THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 22, 1996 TAG: 9603220004
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 39 lines
I am troubled by the response attributed to the members of the Virginia Beach School Board in regard to the report from the special grand jury. In particular, I was struck by the ``advice'' offered by this board to future board members: ``They (future board members) should be warned that they are now expected to be hardened skeptics skilled at financial analysis and adept at cross-examining witnesses.''
I offer a hearty ``amen'' to that. That is exactly what I want - officials who will recognize that their power to budget, regulate and oversee are paramount to the future of this school system.
School Board members have offered the argument that they are merely ``lay-people'' who have essentially ``volunteered'' their service to the city of Virginia Beach. No, they are elected officials who represented themselves as qualified candidates for a very important job.
I have no reason to believe that these board members knowingly advocated a system of corruption and irresponsibility. In fact, I am quite confident that each board member was sincere in his or her resolve to serve the city. However, the board must be judged by its actions, which consistently reflected poor knowledge, questionable judgment and profound incompetence.
A few words of advice for those seeking election to the School Board: Take time to consider the necessary prerequisites of the job. Evaluate whether your talents and abilities mirror those necessary to become an effective board member. Remember that you are representing every citizen of this municipality. You must put that consideration ahead of any personal interest.
GENE D. PAINTER
Virginia Beach, March 11, 1996 by CNB