VIRGINIA BEACH — Change came to the Virginia Beach School Board on Tuesday, Nov. 8, with new faces elected to the board and apparent losses by incumbents following a contentious election held under a new local 10-district voting system.
Some votes are still being counted, and it is possible vote totals may change and especially close races could become subject to a recount. But there will be several new members due to the likely outcomes and the new districts — and a closer balance of power of the board is a certainty.
According to unofficial returns, School Board Chairperson Carolyn Rye and School Board Member Sharon Felton both appeared to lose in races with political newcomers, and another member of the existing board majority, Vice Chairperson Kim Melnyk, appears to have won narrowly in a District 2 race among three candidates.
School Board Member Carolyn Weems is also poised to return to the board in the new District 9, where she defeated challenger Erika Guess. Guess, in a social media post, wrote, “I have contacted Carolyn Weems to offer my congratulations.”
Rye on Wednesday, Nov. 9, said she had called challenger David Culpepper, the anticipated winner in the new District 8, that morning.
“I congratulated him and his campaign on a hard-fought victory,” she said during a brief conversation following a School Board meeting.
Culpepper on Friday, Nov. 11, said he is awaiting final numbers, though it looks like the margin is unlikely to be overcome.
“I ran first and foremost on parental rights,” he said, noting any guidelines issued by the board must be consistent with state law. “The schools’ policies need to reflect that, and that’s what I’ll be looking out for, first and foremost.”
He said he already has spoked with board members and city officials.
“I’m looking forward to work with them and, most importantly, doing things that the electorate wants done,” Culpepper said.
Felton said she planned to stay active in the community and remain an advocate for students, including people of color.
“I had a great eight years, and the foundation I got here will catapult me to other community service,” Felton said at the meeting.
That night, Mike Callan, the anticipated victor in the District 6 race, attended the board meeting.
“I’m still in class and will be for some time,” he said.
He said that, like other candidates, he awaited final numbers, but he said the overall results reflected a desire for change.
“I was happy the public was feeling the same sense of urgency that we did,” he said.
The new District 2 includes the main coverage area of The Independent News, and Melnyk on Wednesday, Nov. 9, said she was still awaiting official results in that race.
“One of the things I promised was to strengthen my relationship with City Council,” Melnyk said. “We’re the city’s number one economic driver and we get half of their budget, and the City Council and the School Board need to work together.”
Amy Solares, who placed second in District 2 voting, said it was unfortunate she did not win, but she was happy other candidates endorsed by the political action committee Students First VA won.
She noted she came out ahead of Alexis Gerdes, another Republican candidate running in the race who had a number of endorsements, and Solares came close to Melnyk, whom she congratulated.
“We didn’t win, but I think we did a good job,” Solares said during an interview. “We put up a good fight.”
Gerdes could not be reached for comment, but she released a statement on social media on Wednesday, Nov. 9, saying she planned to stay engaged and was glad voters saw the need for change on the School Board, as seen in other races.
“Congratulations to all who won last night, and thank you again for this amazing experience,” she wrote.
In District 4, Staci Martin, who manages a statewide grant program, defeated Ken Lubeck by a large margin. Both were first-time candidates.
Lubeck posted a statement online on Thursday, Nov. 10, congratulating the “Democrat machine” and said he would keep fighting for students and teachers.
Martin noted that provisional votes were still being counted, but on Thursday, Nov. 10, she said she is looking forward to serving. “I’m determined,” she said. “We’re going to do good. I’ve got a lot to learn.”
Martin said she is already reaching out to School Board members and has sought feedback and information on issues from educators.
“I do feel that the board needs to come up with a better communication plan for sharing information with parents,” she said, noting a campaign issue that remains a priority.
In District 10, Kathleen Brown led Kim Bentley narrowly, according to unofficial returns, but the race was not clearly decided.
Brown on Thursday, Nov. 10, posted a note to social media explaining why she had not declared victory.
“The vote counting process will continue tomorrow and Monday,” she wrote. “It is my sincere belief that when these final votes are tallied we will still be ahead, but, with the information I have, I am being patient and observant during this process.”
In a statement released on social media, Bentley on Thursday, Nov. 10, wrote, “We are still working hard until all of the ballots are counted next week. I am profoundly grateful for everyone’s help and support.”
Though the outcome is not yet certain, it appears four new members will join the board regardless of who wins in the district.
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