November 2, 2008
dueling high-profile endorsements in the 2nd District school board race
In what must be a response to Mark Warner’s endorsement of Kim Gray in her bid for the 2nd District school board seat, the incumbent Lisa Dawson has announced her endorsement by First Lady Anne Holton and Mark Emblidge, Chair of the State Board of Education.
From the press release:
In an endorsement from Anne Holton, the First Lady says, “Lisa Dawson has done an exemplary job on our School Board and is the clear choice in this year’s election for Representative in the Second District. She has worked in a difficult environment to build bridges on the Board and to bring accountability and the pursuit of excellence to our schools. Lisa is a tireless advocate for our children and is committed to improving our schools. I am grateful for her service and know she will continue to serve our community well, as we work to take our schools from good to great.” Ms. Holton and her husband Tim Kaine have been long-time RPS parents as all three of their children have attended Richmond city schools since Kindergarten.
Mark Emblidge, Chair of the State Board of Education has also endorsed Dawson’s candidacy indicating that her experience means, “she’ll be ready to hit the ground running for the city’s children and our schools.”
Dawson has already had 4 yrs to make change in RPS’s. Do we really want to give her another term to make such little progress.
Kim is a graduate of Leadership Metro Richmond. Dawson is just now taking this extensive class. Kim prepared herself for the job before running for the position. to me that gives her the advantage in actually making the changes our schools require.
What has Lisa Dawson done during her 4 years on School Board?
REFUSED to cooperate with City Auditor Umesh Dalal’s audit of Richmond Public Schools. Eventually, (and only AFTER receiving intense negative political pressure) did Dawson reconsider her vote.
REFUSED to accept money from City Council and Councilman Hilbert to place an I.B. program at Henderson Middle School.
REFUSED to allow the 21 (or so) children of the founders of the Patrick Henry Charter School a guaranteed admission.
REFUSED to hold RPS administration accountable for wasting nearly $700,000 moving the RPS I.T. Dept. to the Tech Center.
She DID decide to spend more than $50,000 for a “Bon Voyage” party for retiring RPS Supt. Deborah Jewell-Sherman.