By Tara Bahrampour
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, April 20, 2006; VA03
When Alexandria voters go to the polls on May 2, they will have an opportunity to remake the city School Board.
For the first time since the Alexandria School Board became an elected body 12 years ago, eight of the nine board members are not seeking re-election. Their departures come after a contentious three years during which board members fought over whether the system's students should be allowed to attend a prestigious governor's school in Fairfax, whether they should double their own salaries and whether the superintendent should be fired. Many of the outgoing board members cited family or work pressures as reasons for leaving, but some have also alluded to the difficulty and stress of being on a board whose disagreements often deteriorated into personal attacks.
Charles Wilson is the only incumbent seeking re-election; 13 newcomers are vying for the three-year positions, which run concurrently. Voters will pick three candidates in each of three districts -- A, B and C.
Candidates list accountability, improving teachers' salaries and better communication as among the most important issues facing the board. And some have said that if elected, one of their top priorities would be a search for a new superintendent.
The board has been engulfed in controversy for two years over its decision to renew Superintendent Rebecca L. Perry's contract after she was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in 2004. After eight months of turmoil over the issue, the board voted 7 to 2 to extend Perry's contract through 2008.
Some of the candidates declined to discuss their views on Perry until after the election. But Peter Atherton said the board should not have renewed her contract. And Claire Eberwein, a former City Council and School Board member, and Peter Smeallie, who has served in various school-related organizations, both say a "prompt" search for a new superintendent is among their goals.
Arthur Peabody Jr. said most of the people he has talked to during his campaign have questioned the contract renewal. But Elynn Simons said the voters she has talked to are divided.
"I'm being lobbied on both sides," she said. "I hear some people say she's a wonderful administrator who's very good at getting things done. I've heard others say, 'Show her the door.' I look forward to sitting down with her, not as a candidate, but as a School Board member, and saying, 'Which is it?' "
The board was also divided over whether to allow Alexandria high school students to attend Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Fairfax County.
When Thomas Jefferson opened two decades years ago, the board decided against participating, citing the cost and concern that T.C. Williams, the city's public high school, would lose top students. Last month, the board approved a pilot program that will fund admission for two students in the 2007-08 school year.
Simons said that if elected she would seek to reverse the decision.
"It just sends the wrong message," she said, adding that T.C. Williams has a strong science program that would be undermined if its best students leave for Thomas Jefferson.
Atherton said the board decision that prompted his candidacy was a vote in December to double members' salaries to $15,000 ($17,000 for the chairman). The board was criticized by Mayor William D. Euille (D) and other City Council members for approving the raise.
Atherton said the decision, which takes effect with the new board, is part of a larger problem.
"The current school board has shown very little accountability," said Atherton, who was a school board member in his home town of Natick, Mass. "They doubled their own pay, they voted to add administrative positions, and they continue to add administrative positions that don't appear to add anything to the schools."
As an example he cited the newly created position of assistant superintendent of public affairs, which will be filled by outgoing T.C. Williams principal John Porter.
Several other candidates also called the district top-heavy, saying too much money is being spent on central administration and high-profile staffing.
"Why are we paying an athletic director $92,000 a year when we have teachers being paid less than half that amount?" wrote Sanford Horn as part of a list of reasons he is running.
Candidates said they would also like to see more communication between the school system and the public.
"School board members need to be out at civic association meetings, PTA meetings, NAACP meetings," said Sheryl Gorsuch, a former PTA council president who is running for a seat.
Ronnie Campbell agreed, adding, "In the past, the superintendent had roundtables in different areas, and I think we need a little more of that."
Peabody said that the School Board should hold its meetings in schools, and Scott Newsham wants board members and central administration officials to be more visible to the public.
Yvonne Folkerts said she would continue to volunteer in schools to learn how they are working, and Blanche Maness cited her extensive experience as a principal and teacher as a reason she should be elected.
Several candidates cited improving teacher salaries as a priority. Perry's budget for the coming year would raise starting salaries for teachers with bachelor's degrees from $35,562 to $40,816, closer to that of some neighboring districts. First-year teachers in Fairfax earn $40,000, and the Loudoun School Board recently approved a new starting salary of $42,172 a year for teachers with bachelor's degrees.
Eileen Cassidy Rivera said the district should help teachers secure "realistic affordable housing opportunities" so they do not flee the city for more affordable areas. Elliott Branch also wants "sufficiently competitive" salaries.
Wilson said that though it is important to try to match salaries of neighboring districts, it is also important to find other ways to compensate teachers.
"Yeah, let's be somewhat competitive, but let's also offer enhancements that other school districts can't match," he said, adding that these could include offering a wider choice of benefits to teachers.
