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Loudoun County Schools
With Edgar B. Hatrick III, superintendent
Thursday, Aug. 30, 2001; 11 a.m. EDT
As superintendent of Loudoun schools, Edgar B. Hatrick III leads a district of 35,000 students. The district includes both rural and urban settings, as the Washington metropolitan area continues to expand to the west, and it's Hatrick's job to keep pace with the growing population.
The transcript follows.
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washingtonpost.com:
We would like to welcome Edgar B. Hatrick III, Loudoun County School Superintendent. Being in a position with such a large student body, how do you keep pace with the growing population in Loudoun Co.? Is there added pressure being in the "tech corridor" of Northern Virginia?
Edgar B. Hatrick III: Keeping pace with our growing student population is a real challenge for all of us in Loudoun, but we are now quite experienced in growth. We find that focusing on our students and communication with one another are keys to success. The pressure associated with the tech corridor is good pressure. Families and companies moving into Loudoun have high expectations for education but are also very supportive.
Centreville, Va.:
What plans do you have specifically to keep up with the growing counties in the area like Fairfax and Montgomery Co. in Maryland?
Edgar B. Hatrick III: We are actually growing faster than Montgomery or Fairfax. To be competitive with those counties we have significantly raised teachers' salaries over the past two years. We are now on par with Fairfax in salaries. In terms of school facilities, we will open 11 new schools in the next two years in addition to the three that opened this year and the 17 that opened in last ten years.
Dupont Circle:
I am currently a young professional working as a pr/marketing specialist in the non-profit sector. I am interested in changing my career path and becoming a teacher. I know there is a shortage of teachers in this area and was wondering what type of alternative certification opportunities your district offers? Whom should I contact or where can I look to learn more?
Thanks!
Edgar B. Hatrick III: There are alternative licensure options available from the state. I would recommend contacting one of the local universities to inquire about their "career switcher" programs that allow you to become licensed to teach. How difficult the process is depends on your undergraduate field of study. You can obtain information about job opportunities in Loudoun at our website: www.loudoun.k12.va.us. I always recommend that those who think they might want to be teachers try substituting for a while.
Northern Va:
What qualities do you look for in your new teachers? If someone hadn't done well in college and hadn't majored in education, but years later is motivated to teach and does well in teacher preparation classes, would this person have as good a chance to be hired as someone fresh from college?
Edgar B. Hatrick III: Every case is unique, but a strong showing in teacher preparation and in student teaching can balance previous shortcomings. You might have to "prove" yourself in a long-term substitute job, but it's worth it if you really want to be a teacher and have what it takes.
Leesburg:
How do you think the SOLs affect teaching? Are students not learning as many other things because of empasis on the tests?
Edgar B. Hatrick III: In Loudoun and other school divisions, we are trying very hard to keep the SOL tests in proper persepective. They are important tests because the state has put a high premium on them, but our teachers have worked hard to imbed SOL requirements in our curriculum without losing the rich experiences that we want our students to have.
Washington D.C.:
As superintendent of Loudoun Schools, what has been your biggest challenge thus far?
Edgar B. Hatrick III: I have been superintendent in Loduoun for ten years and have been an educator here for 35 years. The biggest challenge I have faced has been to deal with growth that makes us the fastest growing school system in Virginia and one of the five fastest growing in America. The good news is that there is strong community support for our schools that has allowed us to build schools on time as needed and to have a fully funded operating budget for the past two years.
McLean, VA:
We plan to move next year to a farm in Lovettsville, VA when my son will be entering 9th grade. I'd really like to know how the Loudoun County high schools compare (Loudoun Valley High specifically) to Fairfax County and specifically to McLean High School.
Edgar B. Hatrick III: I would urge you to visit Loudoun Valley High School to find out for yourself, but I can assure you that your son will find all the challenges and opportunities at Loudoun Valley that he finds at McLean. You might check Loudoun Valley's website for a first look.
Ashburn, VA:
Dear Dr Hatrick,
One of my concerns is
the growing supply lists that they are
bringing home.
Can supply lists be standardized across the
county and a reasonable dollar limit applied?
It would be reassuring to know that all 6th
graders need $45 of supplies regardless of
the school.
And can classrooms be completely stocked with
scissors and rulers and kleenex? It seems
silly to make kids carry these items around
with them all day along with colored pencils,
markers, highlighters, and a compass and
protractor.
Thanks for your time
Edgar B. Hatrick III: I'll pass your suggestion on to the Department of Instruction. Sounds like a reasonable request to me.
Sterling, VA:
Hello The north eastern end of the county has most of the elementary schools at capacity. We will have to wait for two years for relief with the openning of Cromwell. We have no room for any more students now. What is the administration planning to do to alleviate the overcrowded conditions for the next two years? Seldon's Landing has opened at less then half their capacity; will the choice be to move the special needs classes there, to alleviate the overcrowded conditions that exist?
