Webb reappointed to Lynchburg school board

Former Lynchburg City School Board vice chairman Tom Webb is back on the board, nearly a year after a surprise vote where he was not reappointed.

City Council voted 6-1 Tuesday to name Webb the board’s new District II representative, replacing vice chairman Sterling Wilder. Councilman Jeff Helgeson was the dissenting vote.

Webb, an educator with almost 40 years of experience, was passed over for Liberty University professor Darin Gerdes last June in a 3-2 vote made with two council members out of town.

The impact of that decision has been felt through a series of policy changes and debate about how school board interviews should be conducted.

Webb’s appointment was one of three made by council on Tuesday — current District III representative Treney Tweedy was reappointed and Lynchburg native Regina Dolan-Sewell was named the new District I rep.

The appointments marked a new chapter in city government, created in the debate that followed last summer’s vote. The appointment process was the first of its kind where the public had access to candidates’ applications and supplemental materials, and council invited applicants to attend the public hearing seeking candidates.

Also a first, closed-session interviews were taped and will be broadcast on the city’s government channel — which was a source of contention Tuesday.

“I just believe it opens Pandora’s Box, dictating what to put on a government channel,” Vice Mayor Bert Dodson said after the meeting.

Initially city staff had indicated interviews would be released on DVD and sold for $10. Council voted 6-1, with Dodson dissenting, to air the interviews on LTV, which is channel 19.

The interviews will be broadcast June 27 at 9 a.m., June 30 at 3 p.m. and July 2 at 8 p.m.

Dodson said putting the interviews on the government channel could set a dangerous precedent. Other council members did not have issue with it and city officials said they would accommodate anyone who wanted a DVD and would waive the $10 fee.

Some council members said they felt having interviews made public will eliminate questions of why someone was or was not appointed. Helgeson said it provides an opportunity for the community to see what he and other council members saw.

Helgeson voted for Gerdes last year instead of Webb. When asked why he didn’t support Webb again this year, he said: “watch the interview,” but would not provide specifics.

Councilman Joe Seiffert said he’s happy with the fact citizens can watch interviews. Seiffert, who also voted for Gerdes, supported Webb on Tuesday.

“You deal with the cards you’re given,” he said, later adding, “You take the best of the candidates you have, no matter where they are on the ladder.”

Councilman Scott Garrett also supported Gerdes last year to the dismay of many citizens. He defended his choice even when community members called on him to ask Gerdes to resign. Tuesday, Garrett voted for Webb.

“I think he was the most qualified of the folks this year,” he said.

Webb could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Newly appointed members attend their first school board meeting Tuesday, July 8.

Lynchburg local and E.C. Glass High School alumna Regina Dolan-Sewell was named the school board’s newest District I representative Tuesday.

“I’m very enthusiastic about being able to serve our community via the school board. There’s nothing more important than the education of our children. I feel honored and humbled by being offered this opportunity,” Dolan-Sewell said when reached by phone Tuesday.

As an executive vice president at Colonial Brokerage House Inc., Dolan-Sewell cited her business background and experience as a research and clinical psychologist as benefits to the school board. She was appointed unanimously by City Council.

She has a Ph.D. and a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Catholic University of America and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia. Dolan-Sewell also has children currently enrolled in city schools.

During the appointment process, Dolan-Sewell identified closing the achievement gap, capital improvement challenges, including Heritage High School, and retaining and recruiting high-quality teachers as main issues for the school system.

“I hope to meet with the School Board chair Julie Doyle and superintendent just to learn, to find out if there’s anything I could be doing to best prepare,” Dolan-Sewell said.

She replaces current District I representative Ellis “Mac” Frankfort, who was not eligible for reappointment. She will attend her first meeting July 8.