ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, August 13, 1996 TAG: 9608130085
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: LISA APPLEGATE STAFF WRITER
Why fix something that isn't broken?
That's what the 30 parents and teachers from the Riner area wanted to know Monday night when they converged on a Montgomery County School Board meeting.
The group delivered a petition with more than 500 signatures protesting the decision to replace Keith Rowland as principal once the new Riner elementary school is completed. Rowland has served as principal for the present Riner school for five years, and parents say he has turned the school around.
With this protest comes not only another glitch in a school-building project laden with problems, but also direct criticism of Superintendent Herman Bartlett.
Last week, Rowland sent a letter to school faculty announcing that Jeff Perry, principal of nearby Bethel Elementary, would lead the new school.
Bethel students are scheduled to go to the new Riner school, which is expected to be completed in two years, though many Bethel parents have protested closing what they view as an essential part of their community.
That, plus the months of controversy over the purchase of 40 acres from a Riner farmer for the school, has made the building process difficult for administrators and the School Board.
Now, parents and teachers say they want to see Rowland continue as principal and wonder whether the selection process was fair.
Riner parent Velma Barker said she and other parents were not against Perry.
"He would do a good job, but I just believe this particular position was meant for Rowland," she said. "I believe, had this been under a different administration, it would have turned out differently."
Technically, the Montgomery County School Board must approve Bartlett's recommendation before Perry becomes the new principal. The board will not discuss the matter until its meeting Aug.20.
Barker and others at Monday's meeting said Bartlett wanted Perry from the outset, and announced the appointment early to force the board to accept it.
Bartlett said Perry was chosen like any other principal under his administration: by committee consensus. Those considering the Riner appointment included Parent-Teacher Association presidents from Bethel and Riner, the principal from Price's Fork Elementary, a teacher from Kipps Elementary, both assistant superintendents, and Bartlett.
"I feel the process gives parents and teachers an opportunity to give input," Bartlett said.
Bartlett said six people were interviewed for the position. He wanted the committee to make a decision early so that programs and staff can be developed while the school is being built.
Parent Linda Owen said Rowland has made so many improvements in the school since he arrived, she can't imagine Riner without him. She cited improved test scores and student attendance as evidence of his ability.
``Rowland knows every student in the school. He dresses up as `Zero the Hero' and jumps out of the closet for the kindergartners,'' she said. ``Volunteerism is up because parents enjoy being there. Why would we want to lose someone like that in our school system?''
LENGTH: Medium: 61 linesby CNB