Smyth school board candidates share positions

Park District voters will vote in a special April 5 school board election. John D. “Gig” Edmiston challenges William A. “Bill” Veselik who was appointed last fall to fill the unexpired term of the late Sam Hambrick. Edmiston and Veselik responded to a questionnaire about their intentions, qualifications and positions as candidates for the school board. Their responses follow.

Edmiston lives on Harris Lane in Marion.
Why are you seeking election?
I am seeking the Park District School Board seat because I respect and cherish this school system. I have the ability to work well with a team and support group decisions, along with an understanding that the board sets a climate for the entire school district. I desire to work toward a stronger relationship between the board and the public it serves, which I do not believe has happened in the past. I have a keen eye toward serving the needs of all students, regardless of their abilities and backgrounds. I bring to the table an educational and business sense that is professional and I have a poised demeanor to view all sides of a decision. I have respect for diverse points of view and will listen to all parties involved. I will be committed to the Park District and supportive of teachers and staff (which is the real backbone of our school system). I want to hold quarterly district meetings to interact with citizens of my district and listen to their ideas and concerns and take them back to the board. I will be accessible to listen to the people and do what they tell me to do, not what I want to do. Furthermore, I will serve and be a voice for all of the Park District, not just a select few.
What do you see as your qualifications to hold public office?
I have lived in Smyth County my entire life and graduated from Chilhowie High School where I played several varsity sports. I had the privilege of being coached by several dedicated teachers. If it had not been for the leadership and work ethic of these professionals, my path may have taken another turn. Next, I attended Virginia Highlands Community College where my focus was on business and later on graduated from Bluefield College with a B.S. Degree in Organizational Management and Leadership with a minor in business. I have been a co-owner of a successful rental and investment business for several years. I know what it is to make tough decisions. I am committed to maintaining a quality education for all students and making Smyth County one of the best in the state. Having stayed in touch with the school system, I realize the importance of a good working board and accept the challenges it presents. I would represent all of Smyth County as a whole as fairly and equitably as possible.
Identify the school system’s best qualities and how you will support them, and its undesirable qualities and your recommendations for their improvement or elimination.
Smyth County School System’s best qualities are its commitment to excellence in education, equality of educational opportunity, and the recognition of each student’s individuality. Students differ in their rate of physical, mental, emotional and social growth and vary in their needs and abilities. Learning opportunities are provided that are consistent with personal development and potential. Programs are provided that allow an individual approach to each student’s learning style and educational needs. The school environment is conducive to learning. Smyth County has dedicated teachers who use a variety of techniques and have a classroom atmosphere where students can function and develop according to their abilities. On an average, 5,000 students pass through the doors of 15 schools in the county. There are seven elementary schools, three middle schools, three high schools, an alternative school, and one county wide career and technology center. Throughout the last eight years the Smyth County school division has had one of the lowest high school dropout rates among Virginia’s 133 school divisions. The school system fully meets the Standard of Quality mandated by the Virginia General Assembly. I will continue this legacy and strive to improve the communication between teachers, staff, students and parents about what is going on in our schools.
Serving as a member of your local school board is one of the most challenging and rewarding jobs an individual will ever undertake. It also is an enormous responsibility. My main concern is to keep our dedicated teachers and show them the respect they deserve. If we can find $20+ million to build and renovate new facilities, then we should be able to find funds for teacher and staff raises. If our employees are not happy, who will work in these facilities? The school system has lost millions in state support in recent years and this has affected jobs and salaries in our system. I know the decisions made by the school board will affect children and their parents, the livelihood of school system employees and the economic well-being of our community. I am willing to dedicate my time, energy, knowledge and understanding to the Smyth County School Board to improve our system to make it the best in the state. Another improvement would be for the taxpayers to have a bigger input of how some items are handled before it is a done deal!
On the basis of results of a facilities study that recommended physical school improvements and replacements amounting to $100 million, the school board is moving toward renovating one elementary school and building a new one. What do you see as pressing needs facing the school system’s properties?
Weighing the pros and cons of renovating an older school or building a new one takes preservation “know-how”, experience and creativity. Thinking that a newer school will result in a better education or misperceptions that an older school has unfixable flaws places schools at risk. The potential for renovation is sometimes dismissed without full consideration of the facts and long-term implications. Potential problems include inflated cost estimates for renovation, limited or no community input, hidden costs not accounted for and minimal consideration of community impacts. In addition to the known costs for designing and constructing a new school, are there other costs to the taxpayers that haven’t been calculated? If the new school will be built on an undeveloped site, there will be added costs to purchase and develop the land and to build roads, sewers, and other infrastructure. What is the availability and cost of additional transportation to the new site (busing)? Will more children be bused to the new school? If so, what are the added costs? Does the centrally located site offer more options (walking and biking)? If the existing school is planned for demolition, there will be costs to demolish it, decrease hazardous materials, and dispose of debris. Were these costs included in the final estimates? Renovating an existing building generally saves 25 percent of the cost of new construction as the building shell is retained. Do cost estimates reflect this savings? What are the indirect costs to the community? Has a Health Impact Assessment been conducted to see what the impacts will be on students? Have other locations been investigated. Were there public meetings asking what the community wanted? Was a citizens’ advisory committee formed to help explore the options and issues? These are only a few of many questions that citizens might ask of the new school.
