THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, July 12, 1994 TAG: 9407120002
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Opinion
SOURCE: By ROY D. NICHOLS JR.
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
Your editorial ``School reform needed'' (June 9) raised several interesting points regarding the Norfolk Public Schools' plan emphasizing academic achievement among minority and poor students. It also contained some incomplete information and faulty assumptions which candor compels me to address.
The emphasis of the editorial centered on the hiring of a new special assistant to monitor the academic achievement among minority and poor students. Readers were left with the impression that Norfolk would be adding just another costly administrative layer and conducting ``business as usual.''
Nothing could be further from the truth, if one examines the ``big picture.'' Indeed, as a result of retirements, reassignments and restructuring at the central office, the reorganization will produce a savings of $11,000 in the initial year and $55,000 in each subsequent year. This savings will result even after the salary for the new position of special assistant is paid.
The public enterprises of city governments and schools are constantly asked to do more with less. In this instance, that is exactly what Norfolk public schools are doing. The cuts and shifts in organization are designed to increase accountability and oversight. To be criticized for proposing a plan that would conserve tax dollars while at the same time ensure accountability seems incongruous. Accountability and the proper overseeing of programs are the very same goals of the privatization efforts which you support in your editorial. I find this thinking inconsistent.
The administrative reorganization is an effort to guide instructional changes which will challenge all students, regardless of their racial identity, socioeconomic status or academic ability.
The addition of the position of assistant to the superintendent for continuous improvements is but one component of a restructuring in the central school administration. The person in this position will be a part of the new Instructional Council and will provide the focus for the entire school system's efforts to challenge all students, including those from lower socioeconomic levels. Addressing that problem is critical to the future vitality of our city. It is a problem that we ignore at our peril.
The reorganization is a cost-effective plan designed to make the central office a service organization that will support the school-building personnel in their efforts to improve the delivery of educational services in the classroom. The only reason for central administration to exist is to provide services and support to the schools. I am confident that the new structure will go a long way toward ensuring that our central administration functions in the proper manner.
In summary, then, the new structure, which includes the special assistant to the superintendent, will save money, increase accountability and program oversight and improve the level of services to children in the classroom. MEMO: Mr. Nichols is superintendent of Norfolk Public Schools. by CNB