Fissinger won't run again for Virginia Beach School Board

VIRGINIA BEACH

After one term, outspoken at-large School Board member Ed Fissinger has said he won't run again.

Several people have already filed to run for his seat.

Fissinger, a financial advise r, initially clashed with fellow board members as he fought to give employees a voice.

Since being elected in 2004, Fissinger has mellowed, but maintained a passion for perceived underdogs, from teachers to students in summer school. He also pushed the School Board to define a philosophy and procedures for opening and closing school-based academies.

Board Chairman Dan Edwards said he wished Fissinger weren't leaving.

"He just obviously had a good, strong financial acumen and brought a lot of good ideas from a father of children who are in the school system," Edwards said.

Fissinger said he didn't think he could maintain the same level of enthusiasm for the job for another four years, and he wants to dedicate more time to his family and business.

But he will leave satisfied.

"This is a School Board that's changed a great deal," he said. They are more open to criticism and discuss issues more openly, he said.

Fissinger holds one of two at-large seats that will be up for grabs in November. Board Vice Chair Rita Sweet Bellitto is running, as are challengers Patrick Salyer, Mavel Velasco and Gertrude "Bunny" Waugh. The spots will go to the top two vote-getters.

Candidates have until 7 p.m. next Tuesday to file their paperwork.

Edwards is running to retain his Centerville seat, as is Sandra Smith-Jones in Kempsville. Michael Stewart of Rose Hall has not filed paperwork but said he will run again.

No one has yet filed to run for the Princess Anne seat that Lyndon Remias vacated to take the city auditor's job, but the board plans to name a temporary replacement tonight during its meeting at the School Administration Building.

Lauren Roth, (757) 222-5133, lauren.roth@pilotonline.com