ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Saturday, January 18, 1997             TAG: 9701200029
SECTION: CURRENT                  PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: LISA APPLEGATE 

WILL THE SEARCH START AT HOME?

As the Montgomery County School Board begins a nationwide search for a new superintendent, some are asking "What about right here?"

And, in particular, what about Assistant Superintendent John Martin?

Martin, who has been with the school system for six years, wouldn't comment on whether his name is in the running.

But to some parents and teachers, his attributes make him an obvious choice. Martin recently earned his Ph.D. in education and has been actively searching for a superintendent position. He oversees personnel, and many employees say he can be fair and congenial.

Why spend thousands of dollars an a headhunter firm (one estimate was $20,000), some argue, for someone with little understanding of the county?

One option some School Board members have discussed is using an interim superintendent. School Board Chairwoman Annette Perkins said she thought there wasn't enough time during the last superintendent search, when Harold Dodge was replaced in 1993 by Herman Bartlett. An interim leader for six months or even a year would provide that.

Martin wouldn't comment on that possibility, either.

One other factor to note as the board begins its search: an almost-changed School Board. In November, three seats will be up for election. By December, the seats representing the towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg will be eliminated. By January 1998, a fully elected, seven-member board will represent Montgomery County.

LENGTH: Short :   36 lines