"All seven candidates running for the four available seats on the Charlottesville School Board in this November’s election came together Wednesday evening to discuss and debate issues facing the city school system.

The forum, held in the Charlottesville City Council’s chambers, was put together by the League of Women Voters Charlottesville/Albemarle, the Quality Community Council, the Center for Freedom and Expression and the Virginia Organizing Project.

The candidates introduced themselves and answered questions on subjects ranging from the influence of special interest groups on School Board decision-making to improving the achievement of economically disadvantaged students.

“We need to develop a culture of high expectations not only in our schools but also in our community,” said incumbent School Board Chairman Alvin Edwards, also the pastor at Mt. Zion First Baptist Church and former Charlottesville mayor.

Llezelle Dugger, a public defender, called herself a “consensus builder.”

“One of my pet issues is closing the achievement gap,” she said. “The earlier we make contact with the students and their families, the better the students will do in school. We need to bring those who are down all the way up.”

Grant Brownrigg, a business-comic creator, wants to build a stronger partnership between the school system and Charlottesville’s business community.

“I focus on the bottom line,” Brownrigg said. “In education, the bottom line is how well the kids are being educated.”

Urban planner Kathleen Galvin was one of several candidates to speak in favor of a “living wage” and used an anecdote to get her point across.

“When I was getting signatures to run for the School Board, many [city] teachers could not sign my petition because they didn’t live in the city,” she said.

“There is a disconnect when teachers can’t afford to live in the city where they teach.”

Colette Blount, a math teacher at Sutherland Middle School, has taught in the city for the past three years. Before that, she taught in Albemarle County for a decade.

One of her ideas is to create a “School Board-to-school” liaison.

“We need this necessary feedback,” she said. “Teachers have the most direct impact on whether a policy works.”

University of Virginia technology specialist Sean McCord presented two novel proposals - build closer ties between the city schools and UVa and create a student judiciary program at Charlottesville High School.

“A student judiciary program would make students feel included and respected by the school system,” McCord said.

Entrepreneur Lynette Meynig talked in general terms about wanting to “revamp” the curriculum to reengage disenchanted students..

“The curriculum is difficult at best when large numbers of students are dropping out,” Meynig said. “No kids say, ‘Yippee, school today!”

Voters will choose who fills the four seats on Nov. 6." (Barney Breen-Portnoy, The Daily Progress, September 20, 2007)