The No Child Left Behind legislation is at the heart of one of the great debates in American education. What is your position on NCLB?
The No Child Left Behind legislation has been debated for quite some time. By imposing standards on students’ minds, we are depriving them of their fundamental intellectual freedom by applying one standard set of knowledge. Standardized tests oversimplify knowledge and do not test higher-order thinking skills. State standards are imposed on teachers. There is a disconnection between what students need to learn and the expectations of the No Child Left Behind policy.
If elected or reelected, you will have one vote to invest on each decision to come before the school board. What philosophy will guide those investments?
My philosophy that will guide my decisions that come before the school board will be to maintain that every student has unique talents which schools must identify and develop. My mission will be to ensure all students in Smyth County an education that enables them to become informed and productive citizens in our society. I will listen to all the citizens of my district. When I make a decision, I will keep the best interest, not only of my district, but of the county, in mind. I want all citizens in the county to respect and cherish the Smyth County School System as I did when I was growing up.
What is the most important thing voters should know about you to help them make their decision on Election Day?
The most important characteristic that voters should know about me is that I will represent the Park District with dignity and determination. This election is not about one person. It is about representing the Park District and the county as a whole to accomplish the goals of the school board with citizen input. I will be accessible to listen to the people and do what they tell me to do. Finally, I will serve and be a voice for all of the area not just a select few. No matter if an individual lives in my district or the county, if you have an idea, concern, question, or any input, I will listen and be sure you are heard. You as taxpayers have a right to voice your opinion. As a representative on the board, I will listen and serve the people and voice their opinions because I value their input.

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Veselik lives at 354 College Street, Marion.
Why are you seeking election?
Following a series of interviews last November, the current members of the Smyth County School Board saw fit to appoint me to fill my neighbor Sam Hambrick’s unexpired term until a special election could be held. I’ve very much enjoyed the past few months of my service on the board representing the Park District and I would like to continue serving in that capacity. I feel very comfortable serving on the school board and I think I’m a good fit when it comes to working with the other board members.
One of the main reasons I want to continue to serve on the Smyth County School Board is the fact that my son will be age five in June and my daughter recently turned one year old. Because of them, I know I’ll be involved in the school system for the next 17 years or so and I want to help make the county’s schools the best they can be for my own children and the children of every other parent and citizen of Smyth County. It’s a cliché, I know, but it’s true that our children will be tomorrow’s leaders and I’d like do my part in giving them the tools they will need to succeed in both the workplace and in our local
What do you see as your qualifications to hold public office?
First, I want to serve the people of the Park District and Smyth County and not my own ambitions. That should be any candidate’s primary qualification. I have no plans to use the school board as a springboard to seek any other “higher” office. A seat on the Smyth County School Board shouldn’t be anyone’s idea of resume builder, in my humble opinion. Service on the school board requires a serious commitment of time, hard work, and dedication, which I have already made over the past four months, and I stand ready to reaffirm those commitments should the voters of the Park District see fit to return me to office.
It has been a great honor to serve on the school board and I’m going to continue to concentrate on being the best board member I can be. In January, I took part in the Virginia School Boards Association’s first-ever webinar program, which tackled the subject of preventing cyber-bullying in schools. In February, I attended new school board member orientation in Richmond and I appreciated the opportunity to meet and network with other school board members—both elected and appointed—from across the Commonwealth. I’m also planning to attend several upcoming VSBA events. Keeping abreast of educational issues and policies across the Commonwealth via professional development is a crucial aspect of becoming and remaining an effective school board member. As a matter of fact, the “Hot Button Issue” seminar sponsored by the VSBA in Wytheville on March 16 was particularly useful and was attended by nearly all of the Smyth County School Board, along with several school administrators.
I’ve also worked the last 22 years in higher education, public information, and public relations at Wytheville Community College and I know how important it is to prepare our students to succeed in postsecondary education. The jobs of tomorrow will require more and more education beyond high school and our young people’s future success will start in our local schools. I can’t think of a higher calling than to help our students achieve their career and life goals.
