Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 6, 1995 TAG: 9505080083
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
"I skimmed the first page," said Harris, chairman of the city School Board. "Some of it I could read, and some I could not because it was illegible. The handwriting was not that good."
Harris said the report by the city's former school superintendent was unprofessional.
"Given that he is receiving $35,000 a year, a handwritten report is not acceptable," Harris said.
So Harris sent it back, telling Tota he would have to submit a typed report if he wanted his annual consulting fee.
The report was required under Tota's controversial seven-year, early retirement contract, which calls for him to perform professional services of an advisory or consultative nature for 20 days a year for $35,000.
The School Board asked the former superintendent to research the availability of funds to continue Roanoke's magnet school programs after the end of federal grants.
Tota, now school superintendent in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., did not return phone calls Friday to comment on Harris' decision. When Tota came to Roanoke recently and gave the report to Vice Chairman Marilyn Curtis, Harris was out of town.
"When it comes back in a professional format," Harris said, "I will distribute it to other board members, and we will decide then if it is acceptable."
by CNB