UpDate - Vol. 13, No. 25, Page 10
March 24, 1994
James Kent serves community through school board

     Education is James Kent's foremost concern both on and off the job.
Kent, an associate professor of physical education, teaches University
students to become secondary school physical education teachers. In the
community, he serves as president of the Christina Board of Education.
     With two children attending schools in the district in the early '80s,
Kent was involved in a parents/citizens advisory committee where he
learned about educational issues facing the district firsthand. Elected to
school board membership in 1984, he has served as president since 1986 and
is up for re-election this May.
     Kent said his two jobs dovetail to an extent. His teaching
responsibilities take him into local high schools where he gets a feeling
of what is happening and what is of general concern. His office on campus
is a short distance from the Christina School District headquarters so he
can drop in regularly to touch base with administrators there.
     Kent said he feels that students in the district receive a quality
education. The teachers are dedicated and committed to their profession as
they face a variety of challenges. In the district, a program of site-based
management is being put into place, giving teachers, principals and other
school-based administrators more control of their own schools.
     Kent works closely with Iris T. Metts, superintendent of schools in
the Christina School District. In a recent letter of appreciation to
President David P. Roselle, Metts wrote that Kent has "special qualities in
facilitating and reconciling differences among groups....He has been at the
forefront in issues involving restructuring and technology improvement and
has steadfastly promoted accountability and excellence in the Christina
School District....We appreciate the University's cooperation and support
of Jim's efforts and hope that continued support on the part of the
University is forthcoming as Jim continues to assume a pivotal role of
leadership on the Christina Board of Education."
                                                  -Sue Swyers Moncure