ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, May 29, 1996 TAG: 9605290078
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
Ousted principal Michael McIntosh is not expected to return to the Noel C. Taylor Learning Academy next year, even though some students say he did a good job.
He is a strict disciplinarian who improved the school and brought order to classrooms, they said Tuesday.
"They complained that he was too strict," one student said. " Now some are saying things are too lenient since he left."
But other students told Superintendent Wayne Harris that McIntosh ran Roanoke's alternative education school with too many rules and imposed rigid control over students.
"School got a lot better for me when they let him go," one student said. "He was too strict."
The students wanted to know who will be their principal next year. Ray Williams, who was an assistant to McIntosh, is acting principal.
Harris said he will decide this summer whether Williams will become principal. He gave no indication that McIntosh would be reinstated or that he has changed his position on him.
Several parents recently asked the School Board to return McIntosh to the principal's post after he was acquitted of striking a student, but the board generally relies on the superintendent for recommendations on administrative appointments.
Harris said earlier he removed McIntosh for several reasons - not just the incident in which he was accused of hitting the student. The charge was dismissed in Roanoke Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. McIntosh has been reassigned as an administrator to work with the principals of two magnet schools, Lincoln Terrace Elementary and Addison Middle.
Harris met with about 30 students Tuesday at Taylor Academy to get their views on the school, teachers, safety and any other issues they wanted to discuss. He has held similar "town meetings" with students at William Fleming and Patrick Henry high schools. The students did not use their names, and administrators and teachers were kept away so students could speak freely.
Students said safety was not an issue for them, but they did have complaints about the cafeteria food, long classes and certain teachers.
Some said the food is cold and unappetizing. They said the school should have more food choices, as at William Fleming and Patrick Henry high schools. They also want the school to serve breakfast.
Several students said the block schedule, with classes that last almost two hours, makes it difficult to pay attention in class.
"It's hard to stay interested in a subject for that long," one said. "You keep up better with your work when you have class every day [instead of every other day in the block schedule]."
Some students complained that it's difficult to get to part-time jobs on time because the school day at Taylor Academy doesn't end until 3:30.
Harris said he will look into starting the school day earlier so students can get out earlier. Harris said the school has a later schedule - the day runs from 9:30 to 3:30 - so it can have its own bus routes. Last year, the city ran shuttle buses from the middle schools and high schools to bring the students to the school.
There also were complaints about the lack of a gymnasium and athletic teams at the school, which is in a former shopping center.
"If we are going to be our own school, we should have our own teams. We would start with wrestling, track and maybe basketball," one boy said.
Harris didn't promise a gym and athletic teams, but he said he would consider having students participate on teams at William Fleming and Patrick Henry.
One student complained about the lack of windows in the school, saying he felt as if he were in solitary confinement. "The only time you can see out is when you go to the front door," he said.
Harris said he's not sure there is a way to provide windows in the mall setting. "Quite frankly, I think it is nice and quality space, compared to when the school was at Addison," he said. Most students agreed.
The students had conflicting views of their teachers. Some said they liked the school because teachers let the students work at their own pace and make sure they understand the material.
"When I was at Fleming, I failed. But here my grades are better. I make B's and C's, and I am graduating next year," one girl said.
But others said teachers were too lenient and would provide answers to problems without making the students work.
"You don't learn anything when the teacher gives us the answer and treats us like kids," another student said. "They don't teach us."
Despite the complaints, the students said they like one thing about their school that many others in Roanoke don't have: air conditioning.
"That is nice," one boy said. "We might not have windows, but we've got air conditioning."
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