Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 9, 1994 TAG: 9407110199
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By MELISSA DeVAUGHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Some educators were dismayed, however, because they were not given input into the plan, which will move six central office administrators directly into the schools as support "strand coordinators."
The coordinators, who now have various administrative tasks, will serve as assistants to the principals under the reorganization. They'll have broad job descriptions that will include, among other things, overseeing curriculum matters, arranging speakers, obtaining course materials and helping teachers manage their classes.
There will be two coordinators in Blacksburg and Christiansburg, and one each in Shawsville and Auburn.
"This is very clearly [Bartlett's] vision for the schools," said B.J. Mullins, Montgomery County Education Association president. "While he shared what he wanted to do, he never said, 'What do you think about that?'"
A morale survey presented to the School Board May 17 recommended that Bartlett "modify his methods of communication with central office personnel, school-level administrators and teachers."
School system employees complained about Bartlett's lack of communication with them.
"This move will enhance the delivery of our curriculum and get our personnel out in the schools," Bartlett said. "It also will be a good beginning to site-based management on all levels."
Mullins disagreed, saying one basis of site-based management, a method in which principals make their own decisions about their schools, is to share information with principals and allow their input.
"It's entirely within his scope to reorganize, but it would have been more productive had this been discussed at great length with the professionals involved," Mullins said. "I can't say that it doesn't work because it isn't in place yet, but I think I would have been more comfortable had we been invited to talk about it."
Although he never met with MCEA members or other groups, Bartlett said Friday that he did meet with principals more than three months ago.
Alfred Smith, principal at Blacksburg High School, said he knew about the plan, but still wasn't sure about the details.
"I imagine what [Bartlett] was alluding to was when he met with us in staff meetings," he said. Bartlett told the principals he hoped to house the new coordinators within the schools.
"That's about the extent this has been explained to me," Smith said. "But I think it would be very advantageous to have [strand coordinators] in the schools. I could certainly use somebody to help me - and the teachers - with the curriculum."
Bartlett, who has the authority to reorganize at any time, said the new plan will involve no pay cuts or cost increases.
"In fact, we will save $2,000," Bartlett said at the meeting, held Tuesday night. That money will be saved when two supervisory positions, already vacant, are replaced by the lower-paying coordinators' jobs.
"The intention is not meant to restrict principals in any way, but rather to give additional help in different areas of curriculum," said John Martin, assistant superintendent for support services.
Although the reorganization plan is not finalized, Martin said, it is "pretty much in place." Butch Morris, instructional supervisor for kindergarten through 12th grade; Judy Barylske, supervisor of secondary education; and gifted coordinators Heidi Bernard and Jane Goette will move from the central office to their new posts by the beginning of the school year. The two remaining positions have not been filled.
Principals who used to report to these supervisors at the central office, "will now report directly to me," Bartlett said.
Mullins remains warily optimistic about the new reorganization, but said she wants to concentrate on what's really important.
"Our primary concern is to provide the tools necessary for teachers to do the best they can for their classrooms," Mullins said. "As long as this is being done I can support [the reorganization], but we'll have to wait and see if it works."
by CNB