Beach school board candidates point to unique qualifications

VIRGINIA BEACH

Keeping high standards while dealing with shrinking budgets is the top issue for many of the 10 candidates for School Board.

Many also said they favor giving bonuses or raises to school employees, who have gone three years without increases.

"School employees don't get paid as much as city employees make," said Sam G. Reid, a retired carpenter for the school division and president of the city's Council of Civic Organizations. He is running unopposed for the Beach district seat.

The quiet campaign has been overshadowed by bigger state and local races. The citizens seeking to help run the schools have tried to distinguish themselves by touting unique perspectives.

There will be three competitive School Board races on the ballot Nov. 2. The first is for two at-large seats sought by incumbent Todd C. Davidson, appointee Scott Seery and challenger Dorothy M. "Dottie" Holtz.

Davidson, a pastor and former educator, said he's proud to have been part of the strategic planning process and has helped the board make tough financial decisions.

Holtz, who retired from Beach schools in 2009, said the board needs a recent educator who knows how technology is used in schools. She also said the board needs to be more accessible, noting that she didn't know workshops were open to the public until told by a reporter.

Seery, an attorney who was appointed to the board in January, said he has extensive experience with finances and thinks schools should budget for a raise next year.

Another at-large seat is up for special election. Ashley K. McLeod, who said she brings the perspectives of a parent, taxpayer and former teacher to the board, was appointed to the position in March. She is being opposed by Gertrude H. "Bunny" Waugh, a substitute teacher who declined to answer questions. For more about Waugh, read "Pencils Down" on page 3.

The last competitive race is for the Bayside seat, which Carolyn D. Weems has held by appointment since December, after holding an at-large seat for eight years. She is opposed by Carray Banks Jr., a Norfolk State University administrator who applied for several of the previous appointments.

Banks said his experience as an educator could help the city improve teaching and prepare students better for college, including making them aware of scholarship opportunities.

Weems pointed to her experience and said that as chair of the board's legislative committee, she's working to make sure schools can keep money they've saved through cost-cutting.

In addition to newcomer Reid, who wants to see increased bullying-prevention programs in the middle and high schools, two other candidates are unopposed. Incumbents Emma L. "Em" Davis, a former principal, and William J. "Bill" Brunke, an accountant, are in uncontested races for the Lynnhaven and Princess Anne seats.

Under the unique election laws in Virginia Beach, every city voter can cast a ballot for all seven seats, regardless of where they live.

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