Get to know your candidates: Q and A with the candidates for Radford City Council and School Board

RADFORD – Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8, and several seats on the Radford City Council and Radford City School Board are on the ballot. 

In addition to four seats on the city council and three seats on the school board, Mayor David Horton is running unopposed for re-election. In addition to the local elections, voters will cast a ballot for the Ninth District U.S. House of Representatives seat, for which incumbent H. Morgan Griffith, R, faces Tasha Lee DeVaughn, D.

The candidates for city council and school board were each asked to submit responses to a set of questions regarding the office they are seeking. Their responses are published here in their entirety, in alphabetic order. 

(city council and school board sub heads to go below opening graphs, one on the left and one on the right) (small head shot of each candidate with their response) 

Q and A with school board candidates

Gloria Boyd

1.Biographical/ educational background: 

I am a lifelong Radford resident who received a B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education from what is now Radford University. I taught seven years in Pulaski County in Kindergarten and first grade, and I spent my last 20 years in Radford City Schools in grades first and second. I retired in 2019. I also have four years of private preschool experience and 11 years as a Prepared Childbirth instructor. 

2. Current job:  

Retired

3. Why do you want to be a member of the Radford School Board?  

Family, children and education have been my life. I feel called to support our families and children to ensure a quality academic education. I plan to be a voice for all stakeholders: families, students, faculty, and staff as well as taxpayers. I want to protect teachers and the integrity of their classroom instruction. We must make our schools peaceful, respectful places of solid academic instruction again.

4. What skills/ strengths do you feel you would bring to the school board?  

My biggest strength comes from 27 years in public education and my knowledge of curriculum, standards of learning, teacher responsibilities, and relationships with families. I have attended school board meetings for the past six months to become more familiar with processes and policies.  

5. What do you see as Radford City Public Schools’ greatest challenges over the next few years?  

I think the biggest challenge at this time is enforcing peaceful, respectful behaviors in our classrooms including consequential responses that emphasize a zero tolerance. Our teachers deserve respect and instructional integrity. Our students deserve to feel safe in their schools. We must revisit report card changes in the interest of responsibility and accountability. I anticipate that as ARP and ESSER funds from the pandemic run out, we will need to be very fiscally discerning and responsible. Retaining our teachers and recruiting new ones is a concern.

6. What are Radford City Public Schools strengths?

Radford City Schools always had a reputation as the best in the area.  I think we can achieve that once again. I believe the ACCE program is a tremendous asset for students who can’t afford college or want to avoid student debt. We have excellent teachers, but they need a voice and our support.The proximity of RU, Va. Tech and NRCC allows opportunities for collaboration and field trips, etc. The renovation at McHarg is a huge asset for our children and teachers, but also to prospective citizens moving in.

7. Any other information you think voters should know?

I am an avid advocate for early family literacy as evidenced by my Project CRIB (Creating Readers Infancy and Beyond), which purchased new children’s books to push out during community events. I brought attention to Little Free Libraries and placed several in areas of economic need. I was awarded Volunteer of the Year in 2018 as “That Book Lady.” I also have a Facebook page as “That Book Lady” to share information about parenting, books, learning, etc.

Chris B. Calfee

1. Biographical/ educational background:

I have lived in Radford for over 30 years. My Wife Becki and I met at Radford High School when we were both in the Bobcat Marching Band. We started dating and 10 years later were married. After high school I received my associates degree from NRCC and later my Bachelor of Business Administration from Liberty University.

Becki and I chose to stay in Radford and grow our careers and raise our children here. We have two daughters, Bella and Addie. Both girls are in RCPS and are very active. I have spent over 20 years in the banking industry. I currently work at Summit Community Bank as a commercial lender.

I was selected to represent Radford on the Presidents Board at NRCC and was elected to the role of Vice-Chair this year. I also am a member of the Lions Club and the Masonic lodge. Becki and I are active volunteers for the Radford Regiment Marching Band.

You will find me at the games and events taking photos for the band and any other of the teams/clubs that would like them.

Becki and I live our lives and prioritize our needs very simply. Our faith comes first, our family comes next, and then comes anything else we can give to those in need.

We love being active parts of the Radford City Community.

2. Current job:

I am a commercial lender for Summit Community bank. I love working with business clients to identify and receive the funding needed to maintain and grow their business.

3. Why do you want to be a member of the Radford School Board?

I started attending school board meetings and have been to every meeting in person or watched online when we were not permitted to attend in person for the last four years now. What began as a conversation with the board over some issues of concern quickly grew into a passion for understanding more about the workings of the schools and how decisions were being made.

