THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 5, 1996 TAG: 9607030253
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 13 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY ELIZABETH THIEL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 55 lines
When he graduated from Indian River High School in 1973, Thomas L. Mercer's goal was to one day be superintendent of public schools.
But his life has taken a different, ironic twist. He's now one of nine of the superintendent's bosses.
Mercer was among four newly elected School Board members who were sworn in last week.
He had only a brief stab at a career in public education. He got a degree in social studies and religion from Atlantic Christian College, now Barton College, in Wilson N.C., with a certification to be a teacher. He did his student teaching and some substitute teaching.
But that's where his life took a new twist.
``I felt a call from God to be a pastor,'' said Mercer, who now presides over Hickory United Methodist Church on South Battlefield Boulevard near the city's southern border.
``I could have been very, very happy as a teacher.''
But now, ``I couldn't be happier with Chesapeake, with Hickory, with this church,'' he said.
He attended the Divinity School at Duke University in Durham, N.C., and earned his master's of divinity in 1980. He's been at the Hickory church for seven years.
Mercer also felt called recently to make a contribution to the city by serving on the School Board. He's had a close relationship with the school system through his children: Tommy, 12, a rising eighth-grader at Hickory Middle School; Christa, 11, a rising sixth-grader at Hickory Middle; and Luke, 8, a rising third-grader at Hickory Elementary.
Also, his wife, Susan, 34, teaches special education at Great Bridge Intermediate.
Mercer didn't want the School Board to be without a clergyman, now that the Rev. Larry Brayboy is leaving the board.
``I really think the School Board has been well-served by having a minister,'' Mercer said. ``It hasn't been that they've gone in there with a religious agenda. But they've gone in there with a high moral fiber.''
Mercer's congregation asked him to take the moral high road during elections by not joining either political party's ticket. Mercer's congregation includes members of both parties, such as Democratic Vice Mayor John W. Butt and Republican City Councilman Dalton S. Edge.
If the school system had all the money in the world at its disposal, Mercer figures he'd push to have full-day kindergarten and preschool programs for all children. Kids could learn skills earlier; test scores likely would go up.
``But I do think Chesapeake can't do that at this particular point,'' he said. ``I am realistic.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Thomas Mercer presides over Hickory United Methodist Church.
KEYWORDS: CHESAPEAKE SCHOOL BOARD by CNB