News
School Board additions possible
By KEN MUNSON
Jun 30, 2008, 09:56

The Hopewell City Council is looking into expanding the city's School Board from five to seven members, scheduling a public hearing for July 8.
At the same meeting on Tuesday where they discussed possibly expanding the board, the City Council also voted to reappoint school board members Ron Caricofe, who has been on the board since 1986, and Juanita Chambers, who has served since 1989.
The two incumbent school board members successfully made the case for reappointment, but council members said the decision was not an easy one. Two other candidates, Robert Thompson and Philip Andrews, also threw their hats in the ring for the school board seats.
"Both candidates were very qualified," said Mayor Steve Taylor. "We were struggling with the decision."
Caricofe and Chambers were praised for their wisdom by the city council, but were sufficiently impressed with the other candidates that they have decided to open the discussion to add more members. According to Taylor, Andrews is a local pastor who is very involved with his church's youth group and Thompson is an educator currently working in Henrico and is a former employee of Hopewell public schools.
"We talked about expanding for years," said Vice Mayor Brenda Pelham. "Hopefully we can integrate wisdom with youth."
If approved, the changes would likely take effect next year. Because it is a change to the city rules, five out of seven council members would have to approve it. The council voted unanimously to hold the public hearing.
"I'm not sure I support it, but I am interested," said Councilman Ken Emerson.
Mayor Steven Taylor remarked that two open school board seats without incumbents would be sure to attract a large number of candidates. Thompson and Andrews, said the mayor, would have to re-apply for the position and would not automatically have a place on the board.

© Hopewell News 2007