Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Editorial: Reappoint Carson to city school board
Roanoke schools will continue to benefit from Carson's leadership.
From the RoundTable blog
Read the latest entries
There are pivotal times in organizations when success hinges on courageous leaders who are willing to enact reforms and who have the ability to persuade others to embrace those changes. Without that courage and persuasion, failure is assured.
The Roanoke City Public Schools system is at such a crucial juncture. There is a great deal of optimism that the system -- finally -- is headed in the right direction. Much of that optimism is due to the leadership exhibited by Chairman David Carson.
Carson's term is soon to expire and he has expressed interest in continuing on the board as it faces its biggest challenge yet -- realigning the schools and attendance zones. Roanoke City Council should not hesitate for one moment in reappointing him.
Carson has proved repeatedly he is up to the challenge. During his first year as chairman, the school board surmounted two huge negatives:
n The schools and city council were at tremendous odds over financing. Since then, the city has agreed to add $500,000 a year to the school budget, and the schools have worked closely with the city to combine services and save money.
n The board bought out the contract of a superintendent who wasn't truthful and who failed to perform to community expectations. The controversy was short-lived, though, because the board made an outstanding hire with Rita Bishop. Bishop returned to Roanoke schools with determination and innovation that the board has backed.
During his second year as chairman, Carson has lent the administration the support it needs to begin correcting the dishearteningly low graduation rate. This work is not for the squeamish nor for those who kowtow to ill-advised council meddling.
Roanoke's schools have been failing students for far too long. The graduation rate has hovered in the 50th and 60th percentiles for nearly two decades, but only recently have efforts been made to counter that and to prevent the next crop of failures.
Credit Carson's progressive leadership for addressing rather than minimizing problems.
His is not the only opening on the board. Mignon Chubb-Hale is not seeking another term. Council has interviewed Dolores Y. Johns, a retired educator, and Lori E. Vaught, a dedicated advocate for the schools.
The easy choice for council will be Carson; the more difficult choice is filling the other chair. Based on their credentials, service and interviews with council, either would well complement the board.
