Photos by Jared Soares | The Roanoke Times

Henry County schools Superintendent Anthony Jackson laughs with Christine Martin on July 14 at Bassett High School after a meet-and-greet session. Martin, who has two children in the system, said she attended to meet the new superintendent.

Henry County schools Superintendent Anthony Jackson speaks with parents and staff at a meeting July 14 at Bassett High School.

COLLINSVILLE -- Henry County resident Christina Martin would like to see a change in the school system she graduated from decades ago, especially now that she has two children.

"We need new, upcoming ideas," she said.

Since the county's declining economy necessitated the closing of five schools in a consolidation effort in 2004, "there's been a lull," she said.

Enter Anthony Jackson, the school board's pick to head the school system and take it "from good to great."

Jackson, 44, the first African-American to lead the county schools, has shown how his progressive ideas can turn schools and learning experiences around in Washington, D.C., and most recently in Spotsylvania County, people who know him say.

Where some see a school system beaten up by the economic troubles of the county it serves, Jackson sees a community asset that can help turn the county around.

"A high-quality school system helps the county set the context for attracting business and industry to the community," he said.

An economic boost

Like surrounding localities, Henry County has been hurt by the deterioration of textile and furniture manufacturing.

It now shoulders one of the highest unemployment rates in the state at 15.4 percent, and its population that has decreased by 4.5 percent since 2000.

Fewer bodies has led to less income, which has hurt the school system.

The budget for this school year is $75.6 million, down 4.3 percent from last year. Part of the decline is the result of the state budget crunch that hit all 132 school divisions.

Jackson succeeds Sharon Dodson, who resigned this year. Dodson guided the school system through particularly difficult economic times, which included the consolidation and closing of five schools.

The new superintendent said he is optimistic about the future of the school system and believes it has succeeded in spite of the failing economy.

As one of the county's largest employers, the school division plays an active role in economic development, Jackson said. If the school system does its job right, it can attract people and businesses.

"Schools are a vehicle for upward mobility," he said. "We're partners in discussing it [economic troubles], not a casualty of it. We can be a catalyst for economic development."

Meetings with the county economic development group and other county officials are planned and will continue, he said.

Faculty and staff will focus on providing a quality education for students, and the school system will make sure to publicize its achievements to serve as an attraction for new businesses, Jackson said.

School board member Curtis Millner is looking for Jackson to provide a solution to tough financial times.

"My hope is that Mr. Jackson will come up with some innovative ways to save funds and at the same time not reduce the quality of education for our students," he said.

To balance the budget this year, the Henry County school system cut 35 positions, mostly through attrition, Jackson said. As school divisions prepare for additional cuts from the state, the superintendent said school officials will remain conservative and use resources wisely.

"We will maintain the quality of what happens in the classroom first," he said. "Then look at other things very, very closely."

High expectations

Jackson was chosen from a pool of 25 applicants from across the country, school board Chairwoman Kathy Rogers said.

"Personally, his energy and easygoing communications style were a plus for me," she said. "Also, for someone so young, his experience in education is quite extensive."

Millner said he was also impressed by Jackson's resume and his goal to take a good school division and make it better.

"I have very high expectations of Mr. Jackson and look forward to working with him in the coming years," he said.

On Jackson being the first African-American to hold the job, Millner said, "It shows that we have finally moved forward into the 21st century."

A Washington, D.C., native, Jackson has worked for numerous school districts along the East Coast since he started as a music, choral and drama teacher after graduating from East Carolina University in 1987.

His resume includes stints as principal, an associate superintendent and work with charter schools.

Jackson, who once worked as a custodian while in college and also shelved books in a library, most recently served as the director of K-12 curriculum and instruction for Spotsylvania County schools. His Henry County position is his first stint as a superintendent.

"Henry County is lucky to have hired Mr. Jackson, as he is a skilled professional educator who does his job extremely well and always keeps students his first priority," Spotsylvania County Superintendent Jerry Hill said.

Though his former school division had 31 schools and more than 24,000 students, Jackson said it's more similar to Henry County than it is different.

"Both are high-achieving school divisions," he said. "Both have high-octane professionals who really get the job done.

Sixteen schools and about 7,700 students make up Henry County Public Schools.

Hill credits Jackson with developing and implementing numerous programs in the Spotsylvania County school system including an alternative school and an online learning program for high school students.

Implementing nontraditional programs is where Jackson has created a niche.

He said he considers his biggest professional achievement his work with the Arts and Technology Academy in Washington, D.C., "taking that school from a program that many thought would not survive to one that received national recognition as one of the best eight charter schools in the country."

In 2003, the U.S. Department of Education profiled the charter school and noted Jackson's leadership that turned the school around.

"Jackson came to ATA in 2000, two years after it opened, at a time when the school was floundering, children were not succeeding and complaints were high," the profile reads. "After three years, all signs are positive."

Communication is key

With only a month on the job, Jackson hasn't developed a firm plan of action of what he'll change or how he'll do it.

"I'm still in look-see mode," he said.

According to his four-year contract with the school division, Jackson's initial annual salary is $125,000, one of the highest in the area. An additional $5,000 will be added when he earns his doctorate.

Perks in the contract include a $700-a-month vehicle stipend and up to $7,000 in moving expenses.

While he works with his staff to develop ideas, plans and programs, Jackson has spoken about one area he will focus on: communication.

"We will deal with problems upfront, honestly and directly," he told a crowd of parents and faculty at a July 14 meet-and-greet.

Though his first official day was July 1, Jackson has been meeting with faculty and staff since his contract was signed April 17.

A self-described collaborator and consensus builder, Jackson said he believes it's important to include everyone in the decision-making process.

"This process has served me well over the years and helps build leadership capacity throughout the organization," he said.

The theme of every administrators' meeting has been communication, Bassett High School Principal Dean Randall said.

"He's been building relationships," he said. "He warned that people have a hard time discussing hard issues, but we'll do what's best. He'll lead us in a positive direction. We'll be better than we have been."

Martin said she's happy about Jackson's performance so far.

"He's already 100 percent better, because he's out here, meeting people," she said at July's meet-and-greet.

Some of Jackson's other goals include increasing student achievement and ensuring safe, secure and orderly schools.

Soon, he plans to identify specific priorities to address, he said.

School board member Betsy Mattox said she hopes Jackson, whatever else he does, keeps his communication efforts up, making sure to get to know the community, its people and needs.

Jackson said numerous times that he's willing to have tough conversations and make tough decisions.

Hill said he has seen Jackson work his way through difficult situations. In those instances, including an audit of the special education department and principal evaluations, Jackson focused on what was best for the students, he said.

"At times we'll disagree, but you will walk away feeling heard and respected," Jackson said.