The Virginian-Pilot
©
VIRGINIA BEACH
Dan Lowe, the "elder statesman" of the School Board, has stepped down as the Bayside representative.
After 11 years, "it was time," he said Friday. Lowe, 76, said he needs to be available for his large, extended family in Graniteville, S.C., and locally. School Board obligations make that difficult, he said.
Almost all of his 10 living siblings and their families live in South Carolina or Georgia, he said, and he felt he could no longer dedicate the 15 hours or so per week that he typically spends on board work.
Lowe resigned in a letter Thursday afternoon to School Board Chairman Dan Edwards. He skipped a board meeting a day earlier after deciding to quit.
"It was hard to walk out the front door," he said of leaving the School Administration Building as a board member for the last time.
Edwards, who was elected at the same time as Lowe, said Lowe's major contribution was "his common sense and stability."
"He's been the elder statesman who doesn't say much, but when he does, everybody listens," Edwards said.
Neil Rose, who served on the board with Lowe from 1998 to 2004, said Lowe "always did his homework. We didn't always agree on how to do things, but he worked hard to do what he thought was right."
Lowe had a 20-year career with the Navy, including a stint in the Korean War, plus an extended second career in civil service and management before running for School Board in 1998.
Active in his civic league, he ran on a platform of gaining full state accreditation for Beach schools, which happened in 2005. He ran unopposed in 2002 and 2006.
"He took representing his constituents very, very seriously," said Jane Brooks, who was elected with Lowe in 1998 and served until 2006.
Lowe said he is particularly proud of the division's academy programs, improved technology and dual-enrollment with local colleges.
He sat on a committee two years ago that evaluated the building needs of all Beach schools and successfully pushed to double board member pay to $12,000 a year in 2007.
Lowe said he had planned to serve out his term and retire.
But a six-month extension of current members' terms, the result of a change in election dates, would have kept him in office until Dec. 31, 2010. That was too long, he said.
The board will appoint someone to fill the rest of his term by the first meeting in January. Applications to fill the seat are due to the board clerk by 10 a.m. on Nov. 25, Edwards said.
Lauren Roth, (757) 222-5133, lauren.roth@pilotonline.com
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Dan Lowe
After eleven years of dedicated service that has consistently improved several aspects of our schools and ultimately our community, one would have to assume that "santa" is unaware of how selfless and commited Dan Lowe has been to the Va. Beach School Board. Dan Lowe's track record speaks for itself and to make such inaccurate accusations is almost laughable.
Too Bad
it isn't Dan Edwards who is resigning. Unfortunately, he doesn't know when he has overstayed his 'welcome.'
Pepople need to read the info
Santa's comment is typical of the knee jerk reactions which is bringing humanity down. Read, digest, then opine. You just blasted a person who is not even the subject of the article.
What's Surprising
What's surprising here is that Santa actually made a comment on this site without attacking Mayor Sessoms. I didn't think that was actually possible.
Dan Low
Dan has always put the needs of the students and the personnel at the forefront of his decision making. He has been a leader, who is thoughtful as well as logical in defining the needs of our school division. The Virginia Beach Public School system is a better place for having Dan Low as a Board member. His dedication has been a tremendous asset to us all. It is also my pleasure and honor to call him friend. Thank you Dan for what you have done for us all.
Shame on you Dan Edwards.
Dan Edwards was never a proponent nor a supporter of teachers, the backbone of the school system. He has said on more than one occasion that teachers were a liability to the budget process. Resigning on such short notice for the reasons given are a self-serving way out of obligations he made to the electorate (even though I never agreed with his philosophy). Resigning immediately was a slap in the face to the Virginia Beach citizens that elected him.
Dan Edwards or Dan Lowe?
Is your problem with Board Chair Dan Edwards who is still in office or Dan Lowe, the one who is actually retiring early, and the one who the article is about.
Great man
Dan Lowe has consistently been a thoughtful, insightful leader on the School Board throughout his terms of service. Whomever is selected to finish his term will have huge shoes to fill.
Dan Lowe has always been communicative, helpful and accessible and a model for future public servants.