ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, October 5, 1996 TAG: 9610070044
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: NATURAL BRIDGE
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
Students can expect to see School Board members in Roanoke schools more often during the next year.
Board members decided Friday to try to have a higher visibility in the schools and at school-related events in the community.
The more members get into the schools, the more they will learn about what's really going on in the school system, Superintendent Wayne Harris told the members Friday. And it will help teachers and students feel more appreciated, he added.
"The sad reality is that while some schools are visited often by top school officials and board members, other schools receive few visits," Harris said.
The superintendent urged more school visits at a board workshop to study how members can operate more effectively without excessive conflict among themselves.
Harry Davis, who was recently appointed to the board, said he hopes to visit at least half of Roanoke's 29 schools during the next year.
Board member Brian Wishneff suggested each member could be responsible for visiting certain schools.
Chairwoman Marsha Ellison said she will set up a schedule of visits if board members will make a commitment to do their share. Many people don't know the members and would like to see them at schools, she said.
She said board members also need to make a greater effort to be present for events such as the recognition ceremony for school volunteers.
"I was embarrassed last year when no member showed up for the volunteer program," said Ellison, adding she was unable to attend because of an emergency.
Harris said he believes it's important for board members to attend community meetings and events where schools are an issue.
"This sends a strong message for us to be there," Harris said. "I can't get to all of them."
While the superintendent wants board members to get into schools more, he asked them to continue to call him if they spot a problem instead of trying to solve it with a staff member.
"I would hope you would not get into a mode so that you would set out to deal with a problem without contacting me and I would be the last to know about it," Harris said.
Board member Marilyn Curtis said the superintendent should be allowed to handle administrative matters. "It is a little dangerous for us to go into the schools and try to operate them," she said.
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