THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 24, 1995 TAG: 9508240503
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PERRY PARKS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Medium: 99 lines
The governor was coming in 10 minutes, but you couldn't really tell.
Lots of local bigwigs hovered anxiously, shaking hands and exchanging hellos. A few photographers checked their equipment.
But you could hear a pin drop in P.W. Moore Elementary School.
A class of children lined up in the hall without a word. Another group worked quietly in a classroom near the front doors.
It was the first day of school at one of the best schools in the state, and everyone was already down to business.
At 10:20 a.m., a voice on the intercom sweetly but firmly directed teachers to bring their students outside to welcome Gov. James B. Hunt Jr., who was completing a three-day swing through eastern North Carolina.
``Have we been notified?'' district School-Community Relations Director Charles White asked Principal Linwood Williams, who affirmed that the governor was on his way.
``Let's rock and roll,'' White said.
Williams held open the door, coaxing nearly 500 children as they walked single-file from the school and assembled on two sides of a cement triangle facing the building.
Then two of the most powerful men in the state arrived.
Hunt thanked tiny, bow-tie-clad kindergartner Travone Lumsden for a welcoming basket and then introduced Manteo Democrat Marc Basnight.
``This is the president,'' Hunt half-joked of Basnight, president pro tem of the state Senate. ``I'm the governor, he's the president.''
Hunt's day in Elizabeth City, which included the school visit and lunch with 200 members of the Chamber of Commerce, was part politicking, part information-sharing and part pep rally.
In a closely choreographed welcome and school tour, Hunt and Basnight lavished each other with compliments, made sure to tell students that they had lowered first-grade class sizes this year and eagerly gathered up kids for photo opportunities.
Joined by 1st District state Rep. W.C. ``Bill'' Owens Jr. and a host of local officials, Hunt whisked through a couple of classrooms and heard from teachers about the technology innovations that earned P.W. Moore a governor's Entrepreneurial School designation last year.He slowed down for an education forum in the school's media center.
Billed as a ``town meeting'' to let citizens weigh in education concerns, the 50-minute discussion was primarily among officials at the head table.
Few of the 70 or so parents, students and educators who attended spoke out at the session, but they listened with interest as Hunt, Owens, Basnight and Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Schools Superintendent Joseph Peel discussed priorities.
Hunt, who is constantly pushing his after-school program - SOS - and his early intervention initiative - Smart Start - praised Pasquotank County for its efforts on both. And he touched on ways the Pasquotank Schools are changing how students are taught and tested, to make them more competitive in the real world.
``It's just like business,'' Hunt said. ``If you sell a product, you've got to guarantee it. We've got to do the same thing in the schools, folks.''
Peel, asked how the state can best help the schools, said government officials need to spread the message that children are being trained for a world that has changed since their parents grew up. Education has to meet new challenges, he said..
Among the citizens to comment at the forum was P.W. Moore PTA President Dale Smith, who said parental involvement was crucial to improving schools.
``We can't do that from Raleigh,'' responded Hunt, who asked for suggestions on boosting parental activity. ``This matter of parent involvement is one of the biggest things, and the toughest to figure out.''
Hunt closed the session by praising local residents and officials for their efforts in education.
``I can remember a time when folks might have considered this area to be a little behind in education,'' he said. ``Today . . . you all here are on the cutting edge in North Carolina.''
About an hour later, the governor addressed Elizabeth City Area Chamber of Commerce members at the K.E. White Graduate Center.
Repeating his education themes and talking about crime control and welfare reform, Hunt urged community members to work together to make things happen.
``There are enough good people in this county that you could put a volunteer with every kid who's heading off on the wrong track,'' Hunt said.
``Folks, we can do it. We're on the way. In North Carolina, we can do very special things when we work together.'' ILLUSTRATION: GOVERNOR PAYS A VISIT
VICKI CRONIS
Staff
[Color Photo]
Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. waves to children during his visit to P.W.
Moore Elementary School in Elizabeth City on Wednesday. The governor
visited with students and took part in a forum on education issues.
He is holding a welcome banner made for him.
VICKI CRONIS
Staff
Hunt talks to sixth-graders at P.W. Moore Elementary School. It was
the students' first day back in the classroom.
by CNB