Six vying for two school board spots

Six applicants are vying for two at-large spots on the Amherst County School Board.

The board could see at least one new face because current at-large chairwoman Margaret Leggett’s term is expiring and she is not to seeking reappointment. At-large school board member Gloria Walker is seeking reappointment for her term, which also expires.

Board members are appointed by the Amherst County Board of Supervisors to serve four-year terms that expire June 30. There is no limit on the number of terms members can serve.

The Board of Supervisors held two public hearings to gather the names of interested applicants. County Administrator Rodney Taylor said supervisors will interview all six candidates June 3 in closed session and likely decide on candidates that day also.

New terms begin in July, which is also when the board reorganizes and selects a new chairman and vice chairman.

Those who have applied are:

Gloria Walker, who currently serves as one of the board’s at-large members. She has served two terms and works as a reset specialist at Advantage Sales Marketing and Acosta Marketing.

She wants to continue to serve because there are things the board has not yet accomplished during her tenure. Walker said she initially sought a spot on the board because as her children went through the school system she had questions and was encouraged to join the board.

“I’m glad the board of supervisors gave it to me. I’ve enjoyed it,” she said.

Now, eight years later, her children are grown. They’ve completed their education, but Walker still wants to serve.

Troy Cash, a real estate broker for Cash Brothers Real Estate, has served on several area boards, including the Amherst County High School career tech advisory board.

“I’ve always been interested in being involved,” Cash said.

He also cited career tech as a top priority for the school division. Cash said the programs prepare graduates for the work force and he’s concerned there might not be space to implement new programs.

Cash, an Amherst native who has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Lynchburg College, also has two children enrolled in Amherst County schools.

Bruce Conner, also a local who graduated from E.C. Glass High School, is interested in serving on the board because he just wants to help.

“I’m not one of those people looking to make a stepping stone to politics,“ he said.

Currently on medical retirement from AREVA, Conner is a former machinist who has attended courses at Central Virginia Community College.

Conner has four sons, three of which attend Amherst County schools.

When asked to identify major issues that could come before the board if appointed, Conner cited drugs at the high school level, citing the recent bust that ended in the arrest of 11 Amherst County High School students.

“Unfortunately we came into the light last week,” he said. “I think that’s something that’s been going on for years.”

Gary Sibcy, a clinical psychologist at Piedmont Psychiatric Center, said he wants to bring his knowledge of evidenced-based teaching to the board. Also a faculty member at Liberty University, Sibcy has lived in the area for about 14 years and has two children currently attending Amherst County schools.

“I’ve always had interest in education,” he said. “I work a lot with kids and families and my background is in teaching education and learning.”

Sibcy has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in counseling from Liberty and a doctorate in clinical psychology from Union Institute and University.

Beverly Jones, a longtime Amherst County School teacher, is currently retired and sits on the Planning Commission but wants to serve on the school board because of her education experience.

“I want to give back. I want to get involved in this aspect of working with the administration,” she said.

Jones retired as a civics and economics teacher at Monelison Middle School. She has a bachelor’s degree in education from Virginia State University and her daughter attended Amherst County Schools.

If appointed, Jones said a top priority would be raising student achievement even higher and retaining quality teachers.

Bill Brown said he has a long history of service to the schools and would like to contribute more by serving on the board.

Brown, a retired doctor who now works as a real estate agent for Blue Ridge Realty, had two children attended Amherst County Schools.  He has a bachelor’s degree from Guilford College and a medical degree from East Carolina University.

He said making sure students develop critical thinking skills could be a major issue facing the school system.

Brown is also a founding member of the Amherst County Public School Education Foundation.

“I really love Amherst County and I love the kids. I want to see the school system improve for their benefit,” he said.