School board searching for a new Dale representative
By Greg Pearson

The school board has until July 26 to find a replacement for former Dale District member Beth Davis who passed away on June 12. Her replacement must reside within the Dale Magisterial District. No other school board member, either elected or appointed, has ever died while in office.

Two possible candidates - the wife of former Chesterfield Supervisor Harry Daniel and the president of the Chesterfield County Chamber of Commerce - have declined consideration. "I think both Pat Daniel and Art Heinz would have been excellent candidates," said School Board Chairman Marshall Trammell.

Though school board elections do not list political parties on the ballot, three of the four current members belong to the Chesterfield Republican party while Matoaca District member Tom Doland is an Independent. If the school board fails to select someone within the 45-day period, School Board Attorney Mike Packer says Chesterfield Circuit Court judges would appoint a replacement.

Last week, the school board interviewed its first candidate to succeed Billy Cannaday as superintendent. Cannaday began his new position as state superintendent on July 1. Trammell wants Davis' replacement to aid in the superintendent selection process.

Also last week, the school board began soliciting citizens to fill Davis' empty seat, requesting "a statement of interest, biographical information and verification of residency in the Dale District." The information should be sent to the Community Relations Department, Chesterfield County Public Schools, P.O. Box 10, Chesterfield, VA 23832, and postmarked no later than Monday, July 10 or e-mailed to ccpsinfo@ccpsnet.net by 5 p.m. that same day.

The appointed person will serve until an election is held this November, and that person could choose to run for election. The person elected in November would serve through December 2007.

All five school board seats will be on the November 2007 ballot for a four-year term commencing January 2008.

To verify eligibility or request information about the election, interested persons should contact the Registrar's Office at 748-1471.