DATE: Friday, September 19, 1997            TAG: 9709190858

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B5   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY ALETA PAYNE, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   77 lines

BEACH ADMINISTRATOR TO HEAD RICHMOND SCHOOLS

Albert Williams, a highly regarded administrator in the Virginia Beach school system for more than 20 years, has been named superintendent of schools in Richmond.

Williams, who has been a principal at the elementary, middle and high schools in the Beach and has served most recently as assistant superintendent for secondary education, will take over the helm in the 26,000-student district on Oct. 13.

``Hopefully, we can find someone who is as capable as him, but he's irreplaceable as a person,'' said Beach School Board Chairman Robert Hagans.

Williams, who grew up in the projects of Norfolk and began his career as a classroom teacher in Virginia Beach after a stint in the Army, said the decision was a hard one because of the people he will leave behind.

``It's really my kids I leave behind, the kids I've known and worked with over the years, and their parents,'' Williams said. ``I think that's the hard part.''

``Virginia Beach is a great city. It has treated me well,'' he said.

And those who have worked with him say he has done well by the city.

``I feel like we're losing a great friend, to me personally and to the secondary principals he's worked so closely with,'' said Patricia Griffin, principal of Princess Anne High School and president of the Virginia Beach Association of Secondary School Principals.

``I hate to see him go. He'll be sorely missed,'' she said.

Folks in Richmond were a whole lot happier with the news, however.

``We apologize to you, but only half-heartedly,'' said Melvin D. Law, chairman of the Richmond School Board. ``We need him.''

Law described William's unanimous selection by the Richmond board as ``practically miraculous.'' The interview process moved unusually quickly, with the board meeting with the six candidates last Friday and Saturday, and Williams' selection announced Thursday.

``It was clear Dr. Williams had unanimous support,'' Law said. ``And that was the end of the story.''

Law said the board was impressed with his sincerity and his ``quiet strength.''

``Dr. Williams seems to have a clear vision of what needs to be done in the school division. He has strong management skills,'' Law said.

Williams, 51, isn't taking on an easy job. Richmond has a reputation for being even harder on school superintendents than Virginia Beach. He replaces Patricia C. Conn who was fired without cause in June less than two years after being hired by a divided board.

Williams said the similarities between his upbringing and the population Richmond serves helped attract him to the job.

``I'm looking forward to it. It's a challenge. Those kids deserve the very best, too. They really do,'' he said.

In a school district often divided, Williams seemed to bridge the gaps and move among the various groups with the respect and trust of all.

``Al transcended politics and made decisions,'' said Lillian Donnally, principal of Open Campus. ``He listened. He is a leader of teachers and an advocate for students and principals.''

At Kellam High School, where he served as principal before being tapped for the central office, Williams was regarded fondly by parents, students and staff.

``He was always at sporting events,'' said Gretchen Forbes, whose daughters graduated from Kellam. ``I'd go to the games, and it didn't matter if it was basketball or football or wrestling. He was there. He was a presence, mingling with the kids.''

``He commanded respect, and he deserved it,'' Forbes said.

Williams is the second high-level administrator to leave the division in recent months. Lindell Wallace, assistant superintendent for middle schools, retired during the summer. Williams' duties as assistant superintendent for high schools were then combined with the middle school post.

Superintendent Timothy R. Jenney said the Richmond job would be a wonderful opportunity for Williams but that it meant a loss to the division.

``He will take with him great maturity, a great level of experience, great knowledge,'' Jenney said. ``We will miss him.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo

Administrator Albert Williams leaves Virginia Beach schools to

become superintendent of schools in Richmond.

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