School E-mail June 20, 1997

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Subj: Varia
Date: 97-06-20 18:07:33 EDT
From: James.C.Klagge@bev.net (James C. Klagge)
To: school issues list@vt.edu

Dear Friends,

As you probably know, the school board has hired a new superintendent, Fred Morton, who will start on August 4th. Our enthusiasm is indicated by our unanimous decision to offer him a four-year contract. The consensus was a piece of grace that I could never have predicted. He spent two busy days in town this week being filled in on where we are on a number of different fronts. His many challenges will be compounded by the loss of John Martin as Assistant Superintendent, who has taken a job as a Superintendent in Missouri. If you have not yet met Fred I hope you will have a chance to in the Fall. He has not been a superintendent before, but he was been a teacher, a principal, he worked for 7 years as a consultant with superintendents and school boards, and he has been an Assistant Superintendent for 2 years near Buffalo. Before working as a consultant he and his family lived in Virginia, and he is familiar with and eager to work with the political relationships that complicate school issues. He is also quite experienced as an academic leader, and works well with a wide range of people. In my opinion he is just what we were looking for.

At our May 20th meeting and again at Tuesday's meeting we managed to discuss assessment, accountability and academic challenge. Though this has been a modest beginning, it also looks like a good start. Those who were at these meetings know that an extremely wide range of issues was raised, and none settled. As Mary Beth Dunkenberger said, the problem is how to address this in a manageable and credible way. Since we want to work with Fred on this, we planned for a September retreat where we could try to plan an approach.

The Board of Supervisors has approved funding to go ahead with the new HS in Elliston/Shawsville, and they seem to be on the verge of doing the same for an expanded/renovated BMS. We are determined to insure as best we can that the work at BMS does not significantly disrupt the educational activities there, and we are still committed to the need to move the football field, though arrangements have not yet been made for that.

Candidates are now settled for the various local school board elections in the Fall. In District C David McCrumb is running unopposed. In District D the candidates are Susan Traxel and Mary North. In District A the candidates are Arnold Saari and Tina McPherson. If you live in any of these districts please find out more about these candidates, and possibly join in the campaigns, so that as many people as possible are making informed votes in the Fall.

You may recall that last November Dr. Andrea Kavanaugh, Director of Research for the Blacksburg Electronic Village, and Professor Steve Parson, Program for Leadership and Education, College of Human Resources and Education, posted a questionnaire to this mailing list regarding your experience and perspective in communicating via this list. They have analyzed the results (N=76), which are posted below. Thank you very much for your participation. Hope you have a good summer.

-Jim Klagge.

How long have you been on this mailing list?
1 to 6 months 23.0%
7 to 12 months 70.0%
more than 12 months 7.0%

On a scale of 1-5, how would you rate the helpfulness of the communication via this list in clarifying issues?
not at all helpful 4.2%
somewhat helpful 1.4%
helpful 11.3%
more helpful 31.0%
very helpful 47.9%
no answer 4.2%

On a scale of 1-5, how would you rate the helpfulness of the communication via this list in keeping you up to date with school issues?
not at all helpful 4.2%
somewhat helpful 4.2%
helpful 1.4%
more helpful 23.9%
very helpful 63.4%
no answer 2.8%

Would you say that having school issues communicated to you via this list has made you feel more involved in these issues than you felt prior to subscribing to this list?
yes 81.7%
no 12.7%
no answer 4.2%

On a scale of 1-5, how do you rate the reply function of this list?
not important 2.8%
somewhat important 2.8%
important 11.3%
very important 19.7%
most important 56.3%
no answer 7.0%

Would you say that your participation in public meetings regarding school issues has increased, decreased or stayed the same since you became a member of this mailing list?
increased 12.7%
decreased 2.8%
same 78.9%
no answer 5.6%

Would you attribute an increase in your attendance at public meetings on school issues to the communication from this list?
yes 12.7%
no 38.0%
no answer 49.3%

How many times have you called a public official or school administrator as a result of communication exchanged via this list?
None 59.2%
1 to 5 times 31.0%
6 to 10 times 2.8%
no answer 7.0%

How many times have you written a letter to an elected official or school administrator as a result of communication exchanged via this list?
None 42.3%
1 to 5 times 50.7%
6 to 10 times 2.8%
no answer 4.2%

How many times have you spoken at a public meeting as a result of a communication exchanged via this list?
None 85.9%
1 to 5 times 4.2%
no answer 9.9%

Have you told other people whom you thought might be interested about this list?
yes 53.5%
no 36.6%
no answer 9.9%

Would you be willing to participate in a follow up interview by electronic mail?
yes 54.9%
no 36.6%
no answer 8.5%

Please direct any questions or comments to:
Andrea Kavanaugh, Ph.D.
Director of Research
Blacksburg Electronic Village
Virginia Tech
1872 Pratt Drive, Suite 1500
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0514
tel: (540) 231-5488
fax: (540) 231-3327
email: kavan@vt.edu

-Jim Klagge.

email: admin@gisone.com