Correction: an earlier version of this article had candidate Jody Ray’s name listed incorrectly. The Radford News Journal regrets the error.
The Radford School Board has five candidates running to fill three seats in the May 1 election. Board members serve four-year terms. The Radford News Journal sent questionnaires to the candidates who were asked to answer five questions in approximately 100 words each. Similar formats for the city council and mayoral elections will appear in next week’s editions. Answers were printed as they were received.
Carl Mitchell (Incumbent)
Why do you want to be on the Radford School Board?
Primarily, I want to be able to continue facilitating the many relationships I brought to the table to aid in the efforts Radford City Public Schools is making to maintain Radford City’s successes educationally and as a community!
Four years ago, I committed to raise the level of priority towards providing professional development opportunities for our teachers and staff that when coupled with renovating existing facilities for state of the art capacity, lead in our work to more diligently provide and promote equal access to a S.T.E.A.M – H.P.C. Educational vision for all our students Pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. (S.T.E.A.M. – H.P.C. = Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math & High Placement Careers, i.e. Vocational and Trade Based Skills Development).
Working with others members of the school board, we have done just that! We are now several years into an engaging in new STEAM-HP based curriculum being developed and led by our teachers and staff.
We have the vision and plans for The Southwest Virginia Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning.
We have public/private partnerships in our Maker Spacers at McHarg Elementary, the Think A Bit Lab at Bell Heth and improved Computer Labs at Dalton Intermediate and the High School, not to mention the significant improvements in our CTE instruction.
These public/private partnerships include local businesses, such as Tech Lab, Inc. and Thompson & Litton: Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, as well as, national corporate support through Steelcase and QualComm. We also have tremendous partnerships with Virginia Tech, Radford University and New River Community College.
All of which, I had a personal level of involvement in bringing forward. These partnerships and successes will only grow as we offer new and initiative teaching and programs and I want to be there to help facilitate that growth.
Why are you qualified to be on the board?
Experience, perspective and relationships – I believe that the past four years on the school board has provided me with the foundation and understanding of policies and procedures necessary to continue the great work that was started in earnest three years ago with selection of our Superintendent Rob Graham and his central office administration.
In addition, my professional experiences have allowed me to develop my skills to help manage, find and guide the quest for financial support, serve and assist in making the hard decisions that will yield what is best for our children. Those experiences have included serving as: a vocational high school instructor in the Hanover County Public School System, a small business owner, a staff scientist, a practitioner as President & CEO of a business, economic, workforce and community development organization, a member of the New River Valley Workforce Investment Board, Executive Director of One Care of SWVA, a member of the Radford Youth Adult Partnership, a member of the Radford Local Advisory Board of the NRV Community Services Board and currently as a director of major gifts for VA Tech’s College of Engineering.
My wife, Lori and I have been blessed with six children, four of whom have exited the Radford School System and two still in the system.
This experience, as a parent, has provided a very accurate perspective of what our system has provided and what our system works to provide through daily instruction and extracurricular activities.
After having children in the system for 19 years and counting, I have the perspective of what our teachers, staff and administration face to provide a nationally recognized educational system.
Through my work and travels, I have the perspective of what to do to continue that level of excellence and the courage to address the areas where we may be falling in excellence.
What do you believe to be the school system’s biggest strengths?
I believe that school’s biggest strengths lie in the commitment, dedication and student first attitude of our Central Office Leadership, our teachers and staff. The love and care our Central Office leadership, teachers and staff provide to our students and their commitment to every student’s success is both remarkable and commendable.
Over the past three years, it has been an honor to have been an integral part of the development of a VISION for our students, school system and ultimately our community.
Working with the school board, the Central Office Leadership, teachers and staff set a tremendous five year plan for the education of our students engaging every student, pre-Kindergarten through 12, in an innovative curriculum that will give every one of our students the 21st century skills necessary to achieve much success in our every changing world.
Furthermore, the level of personal commitment shown by these individuals towards seeking community based partnerships to support, not only the classroom activities but just as important, the personal health and wellbeing of every student in our system is amazing!
From Head Start to Beans and Rice to the weekly support by the Radford Bobcat Program, no child goes hungry, feels alone or uncared for or without some level of tutoring and mentorship needed by the student.
What are the system’s challenges?
At the moment, the system’s greatest challenges are in seeking and maintaining funding levels for competitive recruitment and retention based teacher and staff salaries, as well as, building and facilities improvements determined by the facilities improvement study, I was a part of initiating several years ago.
We know through salary comparisons locally, regionally and on a statewide level that we continue to need to work with state and federal officials to increase the level of salary support to hire and retain the very best and brightest teachers and staff.
We now know a true estimate of what it would cost to bring ALL of our school facilities, both academic and athletic, up to code compliance and to provide the best physical academic and athletic environments over a five-year period.
The system’s challenge now is determining the best ways to fund these two critical priority areas for the school system without excessive burden to the community.
What would you like the voters to know about you?
