A rare opening on school board

By Greg Pearson STAFF WRITER

Dianne Pettitt Recent elections for the school board in Chesterfield have been typically subdued with few opponents for the rare open seats. Debates between candidates are unusual. The elections next year, however, will offer some voters more choices because there will be at least one vacancy.

A number of county elected officials have said they expect the Responsible Growth Alliance of Chesterfield to put up or endorse a slate of candidates for the school board.

Last month the RGA elected a new board of directors. "Once we get our officers in place, we'll be discussing the upcoming year and the direction we go in," said Marleen Durfee, the executive director of the RGA.

While candidates do not wear a party label (running for the school board is supposed to be above politics), all members of the current school board belong to the Chesterfield Republican party.

"We'll focus on the school board in December after the Senate and Congressional races are over," said Chesterfield Republican party Chairman Jim Davis.

"People run for the school board because of issues and not political reasons," said Lynne Cooper, spokesperson for the Chesterfield Democratic party. "Democrats have gotten behind a candidate with money and resources, but the focus hasn't been on party affiliation." A candidate could be endorsed by Democrats, but on the ballot, party affiliation is not listed behind the candidate's name.

Beth Davis School observers say candidates often run for the school board because of specific issues. School Board Chairman Marshall Trammell said that change doesn't come easily since there are four other members on the board.

"You have to learn to work with school officials, other board members and the Board of Supervisors," explained Trammell. The county's supervisors approve the school budget and make the final decision about the location of new schools.

Currently, the chairman of the school board is paid $18,068 annually while the other members are paid $16,068.

Midlothian District 

School Board Member Jim Schroeder has announced he's stepping down next year, leaving the seat open.

If Ed Barber should resign from the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors, Schroeder may be asked to take Barber's seat before the end of the year. If Schroeder is appointed, the school board would select his replacement if the resignation occurs after July 1.

Tom Doland One candidate for Schroeder's school board seat is Patty Carpenter, who guided citizen support for the school bond issue in 2003. Schroeder has met with her to discuss the position and says she is a strong candidate. He stopped short of endorsing her, saying he might later but indicated there were other interested people.

Carpenter, a Republican, says she intends to seek the position and has the support of some of those who helped her with the school bond issue.

Dale District

Beth Davis was diagnosed with stage IIA Hodgkin's Lymphoma last February and admitted to the hospital on May 19. The Dale District representative is currently in intensive care. Her progress can be monitored at prayingforbeth. blogspot.com.

"We expected there would be interest and legitimately so, but we're not prepared to make a statement yet [about running]," said her husband, Jim Davis, who chairs the Chesterfield Republican party.

There are no other known potential candidates.

Matoaca District

Marshall Trammell In 2003, Independent Tom Doland went door to door seeking votes to upset Republican Lloyd Lenhart. "I was known for spending the least amount of money in any race," he said proudly. Last year Doland joined the Chesterfield Republicans.

Asked if he planned to run, he responded, "At this point, yes." The former county educator was diagnosed with glaucoma three months ago and "is being treated with drops."

Another Chesterfield Republican party member and former history teacher in Chesterfield, Uddin Omar Rajah, "is going to be a candidate." He is a volunteer for the attorney general's gang transition team and earns a living reforming ex-offenders for the Department of Justice. Earlier this year, he was appointed by the speaker of the House of Delegates as a volunteer for the comprehensive services for the At Risk Youth program.

Clover Hill District

"Absolutely," replied Clover Hill's Dianne Pettitt to the question of her candidacy. She was first elected to the school board in 1995.

It was rumored that Kevin Page, who heads the Monacan High School Parent Teacher Student Association, might be running against Pettitt. When contacted last week, he said, "Not at this time."

James Schroeder Page had taken issue over some aspects of the physical condition of the aging school, but he praised Pettitt, Clover Hill Supervisor Art Warren and Superintendent Billy Cannaday for recent improvements to the school.

Bermuda District

"Definitely. It's still my passion," Marshall Trammell said of his candidacy next year. Trammell has served on the board for 15 years. There are no other known candidates from his district.