Williams, Father of 3, Is Elected to Fill Vacant Seat
By Kameel Stanley
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, August 14, 2008; B02
Marc Williams is the type of parent who isn't afraid to call the chairman of the School Board if he has an issue.
In fact, Williams and his wife, Nancy, became such fixtures at Alexandria School Board meetings that officials started teasing them.
"It seemed like their date night would be coming to School Board meetings," Chairwoman Yvonne A. Folkerts said.
Starting next month, Williams will be attending board meetings in an official capacity: as its newest member.
Williams won a special election Tuesday, defeating three others vying for the seat vacated last month by former chairwoman Claire M. Eberwein. Eberwein resigned after announcing that her family planned to move overseas.
Williams, a 49-year-old father of three who works for IBM, received 1,298 of 2,995 votes, about 43 percent.
He defeated John F. Leary, Bernard D. "Bernie" Schulz and Elynn Simons.
Leary, a sixth-generation Alexandria resident, received 875 votes (29 percent). Simons, who also campaigned for a seat on the board in 2006, received 503 votes (17 percent). Schulz, who has worked on several School Board advisory committees, received 307 votes (10 percent). There were three write-in votes.
Williams will represent District B, which covers most of the center of the city. His six-week campaign focused on taking the district to the "next level of excellence."
One of his ideas is to survey teachers about ideas for classroom instruction. He also said he is eager to help with the transition of the incoming superintendent, Morton Sherman, who starts tomorrow.
"We have a terrific school district, but there's always room for improvement," Williams said.
Williams will serve the remainder of Eberwein's term, which ends June 30. All nine of the board's three-year seats will be up for grabs in May.
"I think he'll be a great addition to the board," said Folkerts, who has worked with Williams on curriculum issues. "He's one of those parents that have always stayed very engaged."
Tuesday's election drew more participation than expected. Almost 10 percent of the 30,877 registered voters in District B cast ballots.
"It was higher than anyone expected for a summer election," schools spokeswoman Amy Carlini said.
Representation on the Alexandria School Board is divided equally among three districts. Voters are allowed to cast ballots only in their district.
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