THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 5, 1996 TAG: 9607030254
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: By DENISE WATSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 63 lines
To many observers, the duties couldn't have been more dissimilar.
On his 9-to-5, former School Board Chairman Maury Brickhouse led the city's Juvenile Probation Department.
As part of his civic life, he led the G1CPBRI05 Brickhouse
School Board.
But for Brickhouse, the responsibilities couldn't have been more perfect.
``I'm proud to say we have more children receiving national awards than we had to expel,'' Brickhouse said recently from his Great Bridge home.
``A real balance for me as a director of probation and as a member of the School Board is to see there are so many balanced children not in need of services. . . there are so many good children in the city. We don't need to be afraid of our children.''
Brickhouse, 47, stepped down from the board this year after 5 1/2 years of service. Spending more time with his family was more important than campaigning to keep his board seat, he said.
``I have a 4-year-old, 13-year-old, a 16-year-old son,'' Brickhouse said. ``My 16-year-old needs dad around.''
Brickhouse grew up in the city's South Norfolk section, the only child of parents who stressed giving back to the community. He graduated from Oscar Smith High School and enrolled in Old Dominion University as an engineering major.
He soon switched to history. He loved history but didn't do well with the foreign language requirements. He switched majors and graduated in 1967 with a degree in education.
Years later, he was offered a job as a probation officer.
``I was working for a man who was running for Congress, he lost, and I was out of work,'' Brickhouse recalled. ``I heard there was a vacancy as a probation officer and I took it until I could find a real job.
``The rest is history.''
He loved his work. He saw it as the real test of public service, of giving back.
``I think it's a place where you can contribute to children, contribute to society. . . I don't know if there's a more meaningful job then being in juvenile probation.''
One exception might be the School Board. Brickhouse was appointed to the board in 1991 and was elected vice chair in 1995. A few months later he became chairman.
The tests and tasks have been plentiful. There've been unpopular decisions to deny teachers' raises when the budget was too tight. As chairman, he put in 20 to 30 hours a week, attending regular School Board meetings and additional meetings to plan for those.
Then there's the responsibility of guiding nine members, all of whom are responsible for guiding one of the state's fastest-growing districts.
``You have to channel diversity, try to build consensus,'' Brickhouse said.
``It all requires a lot of time.''
Time, he realizes he now wants to devote to his children.
``My son is a rising senior and he plays football,'' said Brickhouse, a former high school standout player.
``I missed all or part of three football games last year. I don't want to miss that for my son's last season.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Brickhouse
KEYWORDS: CHESAPEAKE SCHOOL BOARD by CNB