As mentioned, my wife, Lori and I have been blessed with six children, four of whom have exited the Radford School System and two still in the system.
If re-elected, I would be a minority parent voice on the board. In a system of checks and balances, I believe it is critical to have that parental voice heard.
After having children in the system for 19 years and counting, I have the perspective of what our teachers, staff and administration face to provide a nationally recognized educational system.
Through my work and travels both stateside and internationally, I have the perspective of what to do to continue that level of excellence and the courage to address the areas where we may be falling in excellence.
I strongly believe that personal success and sense of community begins in the school system. I feel that by providing our children with a strong educational foundation and positive experiences, we can proactively facilitate their desire to want to give, stay or come back to the City after completing their higher education, military or other work experiences.
I have been and will continue to be an advocate for a business, community and education workgroup that meets regularly to continue to dialogue over the challenges and opportunities we have for our children that is also for the good of our community and then using the technologies available, engage the community to support those efforts.
I humbly ask for your vote on May 1, 2018, so I may continue to advocate and implement a positive vision for our students and community.
Liz Altieri
Why do you want to be on the Radford School Board?
I am still very active in my career as a professor, but am working my way back into public service as a transition to retirement in the next five years.
Developing strong teachers and making schools a better place for all children has been my life’s work. I am a great admirer of Radford City Schools and the folks who work to make RCS be a fine example of a small city public school division in Virginia.
I want to be on the school board to help Radford transform its facilities and curriculum into a 21st century model for our region.
Why are you qualified to be on the board?
As a teacher educator, I have been in schools every week for the past 20 years. I see the problems faced by our students, families, administrators and teachers.
Across my career, I have written and managed more than $4 million in grants – I know how to bring in the money.
Through my work at Radford University, I have developed strong working relationships with administrators in the region and the VA Dept. of Education.
I will bring these qualities – collaboration, hard work, dedication, and passion – as well as my knowledge of PreK-12 curriculum, and skills in teacher preparation/development.
What do you believe to be the school system’s biggest strengths?
Radford City Schools has teachers, staff, and administrators who truly care about children and youth, and who work as a team to address the learning and emotional needs of even our most vulnerable children. Because we are a small school division, students have the opportunity to develop close relationships with teachers and to receive individualized support. We have strong academic, visual and performing arts, and sports programs. RCPS has put in place an exciting Innovations in Education team led by the superintendent and director for curriculum and instruction and an exciting vision for the future.
What are the system’s challenges?
Maintaining and increasing salaries to support a highly positive quality of life for all teachers, administrators and staff will become increasingly difficult.
We want to attract the brightest and the best to come to our schools even as the field faces a terrible shortage of teachers.
We also need a major infusion of funds to bring our facilities, equipment and buses into the 21st century.
We need to bring in young families with children, not lose them to other NRV communities, and for that, we need good, affordable housing and attractive, good-paying jobs.
The mental health needs of our students are reaching crises proportions, and we will need new services and support strategies such as trauma-informed care.
What would you like the voters to know about you?
Thanks to my work as a teacher educator, I have a depth and breadth of knowledge and expertise usually not found in a school board candidate.
I am current on the laws, regulations, research and trends that frame our work in the schools. I stay abreast of the national, regional and local issues affecting children, youth, families, teachers and schools.
I keep up to date on and teach high impact practices that enable teachers to truly make a difference – the teaching and learning strategies that ensure the success of ALL students, especially those with emotional, behavioral and learning challenges.
Lee Slusher
Why do you want to be on the Radford School Board?
As a retired Radford City Schools teacher, I want to continue serving the children in our community as I have done for almost 30 years.
I want to share my time and talents with a board that helps our students become the very best they can be in a rapidly-changing world.
Why are you qualified to be on the board?
As a retired teacher, I understand the challenges facing teachers and children in the classroom. Since my retirement in 2013, I have cultivated strong relationships with current school board members, administration, staff, and teachers.
I am a volunteer school division leader, serving on numerous committees as well as on the Board of Directors for the Radford City Schools Partners for Excellence Foundation, Inc. which gives me the opportunity to be a focus group member researching marketing strategies and multi-million dollar grant opportunities that will make the Southwest VA Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning a reality on our school campus.
What do you believe to be the school system’s biggest strengths?
The school system’s greatest strengths are the relationships among administration, teacher, staff, the community, and the parents.
There is a shared vision and a commitment to making Radford the best school system in Virginia!
What are the system’s challenges?
Without question, the school system’s greatest challenge for all five of us running for a school board seat is the personal safety of our students and employees.
A very important challenge will be funding for infrastructure and the new Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning.
What would you like the voters to know about you?
I’m a cradle Bobcat who dedicated most of my adult life to teaching children and helping them grow and thrive.
My colleagues know me as a leader, dedicated teacher, and child’s advocate. I regularly attend school board meetings and visit schools to keep informed.
