ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, April 28, 1996 TAG: 9604300065
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
For Mayor: David Bowers\Democrat, Pat Green\Republican.
For three four-year seats: David Lisk\Republican, Alvin Nash\Republican, Joseph Nash\Independent, Carroll Swain\Democrat, Jim Trout\Democrat, Linda Wyatt\Democrat.<
For two-year seat: Jeff Artis\Republican, Nelson Harris\Democrat.
What, if anything, should school officials do to improve vocational education? Be specific.
David Bowers (D):``Roanoke city schools' vocation education has improved greatly over the last few years. The Noel C. Taylor Learning Academy is an excellent example of our school system reaching out to provide quality education for all our students.''
Pat Green (R): ``Teach students that vocational education is honorable ... Show that there is a true need for skilled labor. We need more classes. Maybe Roanoke needs a vocational school in downtown next to the NS Building.''
David Lisk (R):``School officials should re-evaluate the need for one full-time vocational and technical high school for the valley by proposing to county officials the advisability of joint efforts in utilizing Arnold Burton School as a valley-wide vocational and technical high school.''
Alvin Nash (R):``I think a strong vocational program will help reduce the drop-out rate ... I would ask school officials to pilot a program using loaned executives to teach vocational trades.'' Meanwhile, says city should measure ``the effectiveness of the program on behavior and performance of students.''
Joseph Nash (I):Says vocational education programs are ``a necessity we cannot ignore.'' Praises Roanoke's ``New Horizons'' program. Says ``working together with business and industry is an area that will become more important as newer and more complex technology is developed.''
Carroll Swain (D):``I would support the School Board if it decided to move forward on a plan for enhanced vocational-occupational training for our children. Such a plan, however, is for the School Board to devise, but I can imagine some form of public/private partnership being involved in its conception.''
Jim Trout (D):``I would support the School Board should it request funding for vocational and educational programs developed with an input from the public and business community.''
Linda Wyatt (D):``The key to improving vocational education is adequate resources, such as well-trained teachers, up-to-date equipment and materials that result in a quality program.'' Also says community and schools should ``honor those professions that are vocational in nature.''
Jeff Artis (R): ``We must revolutionize vocational education to bring about a state of the art vocational program similar to what is being practiced in Europe, particularly in Germany. I feel this is the key to addressing the root causes of absenteeism, truancy and the dropout rate.''
Nelson Harris (D):The School Board chairman says schools already are improving vocational education. ``For example, two years ago health occupation courses were added to the curriculum to prepare students for the fastest-growing employment market in the valley. Total vocational enrollment is up by 200.
What specific proposals do you have for addressing concerns that schools cater to the brightest students but don't give enough attention to average students?
David Bowers (D):Says the current School Board has emphasized better education for ``average students.''
Pat Green (R):``Encourage the School Board to make sure that all students are important. Council should visit as many schools as possible each year. Give students good role models to look up to.''
David Lisk (R):``If this is indeed a fact, then council needs to discuss the concern with the School Board and direct them to develop a plan of action.'' Says he doubts problems are widespread. ``Publicity of school programs may have created this idea.''
Alvin Nash (R): ``There should not be `two classes' of students, only equal opportunity for those who study hard and stay in school. I think teachers are taking good care of our students. City Council should take no action on this issue.''
Joseph Nash (I):Says problem isn't students' intelligence, but motivation. Supports mandatory uniforms. ``Uniforms will install a sense of discipline in students and allow for less distractions due to the daily `fashion show' that now takes place.'' Says in Norfolk this boosted number of honor students by 20 percent.
Carroll Swain (D):``Specific proposals should originate from the School Board and the school administration with maximum input from parents and teachers.''
Jim Trout (D):``The School Board and the school administration, with input from parents and teachers, should be in concert on any proposals before presenting them to council.''
Linda Wyatt (D):Says lowering teacher-student ratio, which city has already done in primary grades, is the key. ``As a primary teacher, I can see the world of difference in the amount of time I am able to devote to each child, regardless of their specific needs. I would like to see this expanded to all elementary grades.''
Jeff Artis (R):``We must first end assembly line education in Roanoke.'' Says system wrongly assumes some students can't learn. ``We must base our educational system on one simple rule: 'If Johnny masters the work, he passes. If he doesn't, he fails.' If Johnny is 16 and still in the 8th grade, so be it.''
Nelson Harris (D):``While this may be the perception of some, the data does not show this to be the case.'' Says only 3 percent of school budget goes to gifted programs, which enroll 12 percent of the students. City spends more on special ed and alternative ed programs than on gifted.
Would you vote for funds to hire more teachers and/or to provide for teacher planning periods in elementary schools? Why or why not?
David Bowers (D):``Yes. In fact, the teacher-pupil ratio in Roanoke is 18 to 1, well below the state's 25-1 requirement. I have consistently voted to hire new teachers to reduce the teacher/pupil ratio. Also, I am in favor of teacher planning periods in elementary schools, and this is already being phased in.''
Pat Green (R):``The School Board should always ask for and make sure the ratio of teacher-to student is correct.''
