THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 30, 1995 TAG: 9506280133
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY VANEE VINES, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines
Portsmouth is poised for its first School Board election next May. On Monday, acting City Attorney George Willson outlined the process.
City voters approved the switch from an appointed to an elected board last fall by a nearly 4-to-1 margin. Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions:
How many board seats will be up for election in May?
Five of nine. The terms of three board members expire in 1996: Vice Chairman James E. Bridgeford, Lawrence W. I'Anson Jr. and Louise G. ``Sis'' Walden. They must run for office if they want to keep their seats.
Because state law says a majority of the board must be elected next year, two of three board members whose terms expire in 1997 must step down a year early, Willson said. A lottery may be held to pick the two, he said.
The terms of Chairman J. Thomas Benn III, Ray A. Smith Sr. and Leah Stith expire in 1997. They can run for office. Four board members will be elected in 1998.
How long will elected board members serve?
Four years. The first group's terms will begin July 1, 1996.
What role will the U.S. Justice Department play?
Because Virginia has a history of alleged voting-rights abuses, the U.S. Justice Department must approve City Council's plan for electing board members. In the past, Portsmouth School Board members were appointed at-large. But the council, which is elected at-large, may create districts or wards for the board.
The department will determine whether the method of electing board members is fair to racial minorities. If it doesn't favor the city's plan, it can recommend changes. Ultimately, the department could push the city to change the way all public officials are elected.
What factors are considered?
The Justice Department considers four key factors when reviewing a locality's electoral plans:
The extent to which minorities have been denied an ``equal opportunity to participate meaningfully in the political process.''
The extent to which minorities have been denied ``an equal opportunity to influence elections and the decision-making of elected officials.''
The extent to which past discrimination has ``adversely affected'' voter registration and election participation among minority voters.
And the extent of racially polarized voting and racially segregated political activities.
What's next?
The council must figure out its next move. It could decide to craft an electoral plan and then present it to citizens for input. Or it could first schedule public hearings to give citizens a chance to say what type of plan they want.
There will be at least two public hearings on the matter, Willson said. Dates have yet to be set. The goal is to submit the plan to the Justice Department this fall. On Monday, the council said it would beef up efforts to publicize hearings and other meetings about the election.
How long will the department take to decide?
It can take up to 60 days to review and respond to the city's plan. If it asks for more information, the 60-day period will start again - once the department gets the requested information.
Will board members have the power to tax?
No.
Who can run for the board?
To run for local office, a citizen must:
Be at least 18 by the May 1996 election.
Be a registered voter. (Felons or persons ever deemed mentally incompetent by a court are forbidden to run.)
Be a U.S. citizen.
Have been a Virginia resident for at least a year on Election Day.
Be a Portsmouth resident.
Where can I get more information if I choose to run for a board seat?
The state has a how-to guide. Call 1-800-552-9745 to request one. Once the Justice Department approves Portsmouth's electoral plan, candidates will have until March 5 to file for office.
Are city voters stuck with an elected board?
No. Voters can hold a referendum to revert from an elected system to an appointed system. But state law says a school board referendum can't follow a previous one in the same locality for at least four years. by CNB