Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 28, 1994 TAG: 9406300051
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Franklin said Monday he is not sure that he wants to keep working in an environment where he does not feel comfortable and cannot rely on school officials to keep their word.
"I'm debating whether I can work in the climate that now exists," he said. "I'm wrestling with that. I don't know if I want to remain."
Franklin's post as director of alternative education is being abolished as part of the restructuring of the program. Apparently, he could remain only as a staff member with no supervisory duties.
Franklin, who helped establish the alternative education program in 1986, said he followed the instructions of school officials in handling funds for the program. But he said they now accuse him of failing to comply with financial procedures and regulations.
School Superintendent Wayne Harris recently suspended Franklin for four days without pay. Franklin served an earlier suspension of two days with pay. Both times, he was cited for failing to comply with administrative and financial procedures.
On a 3-2 vote last week, the School Board sided with Franklin and overturned the recent suspension.
The alternative education program is being reorganized and a principal-level administrator will be hired to oversee it.
Franklin's role in the new setup remains unclear. Presumably he would be a staff member if he stays on.
As soon as the new person is hired, Harris said, a decision will be made on who will be retained from the current staff, including Franklin.
Harris said the goal is to retain as many staff members as possible. The program has a staff of 29, including 14 teachers. He said he is committed to improving the alternative education program and the pending changes are part of that effort.
The new administrator may not be called a principal, Harris said, but he or she must have the experience and qualifications of a principal.
The post requires a master's degree. Franklin does not have a master's degree and did not apply for the job.
Franklin said earlier that he preferred working with the students rather than overseeing the program.
Franklin said he fears that allegations that he failed to comply with proper financial procedures are similar to those against him when he was executive director of the Roanoke Opportunities Industrialization Center, a federally funded job-training agency.
"I see the same tendencies here, the same type of approach," Franklin said.
During his tenure at the job-training agency, there were allegations about misuse of federal funds, but no charges were filed.
by CNB