The Virginian-Pilot
©
VIRGINIA BEACH
Sandra Smith-Jones, the School Board member who announced her resignation in August before moving to Saudi Arabia - then rescinded it, saying she would do the job from there - has announced again that she's resigning.
In an email the School Board received Tuesday, she said her resignation will take effect Oct. 31.
"New opportunities and changes in my employment responsibilities have posed traveling challenges," wrote Smith-Jones, an administrator for a Saudi Arabia-based education company. "Unfortunately, I will not be able to return to Virginia Beach at this time in order to fulfill my responsibilities as a School Board Member."
School Board Chairman Dan Edwards said the board will not take action on the resignation until after Oct. 31. He said he's worried Smith-Jones might change her mind again.
"If she sent a letter saying it was effective today, that would be another thing," he said. "I want to make sure we have an effective resignation."
Smith-Jones, who represents the Kempsville district, has been hinting for weeks that she planned to step down from the $12,000-a-year post. She concluded an email to The Virginian-Pilot last month with, "This is my final Farewell."
In her resignation letter Tuesday, Smith-Jones wrote: "I ask you to review the appointment process and strongly consider holding interviews in an open and transparent process."
When a School Board member resigns, the board chooses the replacement.
At-large member Patrick Salyer has asked the board to appoint him to replace Smith-Jones. Salyer, who moved to Kempsville in June, has been open about his intentions to run for that district's City Council seat next fall when Harry Diezel's term expires.
Most School Board members criticized Smith-Jones continuing to serve from overseas as impractical. Smith-Jones had said she would return to Virginia Beach every few weeks for meetings and could be patched into meetings via video-conferencing.
The resignation was not mentioned at Tuesday's board meeting. Edwards said the board will likely take it up at its Nov. 1 meeting.
Aaron Applegate, (757) 222-5122, aaron.applegate@pilotonline.com
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TRASH
some one left the door open and a big pile of TRASH blew in now its gone good by TRASH
Finally
The 31st can't come soon enough. I assume that it does not matter, to Smith-Jones, that Red Mill has some of the highest scores among elementary schools in the district. With those thoughts/opinions the students of Virginia Beach will be better served by her resignation.
Oh.....it's the 'ME' lady again.
Glad she's gone. Hopefully she never sets foot in one of our schools again. Can we get her numerous stories off the Pilot now, please? Her attitude is sickening.
the letter says it all
This letter says it all--so what did you do during your tenure to bring on a pay raise, increase diversity, and full day kindergarden. Apparently you were unsuccessful in that and left before the job was done. Also--the board will pick whoever they want after you are gone. You don't get a vote anymore. Please return your pay for the last few months as you clearly did not serve.
Another example of the failure of elected school boards
Had she been appointed by the local taxing authority (council) she could be removed immediately.
Demand that the General Assembly give the school boards taxing authority so that they are responsible for their own budgets. Otherwise, demand that they return school boards to appointed positions so that we can hold the council accountable.
WHAT A WASTE OF TIME
on this subject.
Just shows that there are some people who STILL feel that they are entitled to certain things.
I hope she's NEVER selected again to for anything in VA Beach; no common sense.
Too much attention
Don't you think this story has gotten enough coverage? Who gives a darn about this story or seeing this woman's face anymore? Enough already! Report the news; not just personal responsibility stories. Everyone knows she can't do both jobs effectively. Move on!!
Tenure and Quotas Holding us Back
Her Letter makes an important point regarding the need for full day Kindergarten. While the lack of African-American personnel in the schools mentioned is curious, our real concern should be hiring teachers capable of maintaining control in the classroom.
Having sat in on classes at a Beach Elementary school I was appalled by how little control many teachers have. They seemed more concerned with being liked than teaching. These 'educators' and their bosses should be embarrassed.
Worked here a long time? Who cares. If you can't teach or are ineffective or burnt out - leave now. If we want our kids to be colorblind and focus on what's important let's do the same and start voting the crappy teachers, regardless of race, off the island.
Kindergarten
Kindergartens were established as a social experiment (not educational) to transition children from family-led education and social experiences to teacher and government-led education and social experiences. How's that working for you? Given the social behavior and discipline problems we see in school, I suggest that kindergarten is part of the problem. Very young children need a parent to raise them and teach them values and appropriate social behaviors. Even dogs and kittens are not allowed to be sold before 6 weeks old, and they mature much more quickly; why do we give our children to the state at such tender ages? Full-day kindergarten takes the responsibility and the joy of parenting away from families and gives it to the state.
Great Point Hazeleyes,
Very good point, the problem with your point is very simple though. Schools end up being the best parent some of these kids have. The school provides, structure, nurturing a warm meal and even some education. There use to be discipline too but the ACLU and other organizations have taken that away. Unfortunately in our society anyone can be a parent but you have to pass a test for a driver’s license, we have also glorified being a parent without the responsibility of parenthood.
She should have stepped down long ago, pathetic!