THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 13, 1995 TAG: 9512120103
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY ALETA PAYNE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 90 lines
THE SCHOOL BOARD has requested an extension from the State Board of Education that would allow the district to continue the search for a new superintendent, if necessary, beyond the time allowed.
The Virginia Beach board has until Dec. 30., six months after Sidney L. Faucette left to head schools in Gwinnett County, Ga., to select a replacement, according to state statute. A local board has 180 days from the time a superintendent leaves to appoint a permanent successor, or the State Board can intervene.
Board chairwoman June T. Kernutt said she was still optimistic that the board would make a choice by Christmas, but the letter was sent as a safeguard.
``I have every hope we'll be finished, but we wanted to be covered just in case,'' she said.
James P. Jones, president of the State Board of Education, said he expected the board would approve the request.
``The board has certainly been indulgent in the past,'' Jones said.
The earliest the State Board could act on the request is at its next meeting, Jan. 18. The length of the extension would be at the board's discretion, Jones said.
James L. Pughsley, one of the finalists for the permanent superintendent's job, has served as interim superintendent for the past six months. Pughsley has gone through the same interview process as the two other finalists. On Monday, he and his wife met for two hours with a citizens' advisory committee convened by the board to assist in the search.
In his interview, Pughsley touched on a number of issues he has not addressed publicly in detail as he has managed the district through the worst financial crisis in its history.
Pughsley discussed the possibility of putting high schools on a trimester system, which would essentially eliminate summer school for the upper grades, instead giving students an extra semester for instruction if they needed or chose it.
He also stressed the need for early intervention with students, saying changes at the elementary grades would drive change in the upper grades.
Pughsley said the city's schools have a rich tradition of student achievement but resting on that achievement is insufficient. He also raised the possibility of changing the way employees are evaluated so that there are incentives for success.
The division has gone through a difficult situation, Pughsley said, but it is also important to look at the long term - how the school system will look in five or 10 years.
``I'm not interested in surviving,'' he said. ``I'm interested in success.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Cover, Color photo]
IN SEARCH OF A SUPERINTENDENT
James Pughsley
The Virginia Beach school distirct has gone through a difficult
situation, James Pughsley said, but it is also important to look at
the long term - how the school system will look in five or 10 years.
``I'm not interested in surviving,'' he said. ``I'm interested in
success.''
Staff photo by
VICKI CRONIS
JAMES L. PUGHSLEY
Age: 56
Family status: Married; one adult child
Hometown: Tucson, Ariz.
Education: B.S. in elementary education from Northern Arizona
University, M.Ed. in elementary education and educational
administration and Ed.D. in educational administration from the
University of Arizona
Current position: Interim superintendent of Virginia Beach Public
Schools
Student population: 77,000
Number of schools: 82 schools and centers
Operating budget (1995-96): $358 million
Years served in Virginia Beach: Two
Previous experience: Deputy superintendent, Virginia Beach Public
Schools, 1993 to July 1995; superintendent, Monroe City (La.)
Schools, 1990-92; associate superintendent, Clark County (Nev.)
Schools, 1979-90. Has served as a teacher, Title 1 coordinator,
principal and director of elementary schools.
KEYWORDS: PROFILE VIRGINIA BEACH SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT by CNB