THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 7, 1994 TAG: 9406070344
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: D3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY VANEE STAUNTON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940607 LENGTH: PORTSMOUTH
They talked of cutting red tape and pumping more money into building renovations, teacher training and instruction. And they tried to ease workers' fears that they would lose their jobs.
{REST} But representatives of four for-profit companies that hope to manage several city schools failed to convert their critics Monday at a community forum at Woodrow Wilson High School.
``I'm not against progress, but I know we can make effective changes with the expertise that we already have,'' said Carlton M. Carrington, president of the United Civic League of Cavalier Manor. ``This would be abandonment.''
A second forum scheduled for Monday evening was postponed to 7 p.m. today because of a power failure at the school.
The companies are Zeiders Enterprises Inc. and Public Educational Services Inc., both based in Woodbridge, and two others that have gained national attention - The Edison Project and Education Alternatives Inc.
They want to take over management of four elementary schools and one middle school as part of Superintendent Richard D. Trumble's push to experiment with ways to run schools more efficiently and build greater accountability for student achievement.
Company officials offered a glimpse of some of the key ingredients in their proposals. Among some of the common themes:
Teachers would be paired with classroom assistants and offered better training.
Some work, such as accounting services, would be farmed out if doing so could save money without sacrificing quality.
Students would be nudged toward extended programs before or after school, or during the summer, and given individual attention and support needed to meet higher standards.
All of the companies stressed direct accountability to the School Board.
``If we don't do it, then you need to fire us,'' said Robert Crosby of Public Educational Services Inc.
A cross section of city residents - including NAACP and labor leaders, teachers and a small opposition group of parents - is fighting all privatization efforts.
These critics acknowledge that a persistent achievement gap between white and black students, and low test scores overall, are cause enough for a change. But the answer, they say, is something other than privatization.
``This is bull,'' school activist Helen Sasser said after the morning forum. ``There's nothing special about any of it.''
Trumble expects the board to vote on a proposal by June 30. The companies will make more-detailed presentations at a 7 p.m. public meeting Wednesday at I.C. Norcom High School.
{KEYWORDS} EDUCATION PRIVATIZATION PORTSMOUTH SCHOOLS
by CNB