THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 3, 1995 TAG: 9512020159
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 17 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: WHO WILL LEAD OUR SCHOOLS?
SOURCE: PROFILES BY ELIZABETH THIEL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
Michael Woods was on the fast track to a college education after high school, with a scholarship for wrestling to the University of Richmond.
But when the university cut back on the number of scholarships it offered during his second year, he had to quit school, get a job and settle in for a long trip toward an education.
It took him more than a decade to finish. But it was an interesting journey.
Woods joined the Norfolk police force at age 19. He worked his way up from patrol officer to canine officer to vice narcotics detective. Then he was promoted to corporal.
While he was cleaning the streets of drug dealers, he was cleaning up in college. He maintained a 3.8 grade point average, even though he had to attend classes after his regular police shifts.
He thought he'd be satisfied with a bachelor's degree and a career with the police, until a traumatic incident changed his mind.
He was forced to shoot and kill a shoplifter who was wielding a gun.
``I was totally right in what I did, but it still bothers me,'' he said. He decided to swing his career into a less violent part of the justice system.
He went to law school in Ohio, commuting back and forth to see his wife in Hampton Roads for three years. He passed the bar exam on his first try.
``I've done it the hard way,'' he said. ``I would advise everyone else to do it the easy way. Stick their noses to the grindstone while they're young.''
Now that he's getting settled into his new life, he feels it's his duty to make a contribution to his community.
Woods would like to see Chesapeake's students prepared either to go to college or to go to work. General diplomas, he said, are worthless.
``When people leave the Chesapeake school system, I want them to have an education that will allow them to choose what they want to do,'' he said.
Students who do select college should not have to take remedial courses once they get there, he said.
He also has seen evidence that civility is eroding in schools - major signs like students not taking on community service projects, or minor symptoms like kids wearing hats at athletic games.
Somehow, schools should encourage kids to serve the community.
``And I don't mean anything fanatical,'' he said. ``But I think it's something that needs to be incorporated, helping to build students' self-esteem and their pride in their community.''
Michael J. Woods
Age: 39
Occupation: Attorney
Born: Philadelphia, Pa.
Years in Chesapeake: More than 25
Residence: Western Branch
Family: Wife, Nancy; son, Steven, 15; stepchildren, Karen, 13, Matthew, 18
Education: Associate's degree in police science, Tidewater Community College, 1978; bachelor's degree, St. Leo College, Little Creek Amphibious Base, 1989; law degree, University of Dayton, Ohio, 1992;
Community Service: Member, Chesapeake Youth Committee; liaison to the Chesapeake Council on Youth Services; member, subcommittee for Mayor's Youth Day; board of trustees member, Camp Civitan Triple C Lodge; secretary, Norfolk Civitan Club; vice president, River Bend Civic League; sponsor, Deep Creek Ruritan annual picnic; sponsor, Deep Creek High football athletic program; member, Norfolk Portsmouth Bar Association, Virginia State Bar Association; board member, Lawyer Referral Service
Official endorsements: Chesapeake Young Republicans
How to reach: home, 488-5811; work, 455-8700
Major campaign issues: Promoting school safety; teaching basic and marketable skills; restoring a sense of civility to schools ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MORT FRYMAN
A lawyer, Michael Woods was once a police officer.
KEYWORDS: CHESAPEAKE SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION CANDIDATES CHESAPEAKE SCHOOLS
PROFILE by CNB