Virginia Beach school board member Sandra Smith-Jones is taking a position in Saudi Arabia. As the result, she announced a few weeks ago that she would be stepping down from the school board. The elected board would have 45 days from her resignation to name a replacement.
She has apparently changed her mind.
In an article posted on PilotOnline Wednesday, it was reported that Smith-Jones, who has served on the board since 2000, has decided to withdraw her resignation. She plans to stay on the board and return every few months to attend meetings.
From the article:
Smith-Jones is paid $12,000 a year plus optional benefits to serve on the board. She sits on five committees that meet at least five times a month. That’s on top of the board’s regular meetings, held twice monthly, and other public appearances.
So my question, dear reader: should she resign?
Is this a trick question?
Posted by MB | Wednesday, August 31, 2011, 6:07 pmNope – quite serious
Posted by Vivian J. Paige | Wednesday, August 31, 2011, 6:18 pmShe absolutely should resign. Or her constituents should demand it of her. How on earth can she be responsive to their needs when she’s not even in the COUNTRY most of the time? Wow. Just wow.
Posted by Jason Kenney (@jasonkenney) | Wednesday, August 31, 2011, 6:08 pmThe article says she says her constituents asked her to stay.
Posted by Vivian J. Paige | Wednesday, August 31, 2011, 6:19 pmResign. It makes no sense to remain.
Posted by William Bailey | Wednesday, August 31, 2011, 6:23 pmIf she is leaving and will be out of country most of the time then she should resign. Regardless of what the article says, not every constituent has asked her to stay or chimed in on the matter – what a ridiculous notion.
Posted by Roxie | Wednesday, August 31, 2011, 6:32 pmWill she be residing in Kempsville? Isn’t that a requirement?
Posted by Shewling | Wednesday, August 31, 2011, 7:36 pmYes, she should resign.
Posted by William D Jackson Sr. | Wednesday, August 31, 2011, 8:06 pmI want you to know that I share your concerns. I spoke to Ms. Smith-Jones yesterday and she assured me that she was staying here in Virginia Beach and would be traveling out of the country for her job from time to time. She led me to believe that she would be able to attend our meetings and serve the Kempsville constituents. This is what I told the Virginian Pilot reporter but they only used part of my quote. If she can’t make the meetings or if she can’t serve Kempsville the way it deserves to be served, then I will join the chorus of citizens who are asking for her resignation. I ask that you afford me the time to get the facts and make the right decision.
Thank you for your concern,
Brent McKenzie
Member – Virginia Beach School Board
Posted by Brent McKenzie | Wednesday, August 31, 2011, 8:34 pmWait – she said she was going to be here most of the time? As opposed to being there most of the time?
Saudi Arabia is a long way away to be making weekly trips.
And thanks, Brent, for your comments.
Posted by Vivian J. Paige | Wednesday, August 31, 2011, 8:38 pmShe should resign. It sounds like she is trying to hold on to what she has here, as well as going to Saudi Arabia; she can’t realistically do both. I am sure she is trying to do what’s right, but she knew when she took the overseas job that something would have to give.
Posted by Mark Brooks | Wednesday, August 31, 2011, 8:38 pmI’ve known Sandra Smith-Jones for nearly 12 years now. She was VB NAACP Chapter President in 1999, I was helping collect petition signatures to put 31st Street on the ballot, and she asked me to get the original Friends of the 31st Street Park group to give a briefing to the Chapter on the issue. I’ve voted for Sandra in each School Board contest.
What she seems to be oblivious to is that, with the letter rescinding her resignation, she destroyed her ability to ever be an effective candidate for office again. This would be used against her anytime she tries to run, and the absolute absurdity of it will stick. On the other hand, she could have taken the Saudi job, resigned, and returned to politics at some later date.
I’ve seen this story on four different sites now and have yet to see one comment backing her on this.
Posted by Henry Ryto | Wednesday, August 31, 2011, 8:56 pmI’ve not seen anyone supporting her, either.
Posted by Vivian J. Paige | Thursday, September 1, 2011, 8:54 amThis morning the Pilotonline poll is running 4:1 against her.
Posted by Henry Ryto | Thursday, September 1, 2011, 9:13 amI want to know who is undecided in this
Posted by Vivian J. Paige | Thursday, September 1, 2011, 9:39 amResign, enjoy your stay overseas, run for the position when you resume living here full time. This is a job for a resident me thinks.
Posted by James "turbo" Cohen | Wednesday, August 31, 2011, 9:15 pmI think Henry makes a good point about her political future.
Posted by Vivian J. Paige | Thursday, September 1, 2011, 8:55 amYes, she should resign. We have seen enough people paid for not showing up to do their job.
Posted by Jane Bethel | Wednesday, August 31, 2011, 9:20 pmShe shoud resign. You’ve got an opportunity to work in Saudi Arabia? Great. But if you choose to take it, you have to give up your school board seat here. Choices have consequences.
Posted by Steve Vaughan | Thursday, September 1, 2011, 11:03 amYes she should resign. She can’t possibly think that because she can’t control who is appointed to replace her that she has the right to stay in that position. School board members have to be available to their constituents and she will not be available if she is out of the country. Withhold any compensation since she will not be available to perform her duties and see if she really wants to help her city by being on the school board. I think Not!!
Posted by Peggy Scott | Thursday, September 1, 2011, 5:48 pm