Four years ago, the Lee County VOP Chapter hosted a non-partisan school board candidates’ forum so local residents could learn more about the people running for election. It worked well, and the Chapter decided to hold another forum on October 21 of this year, co-sponsored by the Lee County Education Association.

About 40 residents came out to listen to candidates’ thoughts on Lee County Schools issues like school funding and the dropout rate. A panel of citizens, parents, teachers and students asked questions and each candidate had the opportunity to answer in a set time period.

The local paper also did a very good job covering the forum. “Press coverage helps a lot,” said Melanie Jorgensen, a VOP member and parent of a high school student. “Though we had a lower turnout than we wanted, it helped educate the public.”

Only three of the 13 candidates running attended the forum. Attendees felt like they got to know the candidates who did show up, and were surprised more candidates did not take the opportunity.

“In most other areas, political candidates would be jumping at the chance for the microphone,” stated Beth Davies, a VOP member and former principal. “The turnout for the candidates was a disgrace, but it speaks volumes about their lack of interaction with the community.”

“Our children and our education system face many challenges, and a strong school board is essential to addressing these challenges and making sure our students and our schools thrive for years to come,” said Debbie Jessee, president of the Lee County Education Association. “These forums give us a chance to open the lines of communication with the candidates and to hold them accountable once they’re in office.”

The Lee County VOP Chapter also had a meeting on December 18 to strategize how the education and the prescription drug addiction campaigns will progress in early 2008. The Chapter is following up from a positive meeting with Delegate Terry Kilgore to set up a regional meeting about drug courts. This is one of many action steps coming up in the early part of the new year for the Lee County VOP Chapter.

For more information about VOP’s organizing in Lee County, contact Brian Johns at (276) 619-1920 or e-mail him at bjohns@virginia-organizing.org.