Edgar B. Hatrick III: Some relief will come to the eastern end of the county with the opening of Forest Grove ES next year, but the real balancing of the east north of Route 7 will come with the school on Cromwell Road--vote YES for the bond referendum this fall. We look at the location of special classes, but we try to put those classes where most of the students live to the greatest extent possible. Seldens Landing has a number of special classes now.
Lovettsville, VA:
How are you supporting Students who need alternate methods of learning other than "teaching the SOLS" or rote memorization? Do you feel that different students learn differently?
Edgar B. Hatrick III: I hope that individual schools and individual classroom teachers are addressing the need you describe. I certainly believe that different students learn differently.
Ashburn, VA:
I am not sure I agree with your statement regarding SOL's. Last year our 8th grader spent 4 weeks on priming for the SOL test and not doing anything new in the curriculum. I do not see this changing. Studying to a test is not the answer.
Edgar B. Hatrick III: It's hard to answer your concern directly (with almost 32,000 students in classrooms of almost 3,000 teachers last year), but I hope you share your concern with your school's teachers and principal. Preparation for the SOL tests is important, but we hope to keep it in balance.
Dulles:
Do you have any partnerships with area tech companies to give h.s. students training?
Edgar B. Hatrick III: Individual schools establish partnerships for mentoring. We also have a School Business Partnership Executive Council that facilitates such partnerships. If you know a tech company that is interested in providing training, please put them in touch with me directly or with our department of instruction at loudoun.k12.va.us
Centreville, Va.:
After you open the new schools, will that be enough to solve crowding? Or are more needed in the near future?
Edgar B. Hatrick III: We believe that we will need to continue building new schools to accommodate new students for the foreseeable future. Changes in development patterns will affect student enrollment growth, but proably not much in the next six years or so.
Harrisonburg, VA:
How difficult is it to find suitable sites for all the school buildings and programs needed with the expected student population increases? And do you worry about the November school bond referendum not passing?
Edgar B. Hatrick III: I take nothing for granted, so I always worry about bond referenda, but I also know that Loudoun's citizens understand well the need for new and renovated schools, so I have confidence that the bond will pass--last year's passed by 75%. Finding suitable sites is extremely difficult. Our inventory of "proffered" sites is now almost exhausted, so we are having to purchase sites. In one case we are even having to use our power of condemnation to obtain a middle school site that was needed almost a year ago.
Loudoun County:
Hello Mr. Hatrick,
Loudoun County Schools are one of only a few
Metro districts that do not practice an
International Baccalaureate (IB) program.
This is tremendously disappointing, given
Loudoun's socioeconomic status and supposed
educated citizenry! Please explain, if you will? When can parents expect concrete action
toward implementing this education reform
standard?
Thank you, and have a productive school year.
Edgar B. Hatrick III: In Loudoun we have chosen to offer a strong Advanced Placement program in our high schools rather than the IB. Many school districts do offer IB in some schools, but we choose to offer AP in all of our high schools. We continue to look at the IB program, but for now we believe that AP course offerings combined with a strong Honors curriculum meet our students' needs and assure them admission to the college of choice as well as college credit. Both IB and AP are respected programs.
South VA:
Do you need an education degree to be able to teach in Loudoun? I have a BS in Computer Science and I thought it would be nice to teach computers to elementary school students and be with my kids in the summers. What are my chances?
Edgar B. Hatrick III: Giving licensure advice is always dangerous, but a BS in computer science should be useful in obtaining a teaching position. Our Technology Resource Teachers are master teachers who have obtained additonal training in computer technology, but your indiviudal case would have to be evaluated to get a good answer. Have you considered teaching computer science in high school?
Leesburg:
Did you fill all of your teacher and principal vacancies this year, or do you still have some openings? What happens to classes without a permanent teacher?
Edgar B. Hatrick III: We did fill all of our vacancies this year, with the exception of one or two special education positions that are still open. There may be a few more as the situation changes almost daily. See our web site at loudoun.k12.va.us for up to the minute listings. Classes without a permanent teacher are staffed by a substitute. We try to find a substitute licensed in the teaching area if we expect the vacancy to continue for more than a short time.
Sterling, VA:
The dress code in the secondary schools has become very specific. It is difficult to find girls shorts that even meet the requirements. Has the administration thought of establishing a school uniform policy?
Edgar B. Hatrick III: The clothing situation this year is as difficult as it has been for a number of years. Frankly, I have been disappointed in the fashions being pushed for young girls in particular. The answer to low rise pants is a tucked in shirt. With regard to shorts that are too short the only answer I know is to buy pants and cut them off to an appropriate length. As long as these "fashions" sell manufacturers will keep promoting them. In Loudoun the general rule is no bare midriffs and no short-shorts among other guidelines.
