THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 15, 1995 TAG: 9512130156
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 162 lines
After reading a recent entry in the continuing saga of the Virginia Beach School Board, I must whole heartedly agree with board member Ulysses Van Spiva. The School Board is moving entirely too fast in its quest to fill the superintendent's position.
It is unfortunate that only Dr. Spiva, through his years on the School Board, has an appreciation for the history of the migratory nature of those who have previously filled this post. It seems as though our school system has become the steppingstone, the ticket to get punched to bigger and better things. The word is out: ``If you want to move up in the school superintendent profession, go to Virginia Beach for a couple of years and move on up from there.''
It is equally unfortunate that this is a self-inflicted wound. As reported, only five resumes, of 39 possible candidates, were reviewed, and two of the three reported finalists are currently under contract to other school systems. Their apparent eagerness to ``jump ship'' and come to Virginia Beach, I fear, will do little to achieve stability in our school system and only perpetuate the revolving-door atmosphere in which the current financial fiasco was allowed to breed.
Look at the money involved to bring in a new superintendent (contract buyout, moving expenses, salary, etc.). Let's face it: We probably could have gotten the same lack of fiscal responsibility for considerably less money. Considering Dr. Spiva's statement, ``Given the situation in Virginia Beach right now we can only afford the best,'' and board member Donald F. Bennis' concern for ``stability,'' I think the members of the School Board owe it to the taxpayers and the children of this city to avoid rushing this decision simply for the sake of some self-imposed urgency. After all, one of three finalists is already here and currently doing the job.
As a professor of education and public administration and a management consultant, I always stress the importance of reviewing the resumes of all applicants, particularly when filling high-level positions. To do otherwise would be like trying to pick the winner in a horse race after studying only half the field. The rule of thumb here is, ``The higher the position, the more time one should invest in the selecting the person to fill it.'' The search for our next superintendent should be deliberate, exacting and all-inclusive with no potential candidate eliminated simply to expedite the process. I think this is the least we should expect from our elected School Board.
W. E. Parker
Virginia Beach `God's blessings' on Crisis pregnancy centers
I read with great interest and admiration ``Crisis center offers alternative to abortion'' (Nov. 5). Unfortunately, in our modern society countless mothers do not choose life for their unborn children. It gives me hope for the future to know that there are three Crisis Pregnancy Centers of Tide-water.
Congratulations to those who work at the centers and offer the women ``the emotional support they need to get through the unexpected pregnancies.'' Thanks to the churches and individuals who donate baby clothes and other items to the centers. But most especially, God's blessings on the women who do take advantage of the support, care and counsel at the centers.
Sister Brenda Query
Director of Religious Education for Adults, St. Gregory the Great Parish `Foul play' by council on electoral reform
``Clearer wording this time will ask Beach voters how they want to be represented'' was the subheading to the City Report by Karen Weintraub in the Beacon Dec. 1. But the ballot question, chosen by City Council for next May's election, is anything but clear. It is a blatant attempt to confuse, not clarify the issue.
Council's action is foul play, reminding me of the witches in MacBeth who turned everything upside down as they stirred their brew and chanted, ``Fair is foul and foul is fair!'' The inverted language of the ballot question is a deliberate effort to retain the status quo.
Fairness dictates a clarification of the purpose of the upcoming vote. We the People spoke clearly in May 1994. Voters called for change in the process to equalize the size of the boroughs and made it clear how they wanted to be represented. Specifically, they wanted only those living in a voting district to elect their own representative plus four at-large seats.
The antiquated at-large system has failed twice in recent years to give our borough the representative who won a majority of that borough's votes. That is patently un-fair.
Council distorts the issue further in its phrasing of the Yes-No section of the ballot question. To bring about change, one will have to vote No. Is that slanted or what?
Not satisfied with that distortion, Council hits into foul territory again in the numbers game. Would you rather vote for all 11 or for only 5? That is a false issue. Those who voted for change obviously do not want to vote for everyone else's borough representative.
Well, one thing is clear. There will be changes in the size of the voting districts whether council likes it or not. The General Assembly has decreed that to be fair the seven districts should have equal populations. This will correct the present disparity.
Now, let's hope council will correct its mistake and reconsider the wording of the ballot. To be fair, those who want reform should be able to indicate this clearly with a Yes vote. After all, fair if fair!
Lil Youell
Virginia Beach High praise for caliber of School for Arts students
I recently had the pleasure of attending the Governor's School for the Arts' production of the opera ``Dido and Aeneas.'' I was very impressed by the high caliber of talent and professionalism presented by these students, who come from all over the Hampton Roads area. The production was one of the most outstanding works presented by high school students I've seen.
Too often, we only hear about the problems created by and surrounding today's young people. But this group of individuals, under the direction of Alan Fischer, needs to be recognized for their superb talent and dedicated work. It was a rare treat to see this level of opera performed by high school students. We should consider ourselves very fortunate to have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful music created by these bright, young voices.
I urge our community to support the efforts of these hard-working, gifted young people. They could very well be tomorrow's leading opera performers. And to think they had their beginnings right here in Hampton Roads!
Diane Toohey
Virginia Beach What to do about disruptive youth?
< I would like to respond to Mr. C. W. Carr's letter, ``Allen's right to crack down on `this young disruptive segment of society,' '' (Beacon, Nov. 24).
It is apparent that Mr. Carr is aligned with the Republican Party; he provided Leo Wardrup and Ed Schrock a portion of his well-trimmed lawn to help support his candidate of choice. I too support the Republican Party, with its agenda of less taxes and smaller government instrusion. Additionally, Governor Allen may be moving in the right direction to help curtail youth violence for those whoi have gone beyond any help. However, by voting for less taxation and smaller government intrusion, we are also voting to be more responsible for ourselves and our own communities.
Mr. Carr has a right to be mad about the vandalism that took place at his home. He has a right to be mad at the Democrats, ``single moms,'' people who don't read the paper and the vandals who violated his constitutional right of free speech. He claims that the vandals are ``representative of today's youth'' and that four decades of failed policy have not rehabilitated ``the little brutes.''
But what I ask is: What has he, or any of us for that matter, done personally to change the way our young adults are growing up in a society full of temptations? I agree that some young adults are at times rude, have no respect for personal property and are undisciplined. But what can we do about it?
The problem is that the ``little brutes'' grow up to be ``big brutes''; in fact, 15 years from now the kid who rode across Mr. Carr's newly seeded lawn may be running against Ed or Leo and may want to put up a sign in his yard. Think about that.
Now is the time for action. Ask yourself: When was the last time you spent any time with a young person? When was the last time you made a contribution to your church youth group or went to a Boy/Girl Scout troop meeting or volunteered to be a big brother?
The majority of us voted for welfare reform that affects both family and youth programs. But not paying for those social programs doesn't mean that the problems go away. It means that we all must, in some other way and in some other form, make a contribution to our communities, be it with time or money.
Instead of sweeping gutters tomorrow, help that ``single mom'' and her ``little brute'' by spending some time with that young adult so he becomes a productive member of society. Who knows - may cut your grass next summer.
J. D. Heard
Virginia Beach by CNB