My work with other on the Partners Board has resulted in providing educational opportunities for our children, including hosting VA Opera, renovating the beloved Arnheim House for school use, and fund-raising for projects like drapery replacement in the high school auditorium and building the Bobcat Cross Country Trail.
Parents trusted me to educate and love their children. I sincerely hope that trust will continue as a new member of the school board.
Lynn Burris (Incumbent)
Why do you want to be on the Radford School Board?
I’m proud to have the privilege of serving on the Radford City School Board currently. I believe in the vision of excellence that our education system has in the city. I believe in our school motto, “excellence in education, every student, every day”, which truly captures the essence of Radford City Schools.
I enjoy working with our various community partnerships from the Radford City Council, New River Community College, Wytheville Community College, Radford University, Virginia Tech, and the other numerous initiatives.
I want to see the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning become a reality.
Why are you qualified to be on the board?
I have experience with budgets and education systems. I serve on the Governor’s School Board, the Radford Youth Adult Partnership, and the Special Education Advisory Committee.
We have a long-range renovation plan for the schools, and I want to see this through to completion.
I believe I am good at the most important parts of a leadership position which are the ability to actively listen to others, make effective decisions, and recognize my role as a member on the Radford City School team.
What do you believe to be the school system’s biggest strengths?
Without a doubt, it is the employees and staff. I witnessed this myself at the recent Makers Fair at Belle Heth.
Safety is another strength of our system, and we have a great working relationship with local law enforcement. The schools, as well as our community, truly care about the well being of our students and staff outside of the classroom.
This is evident by the Bobcat Backpacking Program, which provides food to students in need on the weekends and another excellent program, which allows our citizens to collect coats for children.
During the wintertime our schools opened our buildings for a warm place for people to receive a meal.
They also delivered meals to citizens. Further examples of community involvement are The Radford High School Foundation and the Partners for Excellence Foundation, which are both supportive of our school’s needs.
What are the system’s challenges?
Learning how to equip the students for today’s ever-changing society. The budget is always a challenge, but we are able to work together as a team with our City Council to get it accomplished. We want to keep our employees paid appropriately and competitively. We are working this year on employee benefits and to try to strengthen the benefit package.
What would you like the voters to know about you?
I am a strong advocate for our ACCE Students. The ACCE Program provides any Radford City student who resides in the City of Radford the ability to attend New River Community College for free for two years.
These students must maintain an adequate GPA and do community service each of their two years. I believe in equipping students with trade skills in order to be successful in today’s work force.
I have been married to a pediatric nurse for 33 years. My children and grandchildren have attended Radford City Schools. I am truly invested in the success of our students, staff, and citizens.
Jody Ray
Why do you want to be on the Radford School Board?
I want to be on Radford City School Board because I feel Radford City Schools has the ability to be the “benchmark” school division on the east coast. Radford City is a jewel, and has much to offer young families.
The school division should be the attracting factor that draws people into the city to live and raise their children.
I want to help the school division rise to this level, and specifically, help provide the resources and move obstacles out of the way, so our teachers can teach, and our children have the best education we can possibly offer.
Why are you qualified to be on the board?
I feel I am qualified to be on the school board because of my experience, education and life-long passion for education.
I have been a teacher, coach, athletic director, middle school principal, and a high school principal. I also have my Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership, and am endorsed as a superintendent of schools.
Most of all, I have two children in RCPS, a tenth grader and a first grader, who I want to make sure get the best education possible, along with all other RCPS students.
What do you believe to be the school system’s biggest strength?
I believe the biggest strength of RCPS is its students. When you step back and take a look at the accomplishments on the state and national levels over the years, you realize the students in Radford City are phenomenal.
Academics, sports, arts, and every aspect of the school is competitive across the state. Behind these students are the staff, teachers, administrators, and parents of the community.
It takes a village to raise a child, and Radford City Schools does a wonderful job of doing this.
What are the system’s challenges?
There are several challenges facing schools today. Obviously poverty is a challenge that we as a city have to overcome.
On top of this, the school facilities are getting old, and are in desperate need to some attention.
While our elementary schools are struggling with space for preschoolers, our middle and high school have to get ready for the 21st Century Learner.
Radford City needs to ensure the future of our students and city, by making certain our schools are attractive and competitive, so families will move to Radford for the schools.
Additionally, the ~125 students from out-of-district will not continue if we aren’t modernized and our facilities competitive with surrounding school divisions.
What would you like voters to know about you?
I would like the citizens of Radford to know that I am experienced, able, and will be involved with Radford City Schools for many years to come.
I am looking toward the future of the school division, and not the past. As mentioned earlier, I have a tenth grader and first grader in RCPS, and expect nothing but the best for them and all of their classmates.
I have served in other school divisions in capacities ranging from teaching to leading a school as a principal.
In short, I am the outlier, and know what the competition is doing to try to get ahead of the competition.
If the citizens deem me worthy, I would be honored to bring my education and experiences to RCPS as a school board member, to help the division be the very best it can be.