The more I learned the more I wanted to get involved. As an active volunteer I hear from parents, teachers, and students regularly.

I get to hear and see the good things the schools are doing. I also get to see and hear about the areas that we need to address and work on. I am an unbiased and approachable conduit for issues to be addressed.
I have also been recognized as a person who is willing to bring the issues to the proper attention or the board when needed. So as more people came to me to speak about issues, I thought why not make a difference from the board table directly. From my experience with other boards and

in the business world, the best way to change or reinforce policy is to be a policy maker.

My reason for running is simply to be a voice for my children and the other students. To represent the parents and staff who feel like no one listens to them or those who are uncomfortable speaking up on their own.

4. What skills/ strengths do you feel you would bring to the school board?

I am a parent and a businessperson with many years of experience volunteering at the schools. I am accustomed to communicating to and from the board, as well as listening attentively to build relationships, while achieving whatever is in the best interest of every party involved. Mostly what I bring to the board is a passion for overcoming obstacles to help provide the best environment for success.

5. What do you see as Radford City Public Schools’ greatest challenges over the next

few years?

The biggest challenges facing RCPS over the next few years would be an ever-changing list of priorities. That exact question has occupied several hours over several meetings being discussed and re-evaluated. I would however state that from my outside perspective the most pressing issue would be the state of behavior from students and personnel at RCPS. As a parent I should never have to be concerned about my children’s safety or wellbeing when they head to school.

Next, I would prioritize the grading scale being adjusted prior to the proper research being

completed and fully evaluated by the board. RCPS had a history and reputation of academic excellence. This led to Radford being a desirable destination for individuals and businesses who were relocating to our area. It also was a major factor that helped us to retain business and citizens.

Changing the scale that we measure achievement instead of trusting and empowering our staff to adjust the tools and resources for a student on an individual level is a serious cause of concern. It also creates an inconsistency with the grading scale of the students who attend RCPS through our

virtual partnership with Stride and VAVA.

Lastly there is an ongoing list of infrastructure priorities for the schools. This list needs to be reviewed with fresh eyes to determine wants from needs in a fair and unbiased way.

6. What are Radford City Public Schools’ strengths?

Radford’s strengths are and always have been their people. RCPS is a family of Bobcats that spread through the city, state, and even the world. I see this from the sidelines, the auditorium seats, and everywhere in town. Bobcats are strong and dedicated. We are willing to adapt, adjust, and overcome anything that life brings our way to make sure that our younger Bobcats get everything they need to be the best they can be. My desire to be elected to the school board is based on this very issue.

My goal is to make sure that every parent, student, and staff member of RCPS has the support and tools needed to be the best they can be. It’s as simple as Bobcat Pride.

7. Any other information you think voters should know?

I believe the success of the school board is dependent upon having open and honest conversations. I am not running for school board as a political steppingstone or for some desire to have my name out in public. My desire to be on the school board is not about me. It’s about allowing the people of Radford to have a voice and an unbiased say about what happens to and in our schools. It’s about making sure that all parents feel valued and heard. It’s about making sure that the teachers and staff know that someone does care about their working conditions and is willing to listen and help when we can. It’s about letting our students know that our goal is to help them learn how to think and analyze information and items in their life so they can then form their own ideas.

My campaign and my desire to be on the school board is to show that a concerned parent with a small group of individuals can make a difference. It’s about trying to be the best dad, the best citizen of Radford, and the best Bobcat that I can be. It’s about my love for Radford and my hope to make it as great as possible.

Ed Dickenson

1. Biographical/ educational background: 

I am a Radford resident of 12 years, I am married and my son attends McHarg Elementary. I am a retiree of the Army National Guard with 21+ years of service, both active and part time. Assignments during my military career include being a soldier in our local infantry units, Recruiting and Retention, and Brigade operations. My other work history includes five years as a Deputy Sheriff in Roanoke County and five years working as an operations manager for a small company in Roanoke. I studied business management at Virginia Tech after high school. I volunteer with Habitat for Humanity teaching home maintenance and home improvement classes, and I volunteer as a leader for the Virginia National Guard Family Programs.

2. Current job: 

I am a licensed home inspector and owner of a small business, Solid Spec Home Inspection Services.

3. Why do you want to be a member of the Radford School Board?

I am running for school board because I want to be a voice for teachers, parents, and all constituents by providing strong, decisive, and common-sense leadership for the board. I believe that teachers and parents are the key to our children’s education, and we need to provide them with all of the support that is required to accomplish educational goals.

My son has many more years in the school system, so I have a vested interest in seeing that high

standards for education and educational excellence are maintained in Radford City Schools. Mostly I want to ensure that our schools provide a safe and positive environment that will prepare our children for the future.

