LETTER: School Board Will Be Elected — But How?

December 14, 2012

DEAR EDITOR,

We would like once more to thank everyone who contributed in any way in our quest to have the school board elected as opposed to appointed.

We were more than pleased at the results of the vote — in fact almost astonished at the great majority who voted in favor. Almost 80 percent of the citizens of Northampton County voted for this change.

The question has now arisen, “what happens now?”

The answer is not clear-cut, as the Code of Virginia has some contradictions in the change-over from an appointed board to an elected one.

The terms of three members of the school board end in June, 2013. Yet they will continue to serve until December 31, as the first election in which the members can be elected will happen in November 2013, when the supervisors from Districts 1, 2, and 3 face election.

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The code of Virginia states that if a majority of the governing body is up for election, then a majority of the school board will also face election. As there are seven members of the school board, the three members whose term ends prior to the election next November do not constitute a majority.

The Code of Virginia also states that the terms of the governing body and the school board are to be “coterminous,” which means that the members of the school board as well as the governing body will serve during the same four year term.

Unfortunately, the members of the school board whose terms end represent Districts 3 and 5 as well as one at-large member.

The code also states that school board members should serve out their full term, yet at the same time allows for a drawing to determine which members of an at-large board should face election before the end of their term if necessary.

As you can see, all these contradictions require a “Philadelphia lawyer” (in the words of my ancestors) to figure out what happens now. It is basically in the hands of our Commonwealth Attorney and Judge to determine the path to an elected board.

Everyone, including the Commonwealth Attorney and the Judge, is aware of the great majority who voted for the change, and the General Assembly seems to be in favor of a rapid change-over to an elected board.

Therefore it is reasonable to hope that in a few short years we will be represented by members of our own choosing.

When I receive information as to the path to an elected school board, I will send another letter making you aware of what it will be. Until it is known, please encourage members of the community who would make good candidates to consider running at some future time.

RANDALL PARKS
Friends of Northampton County Public Schools

Letters to the Editor are welcome on any subject relevant to Cape Charles, and a diversity of opinions is encouraged.  Letters should be original and never submitted elsewhere. Send submissions to [email protected].