Lastly, I’m no stranger to public service, having been the founding vice president of the Lincoln Theatre Foundation and having served on the foundation’s board of directors during its formative years. I was around when the foundation raised funds to purchase the theatre, put a new roof on it, and start the long road to renovation. I’m very proud to have done my part in establishing what is today a beautiful facility that enhances the cultural and educational opportunities right in downtown Marion.
Identify the school system’s best qualities and how you will support them, and its undesirable qualities and your recommendations for their improvement or elimination.
Without a doubt, our school system’s best asset is the loyal and dedicated employees who teach our young people, provide administrative assistance, feed our students, keep our schools clean and in good repair, and ensure that our children get to and from school safely. I believe recruiting and retaining the best teachers and staff members—while providing them with the up-to-date technology and materials they need to do their jobs—is the key to improving our schools and the academic performance of our students. I was more than pleased to support the school board’s supplemental compensation package for system employees back in January and I’ll continue to back improving the salaries and benefits we offer to the extent that our budget allows. I also believe strongly in the concept of pay for performance and I think we must always hold our staff to a high standard. Our young people deserve nothing less.
I continue to have concerns about safety within our schools and that is not to say that I believe our schools are unsafe, by any stretch of the imagination. Our resource officers make a real difference and the efforts of principals, teachers, and staff to enforce school rules are to be lauded. Still, the presence of illegal drugs remains a nagging problem and bullying in its many forms is a sad fact of life for students of all ages. “Gang” threats exist, as I have already heard on my time as a board member, the result of urban problems continuing to encroach on rural areas. I would support additional efforts that are appropriate to combat these problems, beyond mere “awareness” programs. I believe providing our students with a safe and comfortable environment in which to learn cannot help but improve their academic performance and their general sense of wellbeing.
On the basis of results of a facilities study that recommended physical school improvements and replacements amounting to $100 million, the school board is moving toward renovating one elementary school and building a new one. What do you see as pressing needs facing the school system’s properties?
Aging school facilities are a national concern. Just in the way that the Commonwealth must expend funds to repair our roads and reconstruct our bridges so that our transportation system is sound, we must be willing to commit the necessary finances for the renovation of our school facilities when possible and building new ones when it becomes necessary. We certainly, as a county, cannot afford the estimated $85-100 million cost of school improvements and replacements presented in the 2008 facilities study, but we can address critical needs as funds become available and I know that is being done now.
Our students need school facilities that are conducive to both teaching and learning, in addition to being as energy-efficient and “green” as possible. The planned new elementary school takes advantage of several such technologies and incorporates design elements that enhance such things as natural lighting. Efforts also are underway to replace transformers and other equipment in various schools in order to achieve energy savings. These are important investments that will pay dividends via lower energy bills down the road.
I certainly favor renovations over replacements whenever possible, in order to extend the life of our existing facilities. However, I realize that long-range planning efforts will help ensure that we don’t undertake renovations too close to a planned replacement project. For obvious reasons, we don’t want to follow the example of many localities that send in a crew to freshly repave a section of road just to turn around and open-cut the new roadbed a week later in order to install water or sewer pipes. As a current member of the school board’s Long Range Planning Committee, I hope to exert a positive influence in this area.
Recently, the Virginia Department of Education and the Governor’s Office announced that Smyth County will receive $4.5 million for the renovation of the Marion Primary School and a further $5 million to construct the new elementary school. This is a great start on our plans to address the long-term facilities needs of the county school system. I commend Superintendent Dr. Mike Robinson and his fine staff for their efforts in pursuing these funds and for their hard work to bring in additional grant monies to fund new and existing programs. Of course, we still must find additional funding sources in order to pay for the school construction and renovations costs that will not be covered by the $9.5 million. That is a subject the current School Board is just beginning to address.
In planning the new elementary school, I must say I’ve seen direct evidence of the school board’s diligence in seeking the input of everyone involved, including matters relating to the interior and exterior design of the proposed building. A great deal of care went into the selection and investigation of the site and I believe the board has been a good steward of the public’s money and has kept the overall process as open and inclusive as possible.
The No Child Left Behind legislation is at the heart of one of the great debates in American education. What is your position on NCLB?
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act, better known as “No Child Left Behind,” is a fact of life and we must deal with it until the next incarnation of it comes along. Then we will have to deal with NCLB’s successor. That is a fact of life.
As I explained to my fellow board members when I was interviewed for the Park District position, I believe the challenge of NCLB and the Standards of Learning established by Virginia in response to NCLB is how we, as a school system, can successfully meet or exceed the requirements of NCLB while still providing our young people with a meaningful and satisfying school experience.
