ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, February 22, 1997 TAG: 9702240029
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
We asked readers what characteristics they'd like to see in a new Montgomery County school superintendent. Here's what some of them had to say:
* The new Montgomery County school superintendent ought to come from within the school system for a change. This person should have excellent communication skills and be accessible to the citizens of the county. In addition, we need someone with traditional Southern values and a great appreciation for our inherited traditions and culture. They must be thick-skinned enough to stomach the forces of political correctness and partisan politics.
- Debbie L. Carlson
* A woman please! It would be nice to have a role model for the women of this area.
- Jody Booze-Daniels
*An educator who understands that the current system is not meeting the needs of our business community and is willing to begin making changes.
- Tom Dreyer
* Yes, the job of the superintendent is a tough job. But I wonder why we have never taken a serious look at our School Board members. We need to give the superintendent enough time to at least know what direction the school system needs to go. Dealing with nine members of the School Board is like a Chinese fire drill - everyone going in different directions.
- Marty Childress
* He should know how to bring ethnic groups together and cultivate the most cordial and friendly relations, rather than become bitter toward each other.
- Alvin R. Humes
* It is vitally important that we have someone who is in favor of a good solid arts program. It is proven that children exposed to the arts, beginning at an early age and throughout their school years, are more successful in all fields.
- Candace Springer
* I would like to see Montgomery County evaluate some of our well-educated principals or some other members of the local teaching staff. It seems they would have a better insight into the needs of our area.
- Jackie Griffith
* Pick your worst teacher and get him out of the classroom where he can do no damage and make him the superintendent.
- Thomas Lee Cook
* The superintendent needs to have a personal interest in our schools. The superintendent should be from the local area if at all possible. Having children of their own in the schools, I think would be very good.
- Geraldine Keith
* A known quantity with the ability to heal the wounds caused by the choices of land sites and principals by the School Board. A person that will get on with the business of education. John Martin is such a person.
- Kitty Brennan
* 1. Be able to understand and work with a diverse community which includes the highly professional community of Blacksburg and the lesser professional community of such areas as Shawsville.
2. Be able to work with a Board of Supervisors that represents and includes backgrounds that match the communities mentioned in item 1.
3. Be able to work with a School Board that represents and includes similar backgrounds.
4. Must have as the top priority the accountability of School Board staff, teachers and especially students. Teachers must be able to fulfill their assignments.
- Dolores Grapsas
LENGTH: Medium: 68 linesby CNB