Virginia Beach City Public Schools elections (2014)
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Six seats on the Virginia Beach City Public Schools Board of Education were up for general election on November 4, 2014. The districts of Bayside, Beach, Lynnhaven and Princess Anne were up for re-election, in addition to two at-large seats.
For the at-large seats, incumbents Dorothy Holtz and Robert Melatti sought re-election against four challengers. They were Alvenia Leboeuf, Ashley McLeod, Gregg O’Neil and Osmay Torres.
In the Bayside (District 4) race, incumbent Carolyn Weems faced challenger Clenise Platt. In the Beach (District 6) race, incumbent Samuel Reid competed against Sharon Felton. Lynnhaven (District 5) incumbent Emma L. Davis did not file for re-election; three candidates sought her seat. They were Michael Kelly, Carolyn Rye and Gregory Strangways. Two candidates, Kimberly Melnyk and Frances Thompson challenged incumbent William Brunke for the Princess Anne (District 7) seat.
Holtz and McLeod won election to the at-large seats. Weems, Felton, Rye and Melnyk won their respective district seats.
About the district
Virginia Beach City Public Schools is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Virginia Beach is home to 437,994 residents, according to the United States Census Bureau.[1] In the 2011-2012 school year, Virginia Beach City Public Schools was the third-largest school district in Virginia and served 70,978 students.[2]
Demographics
Virginia Beach City underperformed in comparison to the rest of Virginia in terms of higher education achievement and median household income in 2012. The United States Census Bureau found that 32.3 percent of Virginia Beach City residents aged 25 years and older had attained a bachelor's degree compared to 34.7 percent for Virginia as a whole. The median household income in Virginia Beach City was $65,980 compared to $63,636 for the state of Virginia. The poverty rate in Virginia Beach City was 7.4 percent compared to 11.1 percent for the entire state.[1]
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Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.
Voter and candidate information
The Virginia Beach School Board consists of eleven members that serve staggered four-year terms. Three members are elected at-large, and eight members are elected by specific geographic district. There
was
no primary election, and the general election
was
held on November 4, 2014. Six seats, including two at-large seats,
were
up for election in 2014.[4]
The filing deadline for school board candidates to get on the ballot in this election was August 15, 2014.[4]
Elections
2014
Candidates
At-large (two seats)
- Dorothy Holtz
- Incumbent
- Graduate, Fordham University and Old Dominion University
- Retired educator
- Alvenia Leboeuf
- Retired instructional specialist
- Ashley McLeod
- Graduate, Indiana University
- Communications and membership director, Virginia Maritime Association
- Robert Melatti
- Incumbent
- Graduate, Old Dominion University
- Program director, Beachevents
- Gregg O’Neil
- Graduate, Salem University and Troy University
- Lieutenant, Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office
- Osmay Torres
- Veteran, United States Navy
- Graduate, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Regent University and Florida State University
- Continuous Improvement Manager, LifeNet Health
Bayside (District 4)
- Clenise Platt
- Graduate, The College of William and Mary and Old Dominion University
- Financial consultant
- Carolyn Weems
- Incumbent
- Graduate, Clemson University
- Volunteer, Virginia Beach City Public Schools
Beach (District 6)
- Sharon Felton
- Staff, Old Dominion University's Perry Research Library
- Samuel Reid
- Incumbent
- Veteran, United States Navy
- Committee member, Virginia Beach Transit Extension Study Citizens Advisory Committee, the Headquarters Hotels Taskforce and the Oceana Land Use Conformity Committee
Lynnhaven (District 5)
- Michael Kelly
- Clinical associate professor, Virginia Tech
- Carolyn Rye
- Graduate, The College of William and Mary and Fairleigh Dickinson University
- Substitute teacher, Virginia Beach City Public Schools
- Gregory Strangways
- Graduate, Virginia Tech and the University of Richmond
- Director, LifeNet Health
Princess Anne (District 7)
- William Brunke
- Incumbent
- Graduate, Dominican College of Blauvelt
- Certified public accountant
- Kimberly Melnyk
- Graduate, Longwood University
- Former educator and current volunteer, Virginia Beach City Public Schools
- Part owner, Premier Millwork and Lumber Company
- Frances Thompson
- Graduate, Hampton University and Old Dominion University
- Retired educator and counselor
Election results
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Dorothy Holtz Incumbent |
24.8% | 34,749 | |
| Nonpartisan | Ashley McLeod |
22% | 30,823 | |
| Nonpartisan | Robert Melatti Incumbent | 20.1% | 28,261 | |
| Nonpartisan | Alvenia Leboeuf | 12.9% | 18,146 | |
| Nonpartisan | Osmay Torres | 11.1% | 15,528 | |
| Nonpartisan | Gregg O’Neil | 8.7% | 12,182 | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in votes | 0.4% | 579 | |
| Total Votes | 140,268 | |||
| Source: Virginia Department of Elections, "Official Election Results," accessed December 29, 2014 | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Carolyn Weems Incumbent |
67% | 53,625 | |
| Nonpartisan | Clenise Platt | 32.7% | 26,160 | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in votes | 0.3% | 273 | |
| Total Votes | 80,058 | |||
| Source: Virginia Department of Elections, "Official Election Results," accessed December 29, 2014 | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Sharon Felton |
60.6% | 47,325 | |
| Nonpartisan | Samuel Reid Incumbent | 39% | 30,408 | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in votes | 0.4% | 297 | |
| Total Votes | 78,030 | |||
| Source: Virginia Department of Elections, "Official Election Results," accessed December 29, 2014 | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Carolyn Rye |
43.9% | 33,493 | |
| Nonpartisan | Michael Kelly | 43.6% | 33,271 | |
| Nonpartisan | Gregory Strangways | 12.1% | 9,242 | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in votes | 0.4% | 274 | |
| Total Votes | 76,280 | |||
| Source: Virginia Department of Elections, "Official Election Results," accessed December 29, 2014 | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Kimberly Melnyk |
37.6% | 29,379 | |
| Nonpartisan | William Brunke Incumbent | 36% | 28,147 | |
| Nonpartisan | Frances Thompson | 26% | 20,301 | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in votes | 0.4% | 276 | |
| Total Votes | 78,103 | |||
| Source: Virginia Department of Elections, "Official Election Results," accessed December 29, 2014 | ||||
Endorsements
The Virginia Beach Education Association PACE (Political Action Committee of Educators) endorsed incumbent Dorothy Holtz and Alvenia Leboeuf for the at-large seat, Clenise Platt for the Bayside (District 4) seat, Sharon Felton for the Beach (District 6) seat, Carolyn Rye for the Lynnhaven (District 5) seat and Kimberly Melnyk for the Princess Anne (District 7) seat.[5]
In an October 22, 2014, editorial by The Virginian-Pilot, the staff endorsed incumbent Robert Melatti and Osmay Torres for the at-large seats, incumbent Carolyn Weems for Bayside (District 4), Sharon Felton for Beach (District 6), Michael Kelly for Lynnhaven (District 5) and incumbent William Brunke for Princess Anne (District 7).[6]
Campaign finance
Candidates received a total of $85,316.86 and spent a total of $56,562.86, according to the Virginia State Board of Elections.[7]
In the at-large race, candidates received a total of $36,109.31 and spent a total of $22,832.16.
