
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, April 22, 1990                   TAG: 9004210082
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

WHAT'S REALLY BEHIND REASSIGNMENT?

In an article that appeared in the Roanoke Times & World-News April 14, Shawsville High School guidance counselor Fran Weiss is reported to have "speculated" that her vocal opposition last spring to a policy proposed by Harold Dodge, superintendent of schools for Montgomery County, was the basis for Dodge's decision to remove her from counseling and reassign her to the classroom. When informed of her "speculation," Dodge is quoted as replying, "Even speculating is inflammatory, and she ought to know better."

Speculation? Maybe. But to date, my wife has not been given a single reason, either verbally or in writing, as to why this action is being taken, other than that it is in the best interest of the school system - a reason patently absurd given her 12 years of experience as guidance counselor at Shawsville High School; given the esteem in which she is held by students, their parents, the teachers at Shawsville High School, the guidance counselors in the Montgomery County school system, and helping professionals throughout the New River Valley; and given the fact that she has not served as a classroom teacher for 25 years. Moreover, throughout Fran's entire ordeal, never once has any administrator, any supervisor, or the superintendent himself given Fran a single indication that there was any kind of problem that might warrant her removal from counseling or that such an action had even been contemplated.

Perhaps hiding behind vague generalizations and double-talk like "the best interest of the school system" is non-inflammatory. But my wife and I have always believed in the plain, unadulterated truth. Unfortunately, telling the truth sometimes carries a heavy price.

Perhaps in Dodge's world conducting personnel matters in this way is non-inflammatory. Perhaps in his opinion the qua non of decision-making on personnel matters that affect people's reputations, careers and lives is to be non-inflammatory. I do not question Dodge's right to his opinion. Mine, however, differs. I prefer telling the truth, openly and publicly. If this is inflammatory, then I, like my wife, am proud to plead guilty to the charge.\ Alexander Weiss\ Radford

by CNB