THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 8, 1996 TAG: 9610080285
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY VANEE VINES, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: 116 lines
Controversy erupted before Walter Taylor Jr., the new principal of I.C. Norcom High School, even had a chance to introduce himself to Norcom's faculty.
Hired by the School Board days before this school year started, he was the administration's choice to take over at Norcom, Portsmouth's historically black high school.
But some Norcom supporters frowned on the administration's decision to move former Norcom Principal DeWayne Jeter to a central office job in the first place.
Superintendent Richard D. Trumble called it a promotion. Residents were skeptical, pointing out Trumble's initial reluctance to recommend Jeter for tenure as a high school principal two years ago.
Their complaints really weren't aimed at Taylor. But the outcry demonstrated residents' concern about the school's fate a year before a new Norcom is scheduled to open.
Now, with about a month at Norcom under his belt, Taylor so far has garnered support from teachers, students, parents and the school's alumni association.
And, ever self-confident, he is already predicting steady academic and other gains at the school.
He says things will continue to improve because he will encourage staffers to work as a team and he plans to offer whatever support he can.
``I have high expectations. And I believe in staying positive and always doing things with the students in mind - and getting them to reach their potential,'' said the 52-year-old Norfolk native, who spent most of his career in the Norfolk school district.
``It sounds like something you may have heard before. But the question should always be, `Was it accomplished?' I'm looking to accomplish it. . . . Everything I try to do is focused on improvement.''
Taylor said he never dwelled on the flap or questioned the administration's decision to place him at Norcom.
He originally thought he would be assigned to Woodrow Wilson High School because that school's former principal resigned this summer.
But in a memo to the School Board, Trumble described Taylor as an impressive administrator who would help the district ``make the new Norcom the model we envision.''
Taylor also says he knows little about a standardized testing breach at Norcom this spring.
He said he preferred to focus on the future. And he already has begun to make an impression at the school.
Instead of classifying guidance counselors by grade level, for example, he and the counselors decided that counselors would serve students based on alphabetical groupings.
Taylor says the step will make counselors more ``effective'' because it allows them to work with a larger cross-section of students and, presumably, prevents counselors from getting in a rut.
Math teacher Vincent Pugh says he likes what he has seen.
``He's very professional, an up-front type of leader,'' said Pugh, who has taught at Norcom for three years. ``He's open to any suggestions we may have. I think that's made the transition smooth.''
At a recent reception for Taylor, leaders of Norcom's alumni group gave him a thumbs-up because they said he shared their vision of excellence for Norcom, which houses the district's math, science and technology magnet program.
Some students also have given him high marks.
``He told us that we can talk to him about anything,'' said Norcom junior Deonte Hawks.
``It tells me he cares about his students.''
Those who have known Taylor over the years describe him as an administrator who is committed to classroom darlings and disruptives alike.
They say he relishes tough assignments and goes about his work with a sense of purpose and little fanfare.
``It's just good, strong leadership'' that distinguishes him, said Jerry Deviney, principal of Virginia Beach's Ocean Lakes High School.
Taylor worked as an Ocean Lakes High assistant principal before the Beach school district selected him this summer to be principal of Green Run High.
``He's a very fair and committed person who has devoted himself to the job,'' said Deviney, recalling how Taylor would volunteer for difficult administrative assignments - like scheduling.
Last year, Taylor, a 27-year education veteran and father of three, was named Virginia Beach's Assistant Principal of the Year.
He headed to Portsmouth instead of taking over at Green Run.
His decision to leave a growing, more affluent school district still has some Portsmouth gadflies scratching their heads.
Taylor said he left for personal reasons and also because he and his family decided he should ``go for it'' by accepting a new challenge.
``I wanted to chart a new course,'' he said, dismissing suggestions that something juicier was behind the move.
His decision was a blow to many Green Run High parents.
``We were really looking forward to having him back,'' said Karen Taylor, Green Run High School's PTA president.
Principal Taylor - no relation - was an assistant principal at that school before he was assigned to Ocean Lakes High in 1994.
``My daughter was a senior at Green Run the last year Mr. Taylor was there,'' Karen Taylor said. ``She had some disciplinary problems and he helped her out a lot.
``He called (students) in his office and really talked to them, not at them.
``He would definitely let them know that if they had messed up, they would have to suffer the consequences. But he stressed that they could always turn over a new leaf.''
Taylor's not all business, though.
He makes acrylic paintings in his spare time, and he occasionally takes up architectural drafting.
His two teen-age sons, both of whom attend Chesapeake's Oscar Smith High, also help keep him grounded by reminding him that he's just Dad, he said.
``I guess you could say I'm eclectic, I have many sides,'' he said. ``But whatever I'm doing, whatever it is, I try to stay positive.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photos by MARK MITCHELL photos, The
Virginian-Pilot
Norcom's Walter Taylor Jr., a veteran educator, was Virginia Beach's
Assistant Principal of the Year in 1995.
Taylor has garnered support from teachers, students, parents and the
Norcom alumni association. by CNB