| Candidate | Contributions | Expenditures | Cash on hand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dorothy Holtz | $2,500.00 | $258.00 | $2,242.00 |
| Alvenia Leboeuf | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Ashley McLeod | $7,469.82 | $5,486.72 | $1,983.10 |
| Robert Melatti | $15,859.00 | $7,493.66 | $8,365.34 |
| Gregg O’Neil | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Osmay Torres | $10,280.49 | $9,593.78 | $686.71 |
In the Bayside (District 4) race, candidates received a total of $5,009.00 and spent a total of $5,001.42.
| Candidate | Contributions | Expenditures | Cash on hand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clenise Platt | $5,009.00 | $5,001.42 | $7.58 |
| Carolyn Weems | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
In the Beach (District 6) race, candidates received a total of $3,174.34 and spent a total of $3,029.56.
| Candidate | Contributions | Expenditures | Cash on hand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharon Felton | $3,174.34 | $3,029.56 | $144.78 |
| Samuel Reid | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
In the Lynnhaven (District 5) race, candidates received a total of $15,831.99 and spent a total of $8,044.02.
| Candidate | Contributions | Expenditures | Cash on hand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Kelly | $10,418.00 | $5,874.46 | $4,543.54 |
| Carolyn Rye | $1,913.99 | $1,232.22 | $681.77 |
| Gregory Strangways | $3,500.00 | $937.34 | $2,562.66 |
In the Princess Anne (District 7) race, candidates received a total of $25,192.22 and spent a total of $17,655.70.
| Candidate | Contributions | Expenditures | Cash on hand |
|---|---|---|---|
| William Brunke | $21,642.22 | $16,069.10 | $5,573.12 |
| Kimberly Melnyk | $3,550.00 | $1,586.60 | $1,963.40 |
| Frances Thompson | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Past elections
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2012
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What was at stake?
Issues in the election
Bribery claims
During a radio show on October 20, 2014, Princess Anne candidate Kimberly Melnyk claimed that three elected officials, including opponent William Brunke, bribed her with committee assignments and money to drop out of the race. She also mentioned Board Chairman Dan Edwards, but refused to name the third person. Brunke strongly denied the claims, saying that they had a conversation in July 2014, where Melnyk mentioned dropping out but that she wanted to get more involved in the community; Melnyk, however, denies telling Brunke that she ever wanted to drop out of the race. Upon being asked if Melnyk ever specifically mentioned dropping out, Brunke answered, "You know, we’re talking about a relatively benign conversation that took place four months ago. I just don’t have a minute by minute recollection of exactly what words were used and where.” Edwards said that he had met with all the board candidates to discuss ways they can serve the district if they aren't elected, but said he never offered appointments or money. No complaint has yet been made to the Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office.[8]
Key deadlines
The following dates are key deadlines for the Virginia Beach City Public Schools election in 2014:[4]
| Deadline | Event |
|---|---|
| August 15, 2014 | Filing deadline for candidates |
| October 14, 2014 | Voter registration deadline |
| November 4, 2014 | General election |
Additional elections on the ballot
- See also: Virginia elections, 2014
This election shared the ballot with general elections for U.S. House seats and one U.S. Senate seat. It also shared the ballot with other county and municipal elections.[9]
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term "Virginia + Beach + City + Public + Schools + Virginia"
See also
- Virginia
- Virginia Beach City Public Schools, Virginia
- Virginia school board elections, 2014
- List of school board elections in 2014
- School board elections, 2014
- Local ballot measures, Virginia
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 United States Census Bureau, "Virginia Beach, Virginia," accessed August 14, 2014
- ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "ELSI Table Generator," accessed August 14, 2014
- ↑ Virginia State Board of Elections, "Election Results," accessed August 14, 2014
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Virginia Beach City, "Candidates List for General Election," accessed August 14, 2014
- ↑ Virginia Beach Education Association, "Endorsed Candidates," accessed October 21, 2014
- ↑ The Virginian-Pilot, "Our picks for Beach school board," October 22, 2014
- ↑ Virginia State Board of Elections, "Campaign Finance Reports," accessed October 21, 2014
- ↑ WAVY.com, "Candidate claims bribery in Va. Beach school board race," October 23, 2014
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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