THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 14, 1996 TAG: 9604120324
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
SOURCE: John Pruitt
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
While acknowledging that it might not be fair to give a pop quiz as Suffolk public schoolchildren remain on spring break, I want to test your savvy about a very important event: the upcoming School Board election.
Wait. Don't decide just yet that you'll fail dismally, therefore you'll skip; or that you know what you need to know about how you'll cast your vote, therefore you'll skip.
Some simple instructions:
First, make sure that you're relaxed and that you have a pen or pencil. That's all you need.
This is a multiple-choice test. Answer all the questions; chances are pretty good you'll luck onto some of the right answers.
Another hint: read into the test. It may contain some of the answers.
Ready? Here goes. . .
1. The School Board election is (a) Suffolk's first, since all previous school board members were appointed. (b) Suffolk's second. (c) The third since Nansemond and Suffolk merged.
2. Voting in the election is open to: (a) all city residents. (b) residents of specific boroughs. (c) residents with odd-number house addresses.
3. The election will be held: (a) May 7. (b) June 7. (c) April 30.
4. There are contested races in: (a) three boroughs. (b) two boroughs. (c) five boroughs.
5. Boroughs in which elections will be held are: (a) Chuckatuck, Cypress and Whaleyville. (b) Chuckatuck, Cypress and Suffolk. (c) Nansemond, Sleepy Hole and Whaleyville.
6. Among the candidates are: (a) the son of a former superintendent of Suffolk schools. (b) a state Alcoholic Beverage Control agent. (c) a minister. Pick three.
7. The School Board: (a) is supervised by the school superintendent. (b) supervises the superintendent. (c) supervises all school operations.
8. The election is important to: (a) everyone who has a child in school. (b) every Suffolk resident, children in school or not. (c) schoolchildren, educators, school administrators, parents and other Suffolk residents. Pick three.
There. That wasn't so bad, huh? To further research your answers, go to the center of this newspaper, where you can learn about the candidates and where they stand on various issues.
Indeed, the election is so important - what with Suffolk's current growth and projected growth - that the responses are worthy of study.
As for the answers:
1. This is the second time Suffolk has elected School Board representatives. It's ahead of some Hampton Roads cities, including Virginia Beach, which has an immense number of candidates.
2. Voting is limited to residents of specific boroughs. For example, you have to live in the Nansemond borough to vote for its school board representative.
3. The election will be held Tuesday, May 7.
4. There are contested races in two boroughs.
5. Elections will be held in three boroughs, including the uncontested election in Whaleyville.
6. You did pick A, B and C, didn't you?
7. The school board, elected by the people, supervises the school superintendent, who supervises school operations.
8. It is indeed important to all of the categories.
If Suffolk is to improve instruction, raise student performance on standardized measures and prepare its children to take their place among the world's best and brightest, the school system must have leaders who understand both the importance of the basics - the three R's, if you wish - and challenging instruction and experience for both the academically deficient and the academically gifted. Your assignment is to study the candidates so you can make good choices.
Comment? Write to the editor or call 934-7553. by CNB