ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, April 13, 1997 TAG: 9704110005
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
Teachers' concerns have been ignored
IN THE March 30-31 series (``Disorder in the schools'') on discipline and violence in area school divisions, Roanoke City School Board Chairwoman Marsha Ellison and school Superintendent Wayne Harris suggested that the Roanoke Education Association was the only source for the view that educators are not supported on discipline issues by city school administrators.
Ellison went so far as to say that the REA made things sound worse than they are.
I find that comment interesting since none of the information for the series was furnished by the association. And even though the REA has asked on various occasions to be allowed to present information concerning discipline, this issue has been dismissed as irrelevant by the School Board.
A few facts: Many educators have told the REA that they are not supported on discipline. Also, a 1996 survey by the REA showed that about 60 percent of respondents didn't believe they were adequately supported on discipline issues.
The teacher often isn't believed when an accusation regarding discipline is made by a student or parent. Educators are routinely ``written up'' or censored without a thorough investigation into a discipline complaint.
The REA has several times proposed to School Board members that a board-appointed study committee look at discipline, violence and the education climate in our schools. Harris, Ellison and other board members have chosen to ignore or minimize the importance of REA data and proposals.
Our children must be educated in an environment where teachers can teach and children can learn. Implementation of discipline in a manner not supportive of educators gives students and parents the wrong message. City schools owe it to their staff, the children and the community to pay attention to educators' serious concerns about discipline matters.
ESTHER BOND CIRASUNDA
President
Roanoke Education Association
ROANOKE
Buggy systems discourage use
DOUG MARTIN (March 17 letter to the editor, ``Students need to train on IBM'') made a case that students, kindergarten through 12th grade, "need to train on IBM.'' As an educator, I disagree.
I've worked extensively with Intel microprocessors, IBM personal computers, and Microsoft operating systems since 1975. During the past several months, I've removed audio cards from both Micron Millenna and IBM 750 pentium machines because of IRQ conflicts with an installed Ethernet board. I've used a Macintosh Quadra since 1993 and have enrolled in a Macintosh III advanced class at the 1997 Faculty Development Institute at Virginia Tech.
What is the problem with an IBM-class computer for use in kindergarten through 12th grade? I believe it is a buggy Windows 95 operating system, which certainly isn't ready for widespread use by students or teachers, especially those whose preparation time is limited.
If an IBM PC is desired, I recommend the Windows 3.11 and DOS operating systems. Both are robust, tested and relatively problem-free. Unfortunately, Microsoft, in its supremely perverted wisdom, has decided to discontinue Windows 3.11 on new PCs. Thus, teachers would be forced to contend with IRQ conflicts and problems that I experience with Windows 95 systems. In my opinion, Apples are easier to use for multimedia applications.
The key issue for students is the ease of using a personal computer. If an operating system is buggy, a teacher is less likely to spend time using it. Less time by a teacher translates into decreased use by students.
PETER RONY
BLACKSBURG
Republicans are not responsible lawmakers
ALTHOUGH I enjoyed Don M. Kotchish's letter to the editor on Social Security (March 18, ``Stop raiding Social Security's trust fund''), it fell woefully short on placing blame.
He asserts that the problem began in the early 1980s. In reality, it took on epidemic proportions during the liberal, borrow-and-spend Republican administration led by ``Teflon Ron,'' who rewarded his well-heeled contributors with questionable deregulation rulings.
Another casualty of this policy is the abominable national debt that Newt Gingrich and his crew of I've-got-mine, to-hell-with-you thieves want to eliminate at the expense of the poor and elderly.
Our quirky electoral system, which rewards only high-powered lobbyists, can be solved only by sending responsible candidates to represent us. No Republican meets this qualification.
LLOYD M. HOLFIELD
ROANOKE
City's sights delight visitors
I WOULD like to comment about your beautiful city. I've had the pleasure of visiting Roanoke several times, and am always moved by the beauty of the mountains. Being from Racine, Wis., we do not have the pleasure of looking out a window and seeing a mountain.
Also, your city offers so many fine restaurants and shopping opportunities. We always have a wonderful time visiting all your areas of interest, and there are many - from the City Market to the many antique shops.
I always look forward to a visit to Roanoke and want to say thank you for a great city. And now I can check out all you have to offer on the Internet. How great!
NIKKI BENN
RACINE, WI
Pranksters' victims were not amused
I WAS ONE of 200 people who attended the open set call for ``Bull Durham II'' on April 1. I realize many people may think that those who were duped by radio station WROV should just forget it. But I am still perturbed that I, a person of reasonable intelligence, fell victim to this hoax.
The headline (April 2 news article, ``Fans still cheer after April Fools' joke'') that accompanied the photograph, which included me, wasn't accurate. We certainly didn't cheer after we found out that this was a setup. The photograph was taken when we were under the assumption that it was a casting call where we had the chance to be discovered by Kevin Costner.
I drove 110 miles from Emory & Henry College to participate. I skipped an afternoon class, and my boss covered for me so that I could attend.
I am a senior studying mass communications, and I know that many people already distrust the mass media. What I don't understand is why a radio station would deliberately deceive its listeners. Aren't those listeners the ones who support the station financially by buying the products it advertises, thus allowing it to sell advertising time based on the number of listeners it has?
I called WROV's station manager, Joe Conway, about the hoax. His response was that I was carrying it a little too far. It was his station that carried a hoax too far. Listeners should be more valuable to him than accomplishing a great April Fools' joke.
J.D. UNDERWOOD
MARION
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