David Lisk (R):``I would first suggest that the School Board review their budget when prioritizing their needs to ascertain whether other needs might not be as pressing as these. To maintain the smaller pupil-teacher ratio might require additional teachers who maybe require more funds.''
Alvin Nash (R): ``In order to vote for funds to hire more teachers or provide more planning periods, I would have to hear a strong presentation from the school administration or the School Board. My instincts tell me this is more of an internal policy issue and unless there are unusual circumstances I do not think city council should support the School Board.''
Joseph Nash (I):``More qualified teachers, more planning time, smaller class size, more parental involvement are all required to meet the educational goals I would like to set.''
Carroll Swain (D):``This is something that the School Board would have to present to council for consideration. Generally, the council has supported full funding for School Board budget requests, and, if reasonable, I don't see why that would change.''
Jim Trout (D):``Yes, if revenues remain in place, I would vote to fund such a School Board plan.''
Linda Wyatt (D):``As a second grade teacher that works for the Roanoke City Public School System, I can think of nothing that would help me improve my teaching more than time to plan what I teach.'' Notes as council member, she'd have to abstain from any vote.
Jeff Artis (R):``Yes. They need it. Not to support this measure amounts to educational negligence.''
Nelson Harris (D):Says as School Board member he's supported both. Says schools already have reduced pupil-teacher ratio in lower grades to 18-1, ``far below the state requirement of 25-1.'' Notes that schools' '96-'97 budget calls for planning time at four elementary schools.
Would you vote to fund the School Board's plan to raise teacher salaries to the national average in three years? Why or why not?
David Bowers (D):``Yes, I am in favor of the School Board's plan to raise teacher salaries to the national average by the year 2000. In fact, the first year of phasing this goal in is included in the '96-'97 budget, and I'll support it.''
Pat Green (R):``Yes. We must pay equal to or greater than the national average to keep the best teachers for our students at all times.''
David Lisk (R):``If the School Board made this recommendation and other funds were unvailable, I would call for a referendum to allow our taxpayers to make the decision.''
Alvin Nash (R):Says if it's financially possible to increase teacher salaries to the national average, he'll support it. If not, ``then we come as close as possible.''
Joseph Nash (I):``Teacher pay should not only be brought up to the national average, but I would like to see it exceed the average. A proposed 6-7 percent increase over the next three years is not enough. An 8.5-10 percent increase would be fair.''
Carroll Swain (D):``I am supportive of the plan as I understand it.''
Jim Trout (D):``Yes. If revenues remain in place, I would vote to fund such a School Board plan.''
Linda Wyatt (D):``If we want our students to be the best and the brightest, we need to be able to attract the best and brightest to teach them. Business and industry has known this forever.'' Notes that, as a teacher, she'd have to abstain from voting.
Jeff Artis (R):``Yes. In fact, there is no good reason why this should not have already been done. ... One reason why Roanoke city schools lose qualified people each year is because teachers can make more money elsewhere and with less hassles. I am an example of this.''
Nelson Harris (D):Says he's supported this as a School Board member. ``One should note that Roanoke city was able to implement year one of this three-year phase-in without asking city council for additional funds.''
What should the schools do to ensure a balance between educational basics and technological know-how? Be specific.
David Bowers (D):``We must make sure that Roanoke City Schools provide for all of our students a good balance between educational basics and technological skills.'' Says the school system is attempting to do this.
Pat Green (R):``The School Board must make sure that the basics are always taught first. The equipment to meet the technological changes must also be met. The problem is the speed of change. When do you buy?!''
David Lisk (R): ``The School Board should make these decisions in accordance with data provided by the school administration to the extent that they can afford and in keeping with the state mandates.''
Alvin Nash (R):``I believe educational basics serves as the `cake' of learning and technological know-how is the `icing.' I trust the school administration and the School Board to understand a proper relationship and reflect as much in the school curriculum.''
Joseph Nash (I):Supports city schools' ``New Horizons'' program. ``Implementation of this and others like it are a necessity that we cannot ignore. Working together with business and industry is an area that will become more important as newer and more complex technology is developed.''
Carroll Swain (D):``I will be supportive of School Board initiatives that ensure a balance between the two but, again, those proposals must originate from the School Board, school administration, parents and teachers.''
Jim Trout (D):Says there should be a balance, ``probably weighted to the basics.'' Says he's ``not going to suggest that I know more about how to achieve this than the people who work in our education system, and would want to hear their suggestions and recommendations.''
Linda Wyatt (D):``There is no reason why these two should come into conflict. On the contrary, many educators are now using one to enhance the other. There is a wealth of computer software designed to help with instruction of the basic skills.''
Jeff Artis (R):``Everyone wants to talk about putting a computer in the classroom. Well, if Johnny can't read, how can we expect Johnny to run a computer? ... We must have basics, then high tech.''
Nelson Harris (D):``I beieve our public schools must always stress the basics. We must also recognize the technological revolution which is occurring in our society. Students should leave Roanoke City Schools well-versed in educational basics and with the technological skills necessary.''
LENGTH: Long : 215 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: all 10. color. KEYWORDS: POLITICS CITY COUNCIL MAYORby CNB