Candidate Q&A: Melvin O. Marriner

What makes you the best candidate?

I possess interpersonal skills that foster cooperation; an optimistic attitude that all students can learn; and the understanding of the mission of education. As a pastor, my commitment to the objective of education will always outweigh any personal bias, and my service to the educational system will have a global importance. I will ensure that every child has relevant and innovative approaches for educational success.

What should be the school district's top priority now, and how can it be achieved?

One of the top priorities should be continuation of educational excellence and competitive national salaries, while observing budgetary restraints. Under mandates that measure educational growth by standardized testing alone, it is imperative that we ensure that critical and creative thinking skills are developed by all students to produce lifelong learners. Reduction in class size and creative funding for programs should also be considered.

What do you think will be the school district's most pressing issue in 10 years, and how can the board prepare for it?

A pressing issue will involve the ability of our students to be competitive globally under our current federal/state mandates. The board must seek innovative programs and funding to provide alternative opportunities or careers for those who may not matriculate to higher education. The attitude of simply maintaining must be alleviated, and we must propel our students to be steps ahead of the rest.

The new board may hire a new superintendent in the coming years – what qualities will you seek in a new leader?

I will search for a superintendent who has a historical profile of being a critical and creative thinker; who engages in crucial and open dialogue; and who promotes positive morale without intimidation. The new superintendent would need to be able to implement successful leadership and managerial techniques, while seeking to assure job satisfaction and educational excellence. He/she must use a practical systematic approach in reaching the school system’s goals.

How effective are Virginia's Standards of Learning and the national No Child Left Behind initiatives in raising student achievement?

While NCLB and Virginia’s SOL was designed to measure, student achievement, enforce educational equality, and evaluate school performance, it does not provide for many other necessary ingredients for academic success. Students may master the subject content, but are depending less on critical, creative and cognitive skills. The structure could be enhanced for students with special needs in preparing them to transition into the world.

What can the school board do to address the longstanding achievement gap between different groups of students?

There should be an honest and direct approach to understanding economic and cultural differences in how students learn. There is a need to increase partnerships between school and community that support different learning styles, a reduction in class size and identifying credible, community tutorial programs. The School Board must ensure that all students have the best and earliest opportunity to learn in an environment that guarantees academic success.