James M. Bane, Ed.D.
FUTURE TERM CHESAPEAKE SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE
Update: Announcement to run for vacancy elections
AUGUST 9TH, 2022
I am excited to be running for a seat on the Chesapeake school board during the 2024 election cycle! I will provide additional information on future campaign events as elections approach for the community to see how our visions align and what we can do to support our youth and community throughout the years to come.
Questions and Answers
READ THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JAMES, HIS VISION AND APPROACH TO VARIOUS TOPICS AFFECTING THE CHESAPEAKE SCHOOL BOARD AND EDUCATION SYSTEM. Q&A TOPICS WILL BE UPDATED PERIODICALLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE ANSWERED, PLEASE SUBMIT THEM USING THE CONTACT FORM AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.
ARE YOU RUNNING WITH ANY ORGANIZED SLATE OF CANDIDATES? HAVE YOU RECEIVED ANY DONATIONS OR ENDORSEMENTS FROM ANY GROUP(S)?
I am not running with any organized slate of candidates at this point in time and I have not received donations or endorsements. While I am not opposed to donations or endorsements, I aim to avoid perceived or actual political bias and do not assert any partisan affiliation.
WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE PRIMARY WORK OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION?
Advocacy. Ensuring all perspectives are included in the overarching decisions of curriculum, budget, scheduling, attendance, staffing, facilities, growth, etc. Nothing the school board does is in a vacuum; voters who elect members to the board rely on those they choose to be transparent and decisive for the larger good of all involved.
WHAT IS A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER’S ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY? HOW DOES THAT ROLE DIFFER FROM THE ROLE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OR ADMINISTRATION?
School board members are the ears for the school system and voices for the people. They are the oversight and collaborative body for all things internal and related to our schools. The board is responsible for providing non-partisan, objective, and well-thought-out decisions affecting the entire community in present and the future. While the superintendent manages an excessive number of responsibilities to ensure daily operations of the many schools across Chesapeake, it is the Board’s responsibility to ensure the correct superintendent is selected for the job and has the tools to succeed. The administration is sub-divided into roles to focus on specific or technical subject matter areas and the board acts as the check and balance to the administration.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO ADDRESS DIFFERENCES OF OPINION ON THE BOARD OR BETWEEN THE BOARD AND THE ADMINISTRATION?
My go-to solution is to present all variables to be analyzed logically as to develop a true solution to a problem and present a motion to vote on matters affecting the grater population. However, it must be considered that everything is not always so scientifically binary. Individual biases, lived experiences, advocacy for groups transcending personal board member opinions, and many other factors will often contribute toward reaching a consensus where differences exist.
Where seemingly immovable opinions exist, it is necessary to discuss factors leading to such opinions to understand their reasoning. Only after all viewpoints are understood, or at least presented, regardless of if agreed upon or not, can a motion be brought before the board for voting. To hastily vote on topics before presenting all opinions and without adequate discussion or comprehension would be an injustice to those affected by the outcome of the board.
Questions in this section were pulled from online resources including Prