THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 10, 1996 TAG: 9603090151
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: Cover Story: May 7 Election
LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines
Neil L. Rose
Age: 36
Address: 1300 block of Harris Road (Little Neck)
Occupation: Tax and business attorney
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running? I'm running because I'm a taxpayer with a
third-grader and twin first-graders in the system, and I want to use
my professional skills to give all the children in the Virginia
Beach school system the best education we can give them.
What can you contribute? I have a fair amount of volunteer
experience on boards so I know how to work on them. I have an
undergraduate degree in finance. In the next five years, we have to
focus on getting class size down and continue successful programs
like magnet schools and I would like to work to the point where
people say that Virginia Beach has the best school system. All the
schools are good now. I would like them to be much better.
Children: Three in public schools, a 9-year-old in third-grade,
twin 6-year-olds in first-grade.
Rosemary Capps Wilson
Age: 45
Address: 900 block of Windsor Road (Bay Colony)
Occupation: Former teacher and small business owner
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running? I'm looking for fiscal accountability and
responsibility and I'm looking for refocusing on the real mission of
the School Board, which is that we're in partnership with the entire
community to ensure each student is empowered with the skills and
knowledge to meet the challenges of the future. I am looking to
rebuild the public trust between the School Board and the
community.
What can you contribute? I know how to ask questions, I know how
to get answers and I have good common sense.
Children in school? One at Kempsville High, one at Cox.
Frank E. Rough
Age: 49
Address: 3200 block of Clubhouse Road (Princess Anne Plaza)
Occupation: Student at Norfolk State University's Graduate School
and a substitute teacher for gifted and special education.
Previous elected post: none
Why are you running? I'm working on a master's degree in
teaching. I have interests in special education in the school
system.
What can you contribute? I have a bachelor's degree in business,
a master's in public administration, a good understanding of school
systems.
Children: One daughter, 11, attends Kemps Landing Magnet School.
Sonja M. Watts
Age: 41
Address: 4800 block of Princess Anne Road (Kempsville)
Occupation: Teacher at Norfolk Preparatory High School and
Providence Bible College
Previous elected post: Ran unsuccessfully for the Kempsville seat
on the board in 1994.
Why are you running? When I ran in 1994, I saw a need then for
innovative. . . programs. I saw a need for more parental
involvement. I favor site-based management as a good means for
involving parents. I don't want to deal with the budget. I don't
want the public to think that's all I'm running for. I would push
for an increase in teachers' salaries and I favor a reduction in
classroom size on all levels. I don't want the academic needs of
teachers and students to be forsaken.
What can you contribute? As a teacher with the leadership
qualities I have, I could contribute knowledge, foresight, skills.
Children: Three sons, two in college and one at Indian River
Middle School in Chesapeake
by CNB