Opinion, please: should she resign?

Hampton Roads, Local, Politics 1 Minute

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?

Published

20 thoughts on “Opinion, please: should she resign?”

  4. If 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.

  7. I 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

    1. Wait – 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.

  8. She 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.

  9. I’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.

  12. She 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.

  13. Yes 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!!

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