The Virginian-Pilot
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CHESAPEAKE
School Board Chairwoman Sheila Hill-Russ lost her seat Tuesday night, while two newcomers won spots in Chesapeake's school board elections.
Bonita Billingsley Harris and Christie New Craig will join incumbents Harry Murphy, Michael J. Woods, and James A. "Jay" Leftwich, who were re-elected. Leftwich was the top vote-getter with
13.64 percent of the vote.
There were five open seats on the board this election. Board member Barbara Head opted not to run.
Craig, the chief of staff for Chesapeake Del. John Cosgrove, said she believes voters wanted a new perspective - and also someone with a background in politics to be on the board during what promises to be years of fiscal challenges. Craig pushed her nine years working with Cosgrove during her campaign.
"I think people wanted a new set of creative eyes on board, and a little bit of experience on the budget," she said. "I'm ready to start."
Craig was endorsed by Chesapeake's Republicans.
A former TV reporter who now i s a spokeswoman for the Norfolk Sheriff's Office, Billingsley Harris was t he top fundraiser in the race. She raised almost $22,000 through late April and spent almost $20,000. The second highest fundraiser, Hill-Russ, raised a little under $15,000 and spent less than $14,000. Both were endorsed by the city's Democratic committee.
Billingsley Harris touted her working-mo ther credentials Tuesday, saying her election showed "regular people should be able to participate in the process."
Hill-Russ is a former teacher and principal who's been on the School Board since 1998. She also works as an assistant professor in the school of education at Regent University. She said during the campaign that she was running to see through some of the projects the School Board had started under her as chairwoman, including the modernization of Indian River High School and the proposed math and science academy at Deep Creek High School. She could not be reached for comment.
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Voting to benefit students?
It's a step in the right direction to replace Dr. Hill-Russ. Unfortunately, the other incumbents should have been replaced as well. Lowering standards, removing the Accelerated Reading program from our schools, and general decision-making from a political point of view has damaged our school division's progress. Three years ago, the division was focused on LITERACY. Then, the next year, with a broad stroke, the school board kowtowed to a few Hickory soccer moms and removed the reading program that provided the only major incentive to read! DUH! Big, beautiful buildings and fancy technology equipment cannot will never have more importance than basic academics and literacy. Our school division has too many students being promoted to high school without being able to read or write coherantly. If we focus on excelling in academics, our tax base will increase and there will be money for all the projects being proposed. Let's not lose sight of the goal!
I wish the new board members well, but they must also demonstrate focused concern for the students improvement or they will be replaced as well!!
Accelerated Reader
I agree that ditching the Accelerated Reader program was a bone-headed decision. I see the results in my three children. Two had the program all the way thorugh and one had it cut off after year one. Two love to read, one does not. And yes, we do read at home.
credentials?
By the way, did the voters who voted for Christie New Craig happen to notice that her education mentioned high school graduation and higher education was listed as "some college"? Does anyone else see a red flag when many of the people she will be responsible for are required to have college degrees but she has none? I'm just wondering....
i learned long ago...
the more degrees one has the less they are able to think outside the box. They put up a smoke screen with nonsensical yammering disguised as 'highly educated' and hope it will fool the people they perceive to be beneath them. Well..........it doesn't work.
Personally...
I'd rather have someone on the Board with some common sense than someone with a bunch of initials after their name.
degree fallacy
It depends on whether you buy into the degree fallacy. It seems that those holding degrees in education often ignore or have completely forgotten common sense. Look at all the bright Administrators in Norfolk's "World Class" schools.
in response
The fact of the matter is this, Sheila was Chariwoman of the Board who was faced to make important decisions for our city. As an educator and mother of two who both went to public schools in Chesapeake, she made the best choice that would end with the best results. Of course, in the short-term that is going to make some people very upset and dissapointed. Like what was said before, a lot of the blame was put on her for the choices that the ENTIRE board made as a cohesive unit. What was overlooked in this process are the times that people have made personal phone calls asking for favors from Sheila for their children, or the many times that the Board has met until 1-2AM because she would retain her vote against the majority party. The situation with IRHS was a news breaker and happened too close to this election for people to forget. However, to boot out someone who has so much experience in this position and who cares about each and every individual was a mistake. The people of Chesapeake will soon see that and surely regret their decision to put two people who are more involved with politics than education on a committee who is responsible for the welfare of our kids. Sheila is on
School Board Elections
I apologize for it! Oh well, I think everyone will understand the message!
School Board Elections
Hi 100% concur that the Grassfield/Deep Creek debacle was the beginning of Ms. Hull-Russ's fall. The issue to closed the deal for her not to be re-elected was the treatment of the grassroots group who wanted attention given to Indian River High School and the poor condition of the school. I had to laugh because in this article, it lists IRHS as one of her accomplishments! I was personally at the S/B meetings and was a speak twice imploring the board for dollars for paint and repair (not the building of the promised 8th HS) and saw the distain on her face, that's to say when she was even listening). So PLEASE do add IRHS to her credits. Oh, did I mention the time when a citizen was speaking to the board and with my own eyes (or I would not believe a person in her position do this), she actually rolled her eyes. She's is not a leader unless the issue agrees with her. It was quite apparant she had lost interest, thus lost leadership of the S/B and was time to go. I must admit I was shocked she was not re-elected because of her "network", but it goes to show, the little people can make a difference. Thanks everyone who voted her off! Good times to come for our kids :)
I'm laughing hysterically!!!
IRHS is a disgrace inside and outside. they also need to get the gang members out of there.