THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 16, 1996 TAG: 9601160270
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PERRY PARKS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
JEB Stuart, an educator and administrator for more than 25 years, has just moved from one stormy position to another.
Stuart, whose transfer from Camden County High School last fall launched a wave of protest, has been named headmaster at the Albemarle School - whose last leader left in November after a public feud with her board.
``The Albemarle School has the latitude and freedom to provide broad ranges of experiences and opportunities for its students,'' Stuart said of the private K-12 school in a written statement Monday.
``I want to be part of their movement toward excellence in education. Their purpose is to focus on what is best for children in a safe and orderly environment, which has been a deep concern of mine.''
Stuart, 49, has a bachelor's degree in geography and science and a master's degree in education administration, both from East Carolina University. He is certified in government, science, geography, administration and mentoring.
Stuart had worked at Camden County High School for 25 years and served as its principal for a year when central administrators switched the jobs of Stuart and then-middle school principal Ron Melchiorre in August.
Angry parents, students and community members turned out in force to protest the decision, which administrators have never explained, citing personnel laws. Stuart's supporters said the administration should not have disrupted the rapport and respect Stuart had built with high school students over the years.
Earlier this month, Stuart announced a two-month leave of absence from the middle school to care for his ailing father. His resignation, delivered to Superintendent Carole C. Smith Friday, is effective March 1. He will start at the Albemarle School two days later.
Stuart replaces Anne Henderson, the widely honored leader who abruptly walked out of her office after less than a year.
Henderson left with harsh words for some parents and directors she said had undercut her authority and interfered with her efforts to maintain discipline at the school.
Albemarle School board member John S. Morrison said Monday he thinks Stuart can put the school back on course.
``I have the highest regard forDr. Henderson. I'm still very disappointed that she's not there,'' Morrison said. ``But we have to move on. And I think this is the right man to take us where we want to go.
``He's got a proven track record in Camden. And he is committed to the education of our young people. . . . I think he will be able to instill camaraderie in people and give direction to which they will respond.''
Stuart's wife, Judy, is a teacher at the Albemarle School, and a daughter has attended there.
In his statement, Stuart talked about the importance of ``principled leadership'' but did not explain why he left the Camden County Schools.
Stuart declined to elaborate on the statement Monday. Camden County Schools officials could not be reached because of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
``I have always tried to be a leader of character - a principled leader,'' Stuart's statement reads. ``Principled leaders serve the group, the organization without partiality, prejudice, favoritism or personal gain - this is what I tried to do while I was part of Camden County Schools.
``I am going to a situation where principled leadership and creativity can flourish - where ONLY the children are the focus. . . . Education is about children, our future - not bricks and mortar or personal self-interest.''
Camden residents upset over Stuart's transfer to the middle school have been trying to recruit him to run for the Camden County School Board, a decision Stuart said he is still weighing. by CNB