THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 24, 1995 TAG: 9509240035
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JON GLASS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
City school officials on Saturday promised a more open and honest dialogue with residents as they embark this year on an ambitious effort to raise student achievement and community involvement.
School Board Chairman Ulysses Turner told more than 200 people at a citizens forum that accountability is the new buzzword.
That's just fine with Anthony Tucker, the father of children in two city schools. He said that's why he showed up for a meeting on a wet, chilly weekend morning.
``Accountability is big for me,'' Tucker said. ``I want to make sure they're going to stand up and do what they say they are.''
The meeting at Ruffner Middle School was sponsored by Mayor Paul Fraim as a way to ``create a healthier environment for political discourse,'' Fraim said. It was the third in a series of four ``citizen workshops'' to bring people closer to government.
The three-hour forum resembled a conversation. School Board and administration officials presented information about the $188 million operating budget and other programs and responded to questions and statements from residents.
Several civic league leaders called for more alternative programs to keep off the street kids who have been suspended or expelled.
Several parents called for more technology in the schools, while others voiced concern about aging buildings - the average age is 43 years - and the reliance on mobile classrooms.
School Board member Joseph T. Waldo said money is a limiting factor: Computers, air conditioning and building improvements are expensive.
Much of the $31 million set aside for capital needs through the year 2000 will go to one project - renovating and expanding Granby High.
But Waldo said he expects that all city schools will be air-conditioned within the next two years using savings. He said, for example, the School Board will save $1.8 million by renegotiating a private contract for custodial services.
Waldo said more than 130 mobile classrooms are in use - equal to five average-sized elementary schools. About 16 percent of the city's elementary pupils are housed in them.
On another front, student uniforms are proving popular with parents. Ruffner students began wearing uniforms this year, and principals at four other city schools are interested.
``I say, `amen,' we do need a dress code,'' said Cassandra Person, a parent with children at Maury High and Granby Elementary.
Many parents voiced support of the school system and said they were satisfied with its direction over the past few years. Several said money should not stand in the way of their children's education.
``Please do not put my child's education on the lowest bid,'' said Sandra Mills, who said spending for schools is more important than a tax cut.
``I don't mind paying an extra penny of tax to see that our schools can be the best,'' said Horace Downing, president of the Beacon Light Civic League.
Educators said they were gratified by the turnout.
``I'm elated,'' said Shirley George, president of the Education Association of Norfolk, a teachers' group. ``When you have people with genuine concerns who are parents and taxpayers speaking out - that's the American way. It moves us forward, it gets things done, and that will flow through to our children.'' by CNB