THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 7, 1995 TAG: 9505050211
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
The U.S. Senate Productivity and Quality Award to the Portsmouth Public Schools is cause for celebration across the city.
The quality of schools is important to every citizen, those with children in the schools and those who have little or no direct contact with the educational system.
The future of this city is tied directly to the quality of the schools and none of us should put down the importance of any recognition they receive based on real progress.
A lot of people covet this award - private businesses, other schools, local governments and federal agencies. Most of all, they covet the results of the efforts that earn the recognition.
Granted, total quality management and continuous improvement are 1990s buzz words. But the concepts have worked for some mighty big companies.
The Portsmouth Public Schools became involved in the process in 1990 after ``The City of the Future'' summit. The ideas failed to ignite in parts of city hall, but took off in the schools. School Board Chairman Tommy Benn, who learned about TQM at his shipyard job, has been a prime promoter of the schools' involvement.
By involving parents, as well as students, faculty and staff, in the process, the schools are beginning to overcome apathy and other negative influences in the community.
Still many citizens do not understand that something important is going on here. As Superintendent Richard Trumble said, it's not a big thing all at once but rather a slow evolution that is taking place in the schools.
A citizens committee is putting together a plan to celebrate the award. They need to involve all citizens of this city to impress upon them the importance of the steps the schools have taken.
People whose kids now attend private schools have no way of knowing what is going on and they are the most important market the schools must reach right now. They must be convinced to send their children back to the public schools.
Ditto for citizens whose children are grown or who have no children but whose support for the schools is very important, especially when budget time rolls around.
The celebration of the Productivity and Quality Award must be so inclusive that it touches those outside the system if winning is going to have maximum impact on the city. by CNB