Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 2, 1994 TAG: 9406020051
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By BRIAN KELLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The five men - applicant Andrea L. Kavanaugh was out of town - explained why they wanted to be on the School Board and answered a round of questions on school financing, the Focus 2006 study and other issues before the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors.
The board will hold a public hearing on the District F Blacksburg-area seat on June 13 and make the appointment June 27 to replace Virginia Kennedy, who is resigning after eight years.
The supervisors will fill two other seats June 13: District G, which includes Blacksburg, and District B, which takes in part of Christiansburg, the Ellett Valley and the Vicker area. All three seats will be for 18-month terms leading to the first School Board elections in November 1995.
The candidates and some of their interview highlights include:
William H. Sanders, a manager with Virginia Tech's computing center and advocate of integrating technology with education. Sanders, who turns 45 next week, studied the issue as part of Focus 2006, a year-long effort to find ways to improve the schools.
Part of that effort looked at ways to improve the use of technology for job preparation, perhaps by developing closer links with businesses that need technologically savvy graduates. Sanders, though, would not be pinned down on a question about how much school spending should increase a year in light of the need for more technology. "The real issue is what does it cost us not to do it," he said.
Gary L. Long, 38, a chemistry professor at Tech who won plaudits from one supervisor for serving as a Cub Scout leader in charge of 56 children. Long gave the school system a B+ in relation to other Virginia school districts. He said the problem facing the system is low teacher morale. "Obviously finances have something to do with that," he said. But there are ways to raise morale that don't involve money, Long said.
The specialist in environmental chemistry and ground water contamination said he probably would not run for the School Board next year because of the "recent polarization we've seen between right and left."
James C. Klagge, 39, a philosophy professor at Tech. Klagge was the only candidate to specifically refer to the recent climate study of school system employees that found widespread discontent with School Superintendent Herman Bartlett and, to some extent, the School Board.
"The School Board really needs to take an active role in dealing with and reacting to the climate study," Klagge said. Later, he said he wasn't referring specifically to Bartlett.
Klagge appeared to have done his homework on current school matters. He cited the the issue of equity between the schools in Blacksburg and Christiansburg and the more rural areas of Shawsville and Riner. And he mentioned the need for the School Board and supervisors to agree on growth estimates to fund a realistic program for new schools or upgrades of existing ones.
Richard C. Edwards, 56, a retired Army colonel with 30 years of military experience, including an assignment with the Joint Chiefs of Staff before retiring in 1990. Edwards now works in property management for Raines Real Estate Inc. in Blacksburg.
Edwards admitted he wasn't well-versed in the particulars of School Board issues, but said he'd bring with him years of practical experience.
Edwards has two sons in the school system. "From my own perspective, the school system is high quality," he said. "I want to ensure that quality is retained."
M. David Alexander, 52, who previously served on the School Board from 1979 to 1983, and has pledged not to run next year. Alexander, a professor at Tech specializing in the legal aspects of education, said he is part-owner of an apartment property in Blacksburg with Bartlett. But he said he would be an effective, independent member of the board, which is Bartlett's employer.
Alexander ranked the school system in the top 20 percent statewide and said it had improved in the 11 years since he was on the School Board. He earned kudos from several supervisors with his joking response to a question about the new Blacksburg-area elementary school: "Anyone who builds a school building with a flat roof ought to be shot."
by CNB