Centreville, Va.:
Are there plans to readjust school boundaries again this year?
Edgar B. Hatrick III: School boundary adjustments are necessary every year. This year we will have elementary boundary adjustments in the southern part of the county, I know. You can find out where other boundary adjustments will be by calling our Planning Office (703) 771-6400 or by visiting our website and going to the planning office: www.loudoun.k12.va.us
Purcellville, VA:
To McLean soon to be Lovettsville - Martin Sheen, after the filming of West Wing in Bluemont on Sunday said our Valley marching band was the most polite and well behaved group of teenagers he'd ever met! How's that for great feedback?!
Dr Hatrick - any plans to bring a Strings Program to Loudoun? That's the only thing we've missed moving from Fairfax Co.
Edgar B. Hatrick III: No surprise in Mr. Sheen's assessment. Strings are here! The first phase was funded in this year's budget--finally. It will take a while to reach the high school, but stay tuned.
Sterling, VA:
Hello. It is my understanding that our grading system requires higher marks (i.e 93-100 =A v. 90-100) to achieve an A, B, C, etc. than most other school districts in the country. Although I am in favor of continuing to improve the education we provide our students, doesn't this situation put Loudoun students at a disadvantage for college acceptance by making it appear their GPAs are lower than students from other districts and particularly other states? Thanks.
Edgar B. Hatrick III: We've just made an adjustment to our grading scale after much study that involved parents, teachers, students, and representatives of colleges and universities. We continue to be assured that the reputation of our schools is strong; therefore, colleges and universities know that an A in Loudoun projects an A in college. The Deans of Admission for Virginia and North Carolina colleges and universities assure us that our students are not at a disadvantage. Our grading scale, by the way, is in line with most school divisions in Virginia. Colleges and universities compare student performance with peers in their school, look at the difficulty of courses attempted, and develop a "profile" on the success of previous school graduates who attended the college or university.
Ashburn, VA:
Dr. Hatrick:
My son is in Futura (the gifted and talented program for grades 4 and 5 in Loudoun County) and loves the one day a week when his curriculum is challenging and engaging. How can LCPS expand the regular curriculum for gifted students so that he and other gifted students also look forward to the other four days in the week?
Edgar B. Hatrick III: We hope that all of our classes are challenging, but often students who are identified as gifted find FUTURA to be the extra challenge we intended. I think it's important for us to work with students to help them find ways they can challenge themselves every day through enrichment activities. You might want to talk to your child's FUTURA teacher to get some ideas.
Charlottesville, VA:
Some school systems have offered schools which provide bilingual classes-- half the day in English and half the day in, say, Spanish. Among other advantages, this can be an important means for English speakers to learn a foreign language. Does Loudon have any such programs, and, if not, is it considering them?
Edgar B. Hatrick III: We do not plan to offer bilingual education classes, but we have begun a program of elementary foreign language study that will eventually offer every elementary student in every elementary school instruction in Spanish as part of their regular school day. We understand how ready young students are to master more than one language. Ten schools are participating in our FLES (Foreign Language Elementary School) pilot this year in kindergarten and first grade.
Ashburn, VA:
My daughter wanted to sign up for the American Sign Language courses being offered at her HS. She was discouraged by the Guidance Counselor who said that most colleges do not accept ASL as a language requirement. Can you shed some light on if the counselor was right or wrong? Thanks.
Edgar B. Hatrick III: My understanding is that ASL is not yet universally accepted as a course to meet foreign language entrance requirements. I would suggest checking with colleges in which your daughter is interested to find out what their admission requirements are and whether they count ASL as a "foreign language" for admission. ASL certainly makes a wonderful elective also.
Wash, DC:
I am tired of hearing about how even though there is a teacher shortage, motivated, smart people who really want to teach (but don't have that certificate) are told to become long-term substitutes. I'm sorry, but I'd rather have my kid taught by someone with a Harvard degree and an alternative certification than someone with lower-than-average motivation/intelligence and a certificate. Does that make me a snob? Maybe. But I have seen the capabilities of some of these people who come out of "Teacher Mill" universities and it makes me want to send my kid to a private school with well-pedigreed teachers.
Edgar B. Hatrick III: I'm not sure if there is a question here, but what I am suggesting is that those who want to get into the teaching profession and do not immediately find a job should consider long term substituting to establish themselves in a school and a system. I wish a degree from any university (including Harvard) assured a good teacher, but my 35 years' experience (with an undergraduate degree in English from a liberal arts university) tells me that a degree alone does not a teacher make.
washingtonpost.com:
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