Lynchburg school board candidates come forward

A public hearing on school board appointments garnered substantial turnout Tuesday night when a dozen people addressed City Council, including six applicants who spoke on their own behalf.

The hearing also yielded a nomination for the District III school board vacancy, which had no applicants prior to the hearing. Ingrid Hamlett, the mother of two Heritage students, was nominated.

Three board terms expire this year, including that of District III representative Leslie Faircloth. He is finishing his second term and decided not to seek renewal.

Julie Doyle, board chairwoman, is not eligible for renewal because she has served the maximum of three terms. She represents District I. Board member Keith Anderson, who serves District II, also has an expiring term.

Anderson was among those to speak at Tuesday’s hearing. Candidates Robert Hopkins, Anne Alfieri, Charlie White, William Cabell and Carmela Greer also spoke on their own behalf.

There are currently nine people seeking a place on the school board. Lynchburg College professor Mona Williams, who previously submitted her name for consideration, withdrew her application Tuesday.

Candidates, whose comments were limited to three minutes, spoke about important issues facing the city schools and why they wanted to be on the school board.

Cabell told board members he believes that every child must get a quality education and said as a board member he would be committed to that goal.

Hopkins said in preparation for his application he spoke with the division superintendent and school principals to get a feel for what issues the school system faces. He said he learned schools face issues such as funding challenges, gaps in achievement and the need to expand alternative education offerings.

Greer said her passion is helping people with disabilities and she would bring a special compassion to the board. She also said she would want to identify barriers students face in completing school.

Anderson highlighted his experiences as a board member, saying he has witnessed “untiring devotion” of those in the school system. He said he’s enjoyed going to schools and watching the achievements of staff and students. He urged the board to reappoint him, saying he knows the rigors of serving on the board.

Speaking in support of Anderson, community activist Walter Fore said during his 37 years as a College Hill resident he hasn’t seen anyone impact the neighborhood like Anderson.

“Seeing everything he has done in our community in such a short time is amazing,” Fore said.

Alfieri identified budget woes, the achievement gap and graduation rates as significant issues facing the school system. She said as a tutor at Linkhorne Middle School she has seen the impact a one-on-one connection with a student can make.

Two people spoke on Alfieri’s behalf, including division parent Karen Truitte who said Alfieri possesses qualities needed to be successful on the board.

White, who helped initiate the division’s Play it Smart program, told council members he wants to work with city leadership to improve the division.

“I do not claim to have the solutions to our challenges, but I believe that I am suited to help find the answers,” he said.

Three people also spoke in support of White. Among them were former school board member Jim Candler, planning commission Chairwoman Laura Hamilton and Maggie Davis, Heritage High’s Play it Smart academic coach.

White’s supporters praised his financial savvy and devotion to the school system.

Davis, who described White as a visionary, later addressed the board again to nominate Hamlett.

Following Tuesday night’s public comments, City Council agreed to extend the hearing until May 26 to seek additional applicants.

Once the hearing is closed, council will deliberate behind closed doors to decide who to interview. Interviews, which will also been done in closed session, will be taped and available to the public following appointments. Appointments will be made in June and new board members begin in July.