THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 7, 1995 TAG: 9505050221
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 43 lines
As a taxpayer and patron of the Virginia Beach public schools, I applaud the recent appointment of our newest School Board members, Mrs. Karen O'Brien and Mr. Donald Bennis. I have been and will continue to be wary of those who immediately condemn and criticize or who offer pat solutions to the challenges facing our school division. I appreciate those who express a willingness to watch, study and learn so that expertise can be developed enabling them to make thoughtful and intelligent decisions. I received Mrs. O'Brien's and Mr. Bennis's comments in this spirit.
In response to ``Judges' selections not the best for School Board seats'' (letter, April 21), it is easy, I am sure, to think that many tenets which apply to the corporate world could be easily and successfully applied to the running of our city's schools. Although I am not attempting to demean the seriousness of closely scrutinizing expenditures, I simply cannot imagine that those rules and regulations which would apply to MBAs could easily and consistently be applied to our children. Those who wish to equate the school division's efforts to that of a corporation must not forget that schools are the only industry whose product is children.
Perhaps the critics with expertise in corporate policy development, and monitoring policy and large budgets, would be better suited for service in Congress or the legislature where they could begin untying some of the red tape. Endless federal and state mandates may choke the life and effectiveness out of local school boards.
I tend to prefer the quiet integrity and parental expertise which Mrs. O'Brien and Mr. Bennis bring with them, and I feel that their decisions will reflect the best interest of all of Virginia Beach's children. I wish them well with their mission.
Arthur Taylor
Green Hill Farms by CNB