notes from the Richmond Crusade for Voters School Board Candidates Forum

The Richmond Crusade for Voters held a School Board Candidates Forum at the Military Retiree’s Club at 2220 Sledd Street. It was a packed house: a room full of voters, the press, and 14 school board candidates vying for 8 of the 9 school board seats. Candidates were given 2 minutes to give an opening […]

July 15, 2008; 10:16 PM • by John Murden

The Richmond Crusade for Voters held a School Board Candidates Forum at the Military Retiree’s Club at 2220 Sledd Street. It was a packed house: a room full of voters, the press, and 14 school board candidates vying for 8 of the 9 school board seats.

Candidates were given 2 minutes to give an opening statement, 2 minutes to each answer the questions posed to the group, and then time for a closing statement. It was at times difficult to hear the candidates as they in turn spoke on their experience in education, what they felt was the greatest issue facing RPS, and their take on charter schools. Somehow, the majority of the candidates basically said that they were leery of charter schools, but that the Patrick Henry Initiative seemed ok and that they would consider any future applications on their merit.

• 1st District – Kimberly Bridges is unopposed.
• 2nd District – Kimberly B. Gray and incumbent Lisa Dawson. Has it really been almost 15 years since there has been an opposed school board race in the 2nd?!?
• 3rd District – Norma H. Murdoch-Kitt will be the only name on the ticket. (Is Wolf going for a write-in campaign?)
• 4th district – A race to watch. There are 4 people running, though Bert Berlin’s emphasis on neighborhood schools and Adria Graham Scott’s presence and her focus on accountability both really stand out.
• 5th Ditrict – Incumbent Betsy Carr has quite a challenger in Mr. Mallory.
• 6th District – The back and forth between the candidates highlighted especially the contrast between Art Burton and Chandra Smith. Burton comes across as an inspired, unstoppable fighter; Smith presents herself as reliable, level-headed and accomplished.
• 7th District – None of the 3 candidates for the 7th district seat were present. A young man stood for Don Coleman and made closing remarks on his behalf.
• 8th District – Two candidates will be on the ballot for the open seat, Dawn C. Page and Charles D. Willis (“ABC: Accountability, Build New Schools, Change”). Carolyn Edwards appears to making a run at a write-in candidacy.
• 9th District – Evette L. Wilson is running unopposed.

The Richmond Crusade for Voters was founded in 1956. The organization grew out of the Council to Save Public Schools, itself initially formed to fight a January 1956 law which allowed cities in Virginia the option of closing public schools rather than integrate them.

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