School board candidates make their case to city Democrats

Voters in Charlottesville will go to the polls this may to elect two city councilors and three members of the school board. Council has always been elected, but this is the first time in several decades that the electorate has a chance to decide who will govern the city’s schools. Though the elections are non-partisan, Charlottesville city Democrats held the first of many candidates forums on Saturday, March 18, with all six candidates in attendance. The event moderated by Sean O’Brien of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership, who now takes over our recording.

(00:00 – 03:13) – Introductions
(03:13 – 05:56) – Vance High’s opening statement
(05:56 – 08:16) – Sue Lewis’s opening statement
(08:16 – 11:56) – Juandiego Wade’s opening statement
(11:56 – 15:30) – Leah Puryear’s opening statement
(15:30 – 18:08) – Charlie Kollmansperger’s opening statement
(18:08 – 21:15) – Ned Michie’s opening statement
(21:15 – 29:19) – Q1: What is the candidate’s definition of achievement?
(29:19 – 39:53) – Q2: How can the school system help at-risk students? Would a charter school be an answer worth considering?
(39:53 – 50:32) – Q3: What do you think about school uniforms and single sex education?
(50:32 – 1:20:10) – Questions from the audience, addressed to a single candidate
(1:20:10 – 1:21:58) – Charlie Kollmansperger’s closing statement
(1:21:58 – 1:24:43) – Ned Michie’s closing statement
(1:24:43 – 1:27:29) – Vance High’s closing statement
(1:27:29 – 1:29:52) – Sue Lewis’s closing statement
(1:29:52 – 1:32:14) – Juandiego Wade’s closing statement
(1:32:14 -1:34:43) – Leah Puryear’s closing statement and the end

What do you think? Please leave a comment on our blog below.