Jenkins wants security improvements in schools

Rhonda Simmons / Culpeper Star Exponent
Published: October 19, 2007

Culpeper native Rusty Jenkins believes he has what it takes to represent the Catalpa District on the Culpeper County School Board.

And he hopes voters agree with him on Nov. 6.

With a 27-year history in law enforcement, the 48-year-old administrative assistant to the chief of police says can tackle some school security issues.

"I'd like to see when they build new schools that anybody that comes in that main entrance is entering the office at that point," said Jenkins. "It's not a hallway, not a foyer. It's directly into the office."

"That way, you don't have a question if somebody slipped by or you didn't see somebody," he explained. "I feel like, as a security standpoint, I have a lot of knowledge."

In June, incumbent Bobby Jenkins (no relation) announced that he would not seek re-election.

Rusty Jenkins, who has also worked as a resource officer for four years and taught law enforcement classes at the high school, says security could be improved.

He also suggested relying more on school resource officers for any additional security needs.

* Educational and professional background: After graduating from Culpeper County High School in 1978, Jenkins went on to earn an associate's degree in police science from Germanna Community College.

He is seeking a business management degree from GCC. Although, he's still unclear which four-year college he wants to attend.

Jenkins married his wife, Sue, 21 years ago. She's a math specialist at Emerald Hill Elementary School. They have no children.

He has been in his current position with the Town Police Department for the last four years.

Before that, he worked for the Culpeper County Sheriff's Office and as a police officer with the town.

Jenkins says he's the better candidate because he's been "more involved in the school system and listens to people in the community more."

"I feel like I can make a difference on the School Board," he said.

* On the budget: Jenkins says his experience working with the chief of police on annual financial statements qualifies him for the job.

Last month, CCPS Superintendent David Cox presented his preliminary proposal, a $17 million increase to the fiscal year 2009 operating budget to the School Board.

"Anybody in their right mind knows that they're not going to get that," Jenkins said, who attended that presentation in September. "So it comes to priorities."

Next fall, the county will open its second high school, Eastern View, and its sixth elementary school, Yowell.

"We have to hire staff," he said. "You really have to concentrate on opening those two new schools. At the same time you have to concentrate on keeping the personnel."

Jenkins says that's definitely going to a balancing act.
He suggests that the School Board examine Cox's budget proposal line by line.

"Instead of just rubber-stamping it from the superintendent and sending it over to Spencer Street to the county board," Jenkins said. "I think we need to know what's in that budget item for item, dollar for dollar."

Jenkins says he's aware of the obstacle to hire new staff coupled with increasing the salaries of existing teachers.

"I think we compete regionally as far as the counties around us," he said. "But we also need to look at filling positions that we need."

Jenkins says it's time to go back and "define what we need, what we have and where we're going."

* On standards of learning: And when it comes to Standards of Learning requirements, Jenkins says he sees both sides.

"I think it should be something that you gauge what students are learning by," he said. "I realize that it's a federal program that the states have to go by. Sometimes when you look at the standards of quality and they're not geared toward Virginia per se."

"They have to make it fit," he said. "At times, I think it's too strict in some ways, but you have to have something to gauge to make sure everybody's learning at the same level and everybody's moving along."

* On transportation: If elected, Jenkins said he would like to address the issue of not having enough bus drivers in Culpeper.

"Pay has something to do with it for bus drivers," he said. "I don't know too many part-time jobs where you have to put up with the stress and the responsibility that those bus drivers have to put up with."

Administrators need to support bus drivers when it comes to disciplining students, according to Jenkins.

Jenkins said bus drivers are disappointed if a disruptive child gets turned in and school administrators allow that child right back on the bus the next day.

"That has a huge effect on drivers," he said.

In addition to that stress, Jenkins suggests allowing bus drivers to alternate their schedules between elementary and secondary schools.

* On cell phones and dress code: In June, the School Board voted in favor of implementing a stricter cell phone policy. They also addressed the current dress code policies.

And Jenkins agrees with that.

"It's a day and age where everybody has a cell phone," he said. "However, there's a place for them. As long as they keep them turned off and out of sight."

"But, they shouldn't be seen during school hours," he added.
As far as the dress code, he believes it's good thing.

"It's hard to look at someone and say that you're violating the dress code, but when somebody else might be real close and you don't say anything, uniforms will help eliminate that."

And to clarify, Jenkins describes a uniform as khaki pants and a polo shirt.

"Something that everybody can afford," he said.

Jenkins says he is the right candidate for the job.

"I want to get involved with the community," he said. "I see where some changes need to made. I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with the school system, I just feel like there's needs to be some changes."

As a community, he says, "it's time to think outside of the box."
He says his largest connection with the school system is his wife, Sue, a math specialist at Emerald Hill Elementary.

In addition to that, he volunteers for Fun Fairs and owns and operates Culpeper Driving School, a driver education class.

"I enjoy working with the kids," he said. "I really like interacting with the kids."

Rhonda Simmons can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 125 or .