Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 27, 1994 TAG: 9411070015
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
But he never became a teacher, because the salaries were low and there was an oversupply in the job market.
Rouse got a job as a manager in a trucking company. He worked there until two years ago, when he became a real estate agent.
He never lost his interest in schools and government, though.
Now, Rouse wants to get into education as a policy-maker rather than as a teacher or administrator.
He is running for the Vinton District seat on the Roanoke County School Board, hoping to use his educational training and management skills on the board.
Rouse, who was born and grew up in the Mount Pleasant section of the county, has conservative views about education. But he makes no apology for them and believes many parents and voters agree with him.
He says schools must maintain high academic standards and reject all efforts to lower or compromise them.
"If Johnny can't read, then Johnny can't pass to the next grade," Rouse says. "Academics is what schools are about."
Teachers shouldn't have to be baby sitters who look after children who don't want to learn, he says. Students who continually disrupt classes should be removed from the classroom, he says.
Rouse wants parents to become more involved in the educating and disciplining of their children. He also believes that parents should have a larger role in developing curriculum.
Rouse says he is the only candidate in the Vinton District who has prepared a platform and told voters how he stands on issues. He has released a position paper on his views.
He says he is an advocate of traditional family values on sex education, prayer in schools and discipline, but says he is not affiliated with the Rev. Pat Robertson's Christian Coalition or other religious right groups.
Rouse says the Virginia Beach television minister frightens some voters. Still, Rouse has views similar to Robertson's on some issues.
Sex education courses should be directed toward abstinence and traditional family values, Rouse says. Likewise, any school division should be "extremely cautious of affiliating itself with any group or organization that supports abortions for minors without parental consent," he says.
He believes that time should be set aside for nondirected silent prayer in schools. "Let students say a silent prayer based in the religious beliefs of their family, or sit silently while others observe the moment," Rouse says.
The county has a good school system, he says, but it must find ways to make sure that teachers' salaries are competitive so it can recruit and keep the best teachers.
Rouse says the School Board needs to develop a three- or five-year plan for raising teachers' salaries.
Because of the need for more school funds, the county might have to seek alternative ways to raise more revenue. Rouse has not made proposals, but he education.
"Teachers must not feel the need to supplement their classroom from their own pockets," he says. "As citizens and taxpayers, it's up to us to insist that each of our children have access to a high-quality educational experience."
He favors strong partnerships with businesses to develop programs for students who go directly into the work force after graduation.
Rouse says the School Board election is breaking new ground, because it is the first for the county and none of the candidates have run for elected office. He says he has no political ambitions beyond the board.
He believes an elected School Board will give closer scrutiny to school operations than an appointed board. He believes an elected board also may put more pressure on the Board of Supervisors to provide more money for schools.
"If I am elected, I would be answering to the same voters as" Vinton Supervisor Harry Nickens, he says.
Rouse expects the elected board to be more vocal, but it might not occur immediately because the seats of Chairman Frank Thomas of Catawba and Maurice "Buck" Mitchell of Cave Spring won't be up for election until November 1995.
New members will be elected Nov.8 in the Vinton and Windsor Hills districts. Incumbent Jerry Canada is unopposed in the Hollins District.
Rouse says the full impact of an elected board won't he known until after all five seats have been filled by an election.
BOB ROUSE Vinton District
Age: 42.
Birthplace: Roanoke County.
Occupation: Realtor with Century 1 Young Realty Co.; former manager for a trucking company.
Education: Virginia Western Community College, associate degree; Radford University, bachelor's degree in political science and history.
Community activities: Roland E. Cook Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association.
No. 1 concern and goal as board member: Preserving and improving the quality of education in the county.
Last book read: a book of inspirations.
Family: Wife, Phyllis; children, Robert Kr., Cave Spring High School, and Christopher, Roland E. Cook Elementary School.
Keywords:
PROFILE POLITICS
by CNB