Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, August 27, 1994                   TAG: 9408290042
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ROANOKE SCHOOL BOARD WILL STAY OUT OF REVAMPING FIGHT

"We feel like it has been handled appropriately. It is a personnel matter, and we feel that it is an issue for the administration," Harris said.

"I think most of our members are generally supportive of our superintendent and his administrators."

Harris said the board has no plans to have a special meeting, sought by leaders of the Roanoke Education Association.

REA President Mercedes James and Executive Director Gary Waldo urged the School Board this week to order the rehiring of the staff members.

They charged that Superintendent Wayne Harris and other administrators have broken a promise that the alternative education workers would have jobs for another year.

Fewer than half the 29 staff members, mostly teachers and aides, have been retained. Many teachers who were not rehired do not have certificates from the state to teach the courses they have been teaching.

Superintendent Wayne Harris is revamping the alternative education program and wants all teachers either to have a certificate or be working to get a certificate soon. Consultants have recommended the program's restructuring.

James said the staff members were told they would have two years to gain their certification.

But Waldo has accused Ann Harman, executive for student services and alternative programs, of misleading the public and alternative education staff by implying that the schools must have only certificated teachers.

"There is no requirement that all teachers in alternative education must have certificates," said Waldo, adding that he has talked with the state Department of Education. "This is a phony argument, and it's just not true."

Waldo said he has talked with School Board members, and some seem to have an open mind on the issue but they do not want to oppose the superintendent.

As a first step in revamping the alternative education program, Michael McIntosh has been hired to be the administrator.

Waldo claimed that some School Board members "did not do their homework" before approving the plan for revamping the program.

"Some have become rubber stamps for [Wayne Harris]. This could erode confidence in them," he said.

Waldo said that one board member, Charles Day, is sympathetic to the staff members who have lost their jobs. Day could not be reached for comment.