Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, October 13, 1995 TAG: 9510130103
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: LISA APPLEGATE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Long
Dick Edwards, a retired Army colonel, and Virginia Tech professor Jim Klagge are vying for the district that includes much of Blacksburg and stretches north to the Giles County border.
Edwards is hoping to regain his year-old seat on the board. Then he wants to help the board narrow its focus to what he sees as the most important element of education: the curriculum.
Klagge said the board needs him as a representative to improve communication with the community and change the negative attitude parents and teachers have toward the county school administration.
This isn't the first time the two have competed for the seat. Edwards and Klagge were two of six applicants considered by the Board of Supervisors last year when Virginia Kennedy decided not to seek reappointment.
The board chose Edwards. Klagge has been attending board meetings ever since in preparation for this campaign.
Klagge said he's glad to see selection of school board representatives transfer directly to the people, rather than through a Board of Supervisors vote.
"The School Board has developed a bad reputation. [Elected school boards] make members involve themselves with the community and bring the issues into the public eye."
Klagge said Montgomery County Schools have many strengths that should continue.
"We have great teachers," he said. "The diversity in the county makes for a good educational experience, and we're blessed with a safe system where violence is not a major concern."
And, Klagge said, he supports some of what the School Board is doing.
"The attempt to incorporate Focus 2006 into the budgeting process is excellent. The problem is whether we'll get the financial support necessary" to implement the goals, he said.
That's where the community comes in. The board needs to organize grass-roots community support, particularly during budget negotiations when resident input can have an impact on the Board of Supervisors' decisions, he said.
People have told Klagge they're concerned about the lack of communication between teachers and administrators and administrators and the School Board. Teachers say they don't feel well-respected by the administration or within the community.
"We've got to make it a high priority and make teachers feel more appreciated," he said.
For Edwards, the problem with the nine-member board is a lack of focus. The board tries too many different programs for small categories of children without clearly understanding the reasons for its choice.
"Our mission is to educate all children," he said. "We may have lost our focus by tending to look at 10 percent on either side as opposed to everyone in the middle."
Initiatives such as gifted student programs and inclusion of handicapped and learning-disabled children are important and essential, he said. But too often, progressive teaching methods or new ideas sidetrack the board.
"Right now, the agenda setting comes more from the superintendent [Herman Bartlett] and the chair [Roy Vickers] than from the board."
Take, for example, block scheduling in Christiansburg and Shawsville high schools.
"We went with that without fully identifying what was wrong with the current scheduling," Edwards said.
He opposed the decision to change the two high school schedules from seven 45-minute classes for an entire year to four 90-minute classes each semester. Advocates said block scheduling would save time and allow teachers more flexibility and creativity.
Edwards believes the board needs to limit its scope to basic curriculum choices. Specifically, it needs to look at how well the schools' graduates are succeeding.
In the push for advanced technological training, Edwards wonders whether Montgomery County graduates are leaving school with the necessary skills.
"If it takes basic communication skills to succeed, then that's what we ought to focus on," he said. "I'm not saying I'm anti-computer, but those who say technology is the future, therefore we need a computer in every room" should make sure they can support the assumption that it will benefit the pupils.
Klagge doesn't think the board should be directly involved with shaping the curriculum. In general, it needs to prepare students for a modern workplace.
"We need to encourage critical thinking, cooperative learning and familiarity with technology. It's virtually a prerequisite for most jobs," he said.
Klagge was endorsed by the Montgomery County Education Association's Political Action committee. "They've been extremely helpful, but they are by no means the only source of support. [The wide range of support] is quite humbling, really."
Name: Dick Edwards
Age: 57
Occupation: Retired Army colonel
Education: Graduate of Norwich University; master's degree in political science, Kansas State University
Family: Married to Susan; father of three sons, the youngest at Blacksburg High School
Community ties: Member, Blacksburg Rotary Club; member, Blacksburg High School Boosters Club
What have you learned while serving on the board?: It's difficult to gain a consensus among nine people with differing priorities. "I was right about the fact that there is a high quality of education in this county. That's demonstrated by test results and the excellence displayed by students and faculty."
Last book read: "American Journey" by Colin Powell
Campaign method: Door-to-door. "I don't put too much stock in signs or literature - it's more important to talk."
Core beliefs: The School Board needs to re-evaluate continually in what direction the system is headed and why. Part of that is ensuring that all children - from gifted to special needs children - receive a quality education.
Why is he the best candidate? He brings a different perspective to the board - one acquired after 30 years as an Army colonel training young adults for military service. As a member of the School Board, he said, "I've tried to prioritize what I thought to be important but at the same time, be realistic about the fiscal restraints. We need to focus on what is important and not get involved with side issues."
Name: Jim Klagge
Age: 40
Occupation: Virginia Tech philosophy professor
Education: Graduate of College of William and Mary; doctorate from UCLA
Family: Divorced, father of a daughter at Blacksburg Middle School and a son at Kipps Elementary School
Community ties: Member and Sunday School teacher, Blacksburg Presbyterian Church; co-founder, Mainstream Citizens of Montgomery County; coach, youth soccer league; member, PTA
Ever attended a School Board meeting? He's been attending meetings regularly since he became interested in running for the seat two years ago.
Last book read: "Memoir from an Ant-Proof Case" by Mark Helprin
Campaign method: Door-to-door; posting handmade, plywood signs; wears a hand-painted T-shirt describing him as a "true-blue guy for school board"
Core values: Increase community involvement; develop technological, group and critical thinking skills
Why is he the best candidate? He can provide the School Board with the leadership it needs by being well-known and accessible. "People feel comfortable with me to voice their concerns. Now [the board] will have a connection within the community."
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB