Va. Beach School Board member plans to lead from afar

VIRGINIA BEACH

School leaders and community members dined on shrimp, Swedish meatballs and assorted cheeses two weeks ago at a farewell reception honoring Sandra Smith-Jones for her decade of service on the School Board as she prepared for her new career in Saudi Arabia.

Smith-Jones flew to the Middle East as planned on Wednesday. But she now plans to continue representing the Kempsville district from afar while making occasional return visits to attend board meetings and meet with constituents.

She announced the reversal late Tuesday in a letter and a meeting with School Board Chairman Dan Edwards. Smith-Jones told Edwards and others on the board that community members convinced her to withdraw her resignation.

She said her job will allow her to return to Virginia Beach for a few weeks every couple of months, Edwards said, and she told him she planned to be back in town for November's board meeting.

The sudden change in plans raises questions regarding legal residency and the obligation of board members to have a physical presence in the community. Smith-Jones plans to maintain her home on Rock Creek Court while working overseas, she told supporters. Officials in the city attorney's office said they are reviewing the matter.

"I don't know if it's legal, but I know it's dysfunctional," Edwards said.

Edwards and others said they were stunned by the decision. Several members said they are concerned Smith-Jones won't be able to fulfill all her duties while working more than 6,500 miles away. Board member Carolyn Weems called it "a mockery" and "an insult to voters."

"How is Sandra going to be at the meetings?" Weems said. "She's not. How is she going to vote? She's not. How is she going to go on school visits? She's not. This is a joke."

Smith-Jones will be an administrator with a Saudi Arabia-based education company. She could not be reached by phone or e-mail Wednesday.

Board member Brent McKenzie said he spoke with Smith-Jones at length a day earlier. He said she changed her mind because she "didn't trust the School Board majority to appoint the right person to replace her."

"When it comes to these situations," McKenzie said, "they have proven they will consider friendships and politics instead of qualifications."

McKenzie and member Todd Davidson said they supported Smith-Jones' decision to finish her term while overseas. "If anyone can do it, Sandra can," Davidson said.

At-large member Patrick Salyer had asked the board to appoint him to replace Smith-Jones in the Kempsville district. Salyer, who moved to Kempsville in June, has been transparent about his intentions to run for that district's City Council seat next fall when Harry Diezel's term expires.

"She said the community talked her into staying on the board, but I question that," Salyer said. "That's my community, too. I don't see how she's going to be able to serve them."

Smith-Jones discussed the situation with legal staff before rescinding her resignation, school officials said. The School Board does not have the authority to reject her decision, Edwards said.

City Attorney Mark Stiles said members of the School Board asked his office to issue an opinion on the matter. Stiles said he didn't have all the facts necessary to make a final determination. Legal residency is defined by intent, he said.

"You don't lose your residency merely because you travel out of the country, and you don't assume that just because she is traveling out of the country for work that she has lost her residency," Stiles said. "It's more complicated than that."

Smith-Jones suggested allowing her to attend meetings via video conference. Saudi Arabia is in a time zone that's currently seven hours ahead of Virginia Beach. The average board meeting lasts three hours, which means that the next meeting on Wednesday could run as late as 4 a.m. Thursday there.

Vice Chairman Bill Brunke questioned whether Smith-Jones would be able to communicate with constituents or make informed policy decisions.

Smith-Jones is paid $12,000 a year plus optional benefits to serve on the board. She sits on five committees that, combined, meet at least five times a month. That's on top of the board's regular meetings, held twice monthly, and other public appearances.

"Practically speaking, I find it very difficult for someone to fulfill these obligations halfway around the world," Brunke said. "I don't see how it's possible."

Mike Hixenbaugh, (757) 222-5117, mike.hixenbaugh@pilotonline.com