THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 10, 1996 TAG: 9603090147
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: Cover Story: May 7 Election
LENGTH: Long : 186 lines
Stuart R. Gordon
Age: 58
Address: 1600 Barnards Cove Road (Thoroughgood)
Occupation: Attorney
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running? Unavailable for comment (out of town last
week)
What can you contribute? Unavailable for comment (out of town
last week)
Children: Three, all graduates of Virginia Beach schools
Robert C. Mandigo Jr.
Age: 43
Address: 100 block of Gallant Fox Road (Carolanne Farms)
Occupation: Auditor in U.S. General Accounting Office
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running? There are a lot of good people in the
school system who are getting tarred with the same brush and a lot
of taxpayers who are upset. So we have to bring the taxpayers back
into the school system and we have to fix it. We need to
re-establish order and accountability. When we do that, it will
rebuild confidence. We have to show them we can manage money and
achieve the district's mission, which will take time. That's why I
applied for the four-year position. I'm a product of the system. I
graduated from Kempsville High in 1970.
What can you contribute? I have some ideas and knowledge that I
could add to the board and the mission of the school system.
Children in school? An 11-year-old at Arrowhead Elementary and a
14-year-old at Kempsville High.
John J. Mason
Age: 37
Address: 5200 block of Lowery Downs (Stratford Chase)
Occupation: former Naval officer now a graduate student at Old
Dominion University pursuing a master's degree in education
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running? I have a 10-month-old daughter. I want to
put my vision forward to (help ensure) the quality of education when
she starts school in four years.
What can you contribute? Fiscal oversight, making sure the books
balance. I can provide a vision on where the school system is
heading as far as . . . how it can work better with parents and how
parents can work better with students. I will also work for better
press for the schools.
Children in school? None.
George R. Melnyk Jr.
Age: 28
Address: 1800 block of Winter Wheat Court (Landstown Meadows)
Occupation: Project manager for Premier Millwork & Lumber Co.
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running? My wife's a teacher. I hear her concerns on
a daily basis and a lot of our acquaintances are teachers. I look at
the turmoil and I think they need people in there who have the
children's interest in mind. I think they do have their interests in
mind, but I don't think they are guided in the right direction. I
have some business experience that would be valuable.
What can you contribute? I can contribute the input of the
teachers. I am business-oriented. I have some experience in the
building industry.
Children in school? 2-year-old daughter.
Dr. Pedro P. Rodriguez
Age: 67
Address: 2100 block of Wolfsnare Road (Hilltop)
Occupation: Veterinarian and retired army colonel and retired
civil service
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running? An interest in educating the future citizens
of America and a desire to see that board positions be filled by
qualified individuals. He doesn't believe the children should suffer
for ``somebody's mistakes'' by cutting classes like music, gym and
art.
What can you contribute? Has an interest in teaching and tutoring
and the future of children. More to my favor, I think, is that I
don't have an interest because of my kids, I have an interest
because of all the children.
Children in school? Three grown children.
A.F. ``Mike'' Mitchell III
Age: 47
Address: 5400 block of Angus Drive (Brigadoon Woods)
Occupation: Director of Contracts for Management Systems
Applications Inc.
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running? I want to use my expertise and experience in
financial management to ensure fiscal responsibility on the part of
the board and the school administration in the development and
implementation of annual budgets that ensure equal opportunity for
all students to a continuously improving quality education.
What can you contribute? I have the financial background to pay
more attention to the budget and expenditures, making sure they're
getting spent in the way and the rate that was approved by the board
to begin with. I also work with a group called Making a Difference
Foundation; I spend three to four nights a week working with middle
and high school children, preparing them for the SAT examination and
tutoring them.
Children in school? Six daughters: four graduates of Virginia
Beach schools, one at Brandon Middle School, one at Salem High
School.
Jane E. Nosonchuk
Age: 36
Address: 1300 block of Northvale Drive (Rosemont Forest South)
Occupation: Pediatric nurse practitioner
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running? I have lived here my entire life. I am
appalled about how little I knew about how things were being run
downtown. It is the right time for me to become involved and make a
difference. I have four children in the system so I have a vested
interest. I have pulled my older children out of private schools and
put them back in public schools because I believe in them. I would
like to see them get back on track.
What can you contribute? A flexible schedule. I have a knack for
trouble shooting, researching the heart of a problem. If I need
help, I have no problem going to other people and getting opinions.
I like to listen to all sides before I make an irreversible
decision.
Children in school? Two at Salem High School, two at Glenwood
Elementary.
James P. Polk
Age: 38
Address: 100 block of Nina Drive (Columbus Loop Apartments)
Occupation: Clinical psychologist
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running? I have an interest in education. I do a lot
of specialized testing for people and about half of it is testing
children with academic problems who are referred by parents and
teachers. I do detailed interviews with the family and the student
and help them come up with a plan to get them moving in the
classroom.
What can you contribute? I'm very concerned that this crisis in
the school system will turn the board into nothing but certified
public accountants and businessmen. There's nothing wrong with that,
but we need a mix. We need someone like myself who is trained as a
psychologist. . . . I don't want to see the curriculum lost in
education. I have a high energy level, and my practice is doing well
enough now that I can cut back and devote time to the board.
Children in school? Two, an 8-year-old and a 6-year-old at
Trantwood; and a 2-year-old at home.
Michael J. Prokopchak
Age: 43
Address: 5100 block of Stratford Chase Drive (Stratford Chase)
Occupation: School teacher/science department chairman in Norfolk
Public Schools
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running? I feel it's important that a person in the
education field is part of the board. I'd like to help get the
budget balanced and control spending.
What can you contribute? My experience in education and knowing
what the system requires, and the needs of teachers and
administrators in the system.
Children in school? Two at Kempsville Middle School, one at
Kempsville Elementary, one not in school.
Gary A. Reese
Age: 47
Address: 1500 block of Willimantic Drive (Salem Woods)
Occupation: Schoolteacher in the Chesapeake school system and
retired naval officer
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running? Has an interest in the education of children
and is concerned with re-establishing the reputation of the school
district.
What can you contribute? Wants to improve teachers' pay as well
as teacher performance. Wants to see a return to education basics
and introduction to new technologies. Is also concerned that
children feel safe in school.
Children in school? Two children, one at Salem Middle and one at
Salem High.
by CNB