Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 28, 1995 TAG: 9504280069
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
They also believe that funding will be a major issue for city schools in the next few years, particularly when federal grants end for magnet schools.
The three candidates agreed on many points Thursday night during public interviews by City Council, but they had a different emphasis on some issues.
The greatest challenge facing the schools in the next three years will be to provide quality instructional programs for a diverse student population, said Nelson Harris, the board chairman, who is seeking reappointment.
Student diversity is becoming more pronounced as more immigrants move into the city and special groups need attention, Harris said. The number of students whose first language is not English has tripled in the past three years, he said.
Melinda Payne said the school system's toughest job in the next few years will be to raise teachers' salaries so Roanoke can remain competitive with similar cities.
"Anyone who can spend six hours a day in a classroom with more than 20 children and teach them has my respect," said Payne, New River Valley circulation manager for the Roanoke Times & World-News.
"We put a lot of responsibility on teachers. They deserve to be paid more," she said.
Martin Jeffrey said the school system's biggest challenge will be to find the necessary money to raise teachers' salaries and continue diversified programs.
But Jeffrey doesn't believe the School Board should necessarily look to City Council for more funds. Council is doing all it can within its budget constraints, he said.
Instead, he said, the board should seek other revenue sources, including contributions and volunteer services from businesses and individuals.
Jeffrey, director of community development and outreach for Total Action Against Poverty, outlined a proposal for an ambitious volunteer program that would produce $3 million a year in contributions and volunteer services for schools.
He said it was based on greater community and parental involvement in the school system, a main theme in his effort to be appointed.
"More community and parental involvement is one of the most effective ways to increase revenues, improve safety in schools and help solve other problems," Jeffrey said.
Harris, minister of Ridgewood Baptist Church, said the city's schools are safe despite incidents that led to the expulsion of a dozen students in the past two years, most for the possession of guns or other weapons, or drugs.
"We are in good shape compared to most other cities," Harris said.
Payne said the schools need to give more attention to average students. She said she is concerned about the high teen-age pregnancy rate, the high dropout rate, drugs and guns.
Jeffrey said he supports having more guidance counselors in elementary schools, saying that his three children have benefited from counselors.
by CNB