Winsome on board, a gadfly by nature

I don't often go to meetings of the State Board of Education looking for excitement. They typically feature lengthy staff presentations interspersed by polite applause. Minimal debate. Zero drama.

But I had my hopes up a few weeks ago. There's a new member at the dais, and if anyone can liven up the B-O-R-E-D of Education, it's Winsome Sears.

Sears made her mark on Virginia history in 2001 when she defeated Norfolk Democrat Billy Robinson to become the first female black Republican in the House of Delegates. In two short years, she passed legislation to reform the Board of Medicine, antagonized every other black legislator in Capitol Square and then zoomed off to make an ill-fated run against U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott. After her defeat, she cast politics aside and moved to the Shenandoah Valley.

Now she's back in Richmond, and I was curious to see how she is acclimating to her new assignment. I was impressed. She was poised and focused during the meeting. Her legislative skills were on display as she suggested a tightly worded amendment that helped resolve concerns over a new textbook policy. During a break, I wandered up to ask if she had any projects in the works.

"I can't talk about it right now," she said, glancing around furtively. "In fact, I shouldn't even be seen talking to you."

Now that's the Winsome I know.

When I caught up with her later by phone, she said she's taking a different approach to public service this time around. After a bruising election, Sears admits she was in a fighting mood when she arrived at the General Assembly. But now she's working on being a team player.

"Winsome means charming. I'm trying to live up to my name," she said with a chuckle. "You can't just come with a whole basketful of agendas. I can't come in like gangbusters, but at the same time I'm not a seat warmer. I don't think the governor wants me to be a seat warmer."

The mother of three daughters, all of them educated in public schools, Sears says she wants to increase graduation rates, narrow the achievement gap for minority students and embrace reforms such as charter schools and performance pay.

Despite her resolution to play a supporting role on the staid board, it's already clear that she's shaking things up.

Recently during a visit to her dentist's office, she started flipping through O, The Oprah Magazine and came upon an article about Deborah Kenny, founder of the Harlem Village Academies charter schools. Of course, Sears immediately phoned the governor's office and announced that the state needs to host a conference on education reforms.

Sears has also raised legitimate concerns about the board's practice of discussing agenda items during a dinner meeting that is posted on the state website but rarely draws visitors.

"I noticed that we do a lot of talking at the dinner meeting, but unfortunately, there's no one there to hear the great give and take of the discussion," she said.

No wonder the official meetings are so dry.

But Sears' biggest fight may well be over charter schools, and she may find herself once again at odds with members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus. McDonnell attempted to ease restrictions on the publicly run, privately operated schools in 2010, but black legislators took the lead in watering down the bill.

"Lord have mercy, we are our own worst enemy," Sears said. "It's our own children more than anyone else's who are failing."

Can she channel all of that energy into long-term educational goals, or will she stick around just long enough to turn everything topsy-turvy before catapulting off into outer space?

"I'm passionate about a lot of things," she said. "I don't let any moss grow under my feet. I just look to see where I can help, and when that is accomplished, I move on. Right now, I'm on board. Who's coming with me?"

Christina Nuckols is an editorial writer for The Virginian-Pilot. Email: christina.nuckols@pilotonline.com.