Staffing

in Fayette County schools is becoming more

diverse, according to Fred Oliver, assistant

superintendent.

Today

there are four principals and two assistant

principals who are African Americans, Oliver told

members of the Fayette County Branch of the

National Association for the Advancement of

Colored People Saturday.

Asked

whether there is a minority quota system or

tracking system within the school system, Oliver

told the group that the percentage of minorities

working in the schools is not tracked, nor is

there a quota system. "We look at the best

possible candidate. If you walk in off the street

and you're an African American, if you are not

qualified, we will not put you in the

classroom," he said.

Oliver

advised parents of children attending Fayette

County schools to "stay involved."

"If

you have a problem, go face to face... visit your

schools," he said. Parents concerned about

whether their high school students are on track

should get involved by meeting with their

children's guidance counselors to determine the

correct academic course for their success, he

said.

Citing

the strengths of Fayette public schools, Oliver

added, "One thing we're really proud of is

our test scores on the SAT's (Standard

Achievement Tests) were above the national and

state averages. McIntosh High School was 25

points above."

Oliver

gave a brief overview of the upcoming sales

tax/bond referendum, emphasizing that the school

board's number one priority is to buy land for

additional schools. "The alternative to the

1 percent sales tax is another bond, which would

increase property taxes," he said.

"We're

going to have school regardless," Oliver

commented, referring to passage or failure of the

referendum. Defeat of the sales tax/bond

referendum could result in increased class size,

double sessions and year-round school, he said.

"The smaller the classes, the better they

are... Double sessions are not good for families

or kids," he said.

Oliver

is a native of Rome, Ga. He was awarded a

basketball scholarship to Lincoln University in

Missouri, where he graduated with a degree in

education. He taught science in schools in St.

Louis, Mo. and obtained an advance degree before

returning south to Marietta and holding several

teaching and administrative positions. After a

brief administrative stint in Norfolk, Va., he

became assistant superintendent of operations for

Fayette County schools and was promoted to

assistant superintendent this year.