NCLB actually has admirable goals, in that it is based on the belief that “setting high standards and establishing measurable goals can improve individual outcomes in education,” according to WikiPedia.org. That, in and of itself, is a worthwhile endeavor and one that has long been embraced by community colleges and four-year universities. NCLB requires individual states to develop standardized tests (given to all students in certain grades) that measure basic skills—and it dangles federal money as a carrot at the end of the stick.
Everyone likes the carrot. Nobody likes the stick.
President Obama mentioned in his State of the Union address earlier this year that NCLB will be replaced. It remains to be seen if and when that will happen, but if it does we must be prepared for what may follow. I’ve heard details at a very recent seminar presented by the Virginia School Boards Association that one aspect of the new program in Virginia could be use of “formative assessment” rather than just the currently used “summative assessment.” Currently, the SOLs measure a child’s test scores each year and determine whether the student is—or isn’t—proficient in a subject. That is summative assessment. Formative assessment would measure how much a child improves on the same test scores over a period of time. For example, if a child scored low on a math examination two years in a row but scored higher on the second than the first, the summative assessment information would show only that the child was not proficient in math for either year. Using formative assessment, however, the same tests might show that while the child was not proficient in math as of the second examination, the same child might have improved enough on his or her score to show that the child has made considerable progress despite not having achieved the desired proficiency. Without the second measure, the student’s actual academic growth cannot be properly measured and documented. It was suggested at the seminar that the formative assessment may also become an added factor in teacher evaluations, although that may likely be left up to local school districts. Presently, teacher evaluation processes across the Commonwealth vary widely.
I believe that establishing measurable goals and administering tests to show that students are meeting those goals is very valuable. School systems everywhere need hard evidence to back their claims that they are providing a solid education to their young people, especially in times of declining budgets. No Child Left Behind, for all its controversy, does exact a level of accountability from a school system and I believe the public has a right to expect that. The prospective changes to the system will no doubt improve the reporting measures that determine whether a child is making academic progress and which classroom teachers are the most effective in advancing student achievement. That’s vital information to have on hand when reporting back to the taxpayers.
I think it’s a shame, though, that because of No Child Left Behind, our teachers must spend much of their time “teaching to the test” so that their students can pass their SOLs. Often, there is little time left for anything else. The focus of practically every county school improvement plan I’ve seen in my time on the board involves devoting literally every minute of class time to teaching and learning. Consequently, I applaud the teachers and students who manage to squeeze out the necessary time for important curricular and extra-curricular activities despite the pressures of NCLB. It is a pleasure to see and hear from these students and their teachers at the school board’s monthly meetings. It’s truly heartwarming to learn about the many accomplishments our students have achieved in competitions across the region and the state. I’m sure all Smyth County’s parents and citizens take as much pride in our students has those of us on the board do.
If elected or reelected, you will have one vote to invest on each decision to come before the school board. What philosophy will guide those investments?
My late mother, who was a home economics teacher in Marion, was a very common sense kind of person and I think I inherited that quality from her. It’s amazing what a healthy measure of common sense can accomplish in nearly any situation. I also like to listen carefully to all sides before I make a decision on any issue. Even if I disagree with someone on an issue, it’s important that I listen to their opinions and take them into account. No one person has all the answers. The school board’s work is a collaborative effort. We need the input of students, teachers, staff, administrators, parents, and the general public.
That said, I do have only one vote in any given situation, and I hope never to cast it for the wrong reason. My father taught me that there is honor in voting against the majority if the vote is cast based on one’s strongly-held convictions. I told the other school board members when I was interviewed that I would vote against the majority if my conscience dictated that I do so. I stand behind that pledge. I hope always to be guided by the advice of my fellow Park District residents and to keep foremost in my mind what I believe is best for our students.
What is the most important thing voters should know about you to help them make their decision on Election Day?
I come from a long line of teachers, beginning with my great-great-grandfather in West Virginia in 1861 down through my great-grandmother, to my grandaunts and granduncle, two aunts, my mother, and my sister. I’m proud of that. I’ve also taught as an adjunct faculty member at Wytheville Community College. Consequently, I have a great appreciation for the teaching profession and I know the kinds of problems teachers face in the classroom based on my own experience. I also think I’m doing my part to carry on the teaching tradition in my family.
I want to bring that tradition of teaching and learning to the school board in my own way, through participation in professional development sponsored by the Virginia School Boards Association and via an investigative approach to dealing with the issues that come before the board. I never hesitate to ask a question when there is someone around who can help enlighten me. If I have a concern, I’ll voice it. I do my homework and read through the materials I’m given prior to every meeting. If a situation similar to an issue before our board exists in another Virginia locality, I like to go online and research what is being done in the other city or county. I don’t believe in reinventing the wheel if you don’t have to and I appreciate the opportunity to learn from other people’s successes and failures, as well as my own.