Candidate Q&A: Thomas Mercer

What makes you the best candidate?

Experience. My 12 years on the board have provided me with a wealth of knowledge concerning Chesapeake Public Schools and public education. All the candidates are wonderful people with a desire to serve the students and citizens of Chesapeake. At least one will serve for the first time on the board. I have a knowledge, both historical and practical, that can only be learned with time and experience. I am as committed today as when I first came on the board.

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

Success for our students should always be our top priority. Chesapeake has sought to provide a safe learning environment where teachers can teach and students can achieve. This is achieved through an emphasis on school safety, providing teachers with the needed resources, and having high expectations for all students. Not all reach their goals at the same time or in the same way, but all children can achieve.

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

The hiring of outstanding teachers. The state of Virginia does not graduate enough teachers to fill vacancies. We must continue to expand our endeavors. We must lobby the General Assembly to provide a teacher loan for service program that matches or exceeds neighboring states. We must continue to provide a family environment and a pay and benefits package that brings the best here.

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

Like our current superintendent, I would look for someone with an outstanding commitment to education and a love for the Chesapeake Public Schools’ family. The person should have good communication skills, an instructional background and a background of fiscal responsibility. Above all, he or she must have a focus on student achievement, quality instruction, and listening to the concerns of teachers, students, parents and the community.

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

Improving student achievement is a goal to which we all aspire. Chesapeake has done a great job meeting the goals of the Standards and No Child Left Behind. Our citywide scores show a commitment on the part of teachers, students, parents and administrators. The standards show that, on the items measured, we match up well with students throughout the state. Yet testing only measures one part of student achievement. The creative element of education must be balanced. This is a frustration to our teachers that must be addressed.

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

Achievement for all students must be the top priority. We do have a problem, and we are trying to address it. The School System has initiated a number of programs such as differentiated instruction, balanced literacy, lowering class sizes, full-day kindergarten in Title I schools, early pre-school education, AVID, and balanced literacy. These have helped to close the gap.