Joseph Vogric's announcement at the May 13 School Board meeting was not a surprise for John Andrews (Broad Run).
"Being on a School Board requires a lot of personal time. Being chairman of a School Board is a full-time job," Andrews said about Vogric (Dulles), chairman for the past three years and a board member since 1994. "With his added responsibility at his job and his personal commitment of visiting his [three] children every other weekend in Long Island, I don't know how he's been physically able to do what he's been doing in the past two years."
Vogric reflected on the School District's successes during his service with three consecutive school boards before making his announcement, a decision he came to about a month ago. He urged "members of the community to step up to the challenge," explaining that being a member of the School Board is not a political position. "The most important quality required for this office is the interest and passion for a school system that will best serve the needs of our children," he said.
VOGRIC, an Ashburn Farm resident, serves as director of business management for Northrop Grumman Information Technology in Falls Church. "This type of job I can't control. I have to support what goes on in the organization," he said, explaining that at times he has to be at two different places at once and finds it difficult to attend some school-related meetings and events. "I just cannot seem to dedicate the time I feel that this demanding public service position deserves," he had said to the board. "I'm always busy, no doubt about it."
"I had a feeling he was going to do this," said Warren Geurin (Sterling), mentioning Vogric's job and family visits. "He's served the citizens very well. He's served the School Board very well. ... He's helped move the School Board toward taking a close look at accommodating new students" and building and renovating school buildings. "He's done a good job."
"Joe is somebody that adds stability and even leadership," Andrews said. "In a single word, he just emphasized what leadership is all about."
Vogric will step down at the end of December before the newly elected board takes office in January. School Board members Candyce Cassell (Sugarland Run) and Thomas Reed (At large) filed their paperwork with the Office of the Registrar. Geurin announced last week his intention to run but has not filed any paperwork, which is due June 10. Robert DuPree (Dulles), who has not yet filed the paperwork, is also running for a second term.
Andrews and Geary Higgins (Catoctin) filed to run for the Potomac and Catoctin seats on the Board of Supervisors.
"I'll miss being involved at the level I had been," Vogric said. "The thing I'll miss the most is the opportunity to go to different schools and performances. ... It's been a privilege and an honor to serve the kids in Loudoun County."
Vogric offered his assistance and to answer questions for residents seeking a position on the School Board.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, William Brazier, supervisor for social sciences, gave a report on the adoption of social science textbooks, which are renewed every six years as mandated by the state.
The Social Science Textbook Adoption Committee formed in October 2002 to help select K-12 social science textbooks and support materials. Elementary and social science teachers reviewed the texts, which will be on display in each school and at the North Street Administration Building until board approval. The School Board is scheduled to make a final decision on May 27.
"Scholarship is always changing in these fields," Brazier said. "People are finding out things about history and social sciences all the time, so these texts need to be updated."
The textbooks are estimated to cost $1.9 million not including shipping costs. Some of the textbooks will include compact discs of the books' material.
The textbook committee has 31 members, including administrators, teachers and parents.