The Shadow
COVINGTON Va. (VR) – Local candidates for the Alleghany Highlands School Board election coming up on Nov. 5, gathered for a debate at Mountain View Elementary’s Gleason Forum Hall on Monday, Sept. 9 at 6:30 p.m. The Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce sponsored three such forums recently, of which this was the third and final one. David Crosier served as the event’s moderator, which hosted incumbent candidate Jacob Wright and Challenger Bob Umstead both running for the Alleghany seat, and write-in candidate Jay Woodson running to be the representative for Covington.
Each candidate was granted one minute to give an introduction and opening statement. The speakers went in alphabetical order. Bob Umstead started by informing everyone that he’s been an educator for 52 years and few people understand how the education system works, especially special education law, better than he. He believes as a longtime educator he possesses a unique perspective and would be of great service to the children, teachers and parents. He thinks his ability to listen is his greatest asset and knows he could do a lot of good For the Alleghany Highlands school system. He is running because of how deeply he cares about the students of Alleghany County. He is tired of seeing smart kids struggle with things they can do. Umstead believes the standards of learning tests are of little importance and do nothing to help with teaching kids. He wants to take steps to ensure that every child who graduates from Alleghany High School can read at, at least a ninth-grade level.
Jay Woodson used his introduction to describe his background and family. Both he and his wife are Covington Graduates with a son who graduated from Alleghany High School and a daughter currently a ninth-grade student at A.H.S. He has been on the school board on two separate occasions for a total of thirteen years. Woodson’s running because he has a personal stake in the youth of our area and has spent time mentoring and coaching the youth. He wants to see the school system thrive not just survive and he is eager to get to work.
Jacob Wright used his opening statement to share that he is currently on the board and wants the honor to continue. He grew up in the community attending Boiling Springs Elementary, Clifton Middle School, And Alleghany High School. He decided to run for the School Board after returning to this area in 2011 after spending years away due to his career. There were some things going on inside the school system that he did not agree with and decided to run in hopes of making positive changes. He made it onto the school board and has been proudly serving ever since.
At this point in the forum, it was time to begin the question-and-answer portion. Each candidate was given two minutes to respond to each question. The first question asked was, “What qualities does the candidate bring that will help foster unity and collaboration in the newly consolidated school system?”
Umstead was given the opportunity to respond first. He said the qualities he possesses are simple. He coached football, girls’ volleyball and track, all of which take skill. Many of the kids he coached experienced success, in fact, fifty-one of them were named all-state. These athletes’ success is just one example of Umstead’s ability to coach and communicate in ways that ensure information is understood. He helped to develop Special Olympics here in 1983 and believes he excels in organizing, bringing people together, and believing they can do things. He is also not afraid to give constructive criticism when he sees something wrong or notices someone struggling. He believes the school board needs leadership and transparency. He thinks it is quite simple, the school system needs to educate our kids, find the money to do it, and take care of them, showing them the importance of education in their lives.
Woodson answered by saying how blessed he has been to be a part of the teams that he’s been a part of in his adult life, and that it boils down to leadership and communication. He stated that the merger is now thankfully done and now it’s time to figure out how to make it the most efficient to ensure it thrives for generations to come. That it is not about me or you or them. It is about us, everyone jointly. Woodson thinks his ability to listen and communicate clearly coupled with the respect he regularly shows will help to create the right school board that sees it produce the things necessary for it to thrive.
Jacob Wright answered, saying that his ability to work together with others is his strong point that displays his leadership. Since being on the school board, he has served years as both chairman and vice chairman of the Alleghany County School Board and served as Chair for the first two years of the Alleghany Highlands School Board. He’s been chair of the JRTC School Board, but he believes his strongest quality is bringing people together, which was on display during the recent school merger.
The candidates continued answering questions and if you would be interested in seeing the entire debate, just go to the Virginian Review’s Facebook page and find it under videos. Everyone is encouraged to come out and vote on Nov. 5. If you are interested in learning more about the candidates keep reading the Virginian Review as we will be highlighting one or more of them each week.
If you missed the AH Chamber forums, you’ve still got one more chance. The Virginian Review is hosting its election debate on Oct. 3, at 6 p.m., which will be held at the Historic Masonic Theatre and live-streamed on the VR’s Facebook page.
