By Wendy Pagonis

Archives Reprint

    The search is just starting for Roanoke's new superintendent, but school officials say it could take more than a year before a new leader fills Wayne Harris' position.

    Harris, 58, announced with the Roanoke School Board on Monday morning that he will vacate the superintendent's position June 30, then remain on paid leave until he retires Dec. 31.

    On Tuesday, school board Chairwoman Gloria Manns said the board must meet to decide how to go about finding Harris' replacement. She expects the search will last a year to 18 months.

    "This is a drawn-out process," she said.

    Harris' previous contract was to expire in June 2006, and the school board likely would have started to search for his replacement in January 2005 had he not opted to retire early, Manns said. After nearly 11 years as Roanoke's school superintendent, Harris is now the city's highest-paid employee with more than $200,000 in annual salary and benefits.

    The new superintendent will likely have less experience than Harris' 36 years and would thus earn less money, Manns said.

    The school board will contact the Virginia School Boards Association for help in finding a new superintendent. The association offers the same services as private executive recruiters, or headhunters, but for less money because Roanoke is a VSBA member.

    According to the association's executive director, Frank Barham , professional headhunters usually charge between $15,000 and $30,000 per job search. His association charges only the search's costs, which include advertising nationally and checking references.

    Before the school board would talk to a candidate, the association checks the person's credit history, criminal background and previous job record, Barham said.

    A search usually takes 30 to 60 days, but, for larger school divisions such as Fairfax County, Barham said it could take six months to a year. State law limits the amount of time an acting superintendent can serve to 160 days. The school board has to have hired a permanent superintendent by then or the state school board will appoint one, Barham said.

    Teacher Anita Price, president of the Roanoke Education Association, said the most important issue to teachers, at least right now, is how the schools investigate teachers accused of abusing students. Teachers want more support from administrators and consequences for students who lie. But Price said the input teachers give school board members in the hunt for a new superintendent may be limited to informal meetings after the school board nears the end of its search rather than in the beginning.

    "Historically, in the past, teachers themselves are not called upon to help with the search," Price said Tuesday. "I do feel somewhat better about our recent lines of communication: They are improving."

    Teachers have been calling Price, she said, to make sure she speaks with the school board about Harris' replacement. Price also said she hopes the school board will look within the division.

    "Teachers have been very concerned about making sure our concerns are heard," Price said. "We hope there may be someone who has the credentials and the expertise to at least serve as interim superintendent and, who knows, could go on and serve as the next superintendent."

    Catherine Lassiter, principal of William Ruffner Middle School, said students should see no changes during the months that Roanoke searches for its next superintendent because principals manage the school campuses.

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