responsibility for their actions in the classroom and in their personal life.
Gordon would not cite any problems or challenges facing the school system, saying she would let them evolve.
But the need for more money could be an early problem. The schools could face a financial crunch during the next few years as the pressure for teacher pay raises increases and other expenses keep rising.
The county will receive $327,000 in the next two years in disparity funds to reduce the spending gap between rich and poor school districts, much less than other systems are slated to receive..
The school system might ask the county for more funds, but Gordon believes additional money can be provided by normal economic growth without raising tax rates.
Gordon stays so busy with her work and community activities that she has little time for recreation and hobbies. But she enjoys bird watching and reading, she said.
by CNB