4. What skills/strengths do you feel you would bring to the school board?

As a military retiree, my professional strengths of organization, critical thinking, planning,

communication, and collaboration have been instrumental to my success as a current small business owner.

My leadership responsibilities were extensive and required a well-rounded knowledge of management techniques, operations planning and implementation, sourcing, human resources, training, marketing, and project initiatives.

My leadership and management experience has prepared me to make goal-directed, logical, and reality-based decisions.

A level of customer service is needed to provide our constituents with satisfaction that their elected officials are doing their job. As a small business owner, I understand this concept very well. After all, I am being hired to do a job and will be expected to perform to standard.

5. What do you see as Radford City Public Schools’ greatest challenges over the next few years?

I believe the greatest challenge facing public education in Radford is the same as it is for the state and for the entire nation. We need to make sure our children are being educated in a way that prepares them for life and future success. SOL test scores have declined considerably in Math and Science through the 2020’s. The VDOE (Virginia Department of Education) believes this is mostly due to COVID closures. However, data suggest that the decline began before COVID. There are many possible reasons for the decline. COVID, economic circumstances, educational methods, and societal changes are all likely factors.

The decline in test scores is a significant concern and needs to be addressed at all levels. However, teachers and parents are the key to our children’s education. Their input should be the main driving force in implementing policies that will correct the course of this educational decline.

6. What are Radford City Public Schools’ strengths?

The RCPS administrators and staff do a fine job taking care of needed requirements and ensuring that the schools operate effectively. The McHarg school project is a great example of how they set goals and plans and accomplished them to the benefit of our community.

Teachers are the most important component of our school system, and I have nothing but praise for our teachers. Teachers make the magic happen.

During the challenging COVID period, teachers did an outstanding job of preparing lessons and ensuring that education could continue despite the restrictions.

They continue to work, care for our children, and ensure that our children are prepared for the future.

They do this despite the challenges of discipline, security, and declining educational standards.

We need to put extra effort into supporting our teachers, and that is one of my core principles of school board leadership. The administration and school leadership are duty-bound to support the teachers.

7. Any other information you think voters should know?

My top priority as a school board member will be to address the discipline issues facing the schools. Our schools WILL provide a safe environment for students and teachers alike. This is a nonnegotiable standard. Ultimately this responsibility falls on the administration and the school board. The solution to the discipline issues our schools are facing will require strong and decisive leadership, and discipline problems need to be handled both effectively and appropriately. We need to work with the teachers and parents to identify the issues, causes, and address them head-on.

Students are individuals and have diverse needs and requirements, but we cannot make assumptions about the reasons or causes for discipline issues and we must treat every circumstance individually. Also, we need to be consistent with the expectations, standards, and consequences. Only with a foundation of safety in the schools, can we focus on education.

Jane C. Swing

1. Biographical/ educational background:
2. Current job: Part-time Standardized Patient, Simulation Lab, Radford University, Volunteer with multiple non-profit organizations, Retired from full-time employment with Radford University after 24 years.
3. Why do you want to be a member of the Radford School Board? I had been speaking with local teachers and hearing some of their concerns about our school system, concerns about the challenges that existed prior to COVID and the new challenges COVID presented and the challenges presented on return to regular school schedules. I was also aware that there were going to be three vacancies on the board. I knew I had the time and the expertise to help serve my community on the school board.
4. What skills/strengths do you feel you would bring to the school board?

I have a degree in Special Education, K-12 and an advanced degree in Adult Education. I have

taught K-12 grade students, have  taught classes for adults in business and industry, have taught classes at New River Community College and have taught public classes for adults who did not complete their high school education. I have experience as the Director of the Office of Adult Education and Literacy at Radford University, which included grant writing, budget management, professional development, curriculum design, training and conference and meeting organization and all the factors involved in such.

5. What do you see as Radford City Public Schools’ greatest challenges over the next few

years?

Our system faces challenges in repairs and replacements of facilities and the cost of such work. We also are challenged to continue to recruit talented professional diverse educators to teach our students. We are challenged to continue to strive to maintain and develop programs that provide all students with what they need, when they need it and in a way they can utilize to achieve their best as they grow into young adults.

6. What are Radford City Public Schools’ strengths?

Our system is fortunate to be staffed with professional educators who are dedicated to providing instruction to meet the needs of their students. They give their time, their knowledge, and their resources to support the development of these young learners. We have parents who want to see their children succeed. We have a community that believes in the importance of education. Radford residents attend sporting events, music events, performance events, and everything in

between.