ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Sunday, September 1, 1996              TAG: 9609030007
SECTION: CURRENT                  PAGE: NRV2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
                                             TYPE: LETTER 

REASSIGNMENT SPARKS OUTRAGE ON BEHALF OF MEMBERS OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY, MEMBERS OF THE NAACP AND OTHER PROGRESSIVE-MINDED INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THIS COUNTY, WE WANT TO EXPRESS OUR OUTRAGE WITH THE RECENT ADMINISTRATIVE MOVE WITHIN THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM INVOLVING ONE OF THE MOST RESPECTED LEADERS OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY, LENNY SESSION. SUPERINTENDENT [HERMAN BARTLETT] REMOVED HIM AS ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT BLACKSBURG MIDDLE SCHOOL TO A POSITION NEWLY CREATED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD ON AUG. 12. AN ARTICLE IN THE CURRENT DESCRIBED IT AS "AN ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL POSITION THAT WOULD FOCUS ON DROPOUT PREVENTION AND RETURNING DROPOUTS TO SCHOOL."

We understand that he did not seek this position, have any input in its creation, nor does he have specific training for the position. He was put in the position by the central office administration without any choice. Those who know Session or have worked with him know he is well respected for his leadership abilities, dedication to his profession and his commitment to kids. He is one of the best administrators this county has ever had.

We view this action as just another attempt to restrain advancements of our most able leaders in the black community. The black community now has no black administrator in any school - neither principals nor assistant principals within the entire Montgomery County School system. A child could attend any school within the country from K-12 and never see a black administrator as a respected authority figure.

This move returns this county to the 1960s era before the integration of schools. For approximately 25 years after integration, this county had only one black assistant principal. We now have none again.

Is this evidence that this county has not progressed but reverted to previous dark times in history? We demand that we be given the equal opportunity that is a basic right. We demand that qualified blacks be put in positions of authority and respected to help provide leadership in this county. We demand that the superintendent and central office administrators hire as well as promote qualified blacks within this county. We only have a handful of black teachers. We demand our fair share and believe we have not advanced under the leadership of this present administration. It has long been time for a change as is evident by the numerous problems that are going on all over the Montgomery County School system. Let us not step back into the dark past but move forward to a brighter and more progressive future.

Marie J. Morgan, Nan Hairston and the Rev. John Price

Christiansburg

Frog Pond visit was worth extra buck

I was shocked when I visited the new Montgomery County Pool and had to pay for my 8-week-old baby to get in. I commented to the girl taking up the money that I thought it ridiculous to have to pay for her when all she would be doing was sleeping in her stroller. But, the more I thought about the extra dollar, the more my attitude changed.

I had taken my two boys to a pool in another New River Valley community several times, and almost every time we were there we had to hear vulgar language from young teen-agers. They shared cigarettes while they talked about drugs. These teens didn't care who heard them. We even witnessed fights among them. I don't want my children in this atmosphere.

The Montgomery County pool seems to be family oriented. I saw teen-agers at the Montgomery County pool, but they weren't yelling at each other or fighting or talking about drugs. So, I will gladly pay the extra dollar and be thankful my children have a nice place to have fun during the summer.

Sherri Vaughn

Christiansburg

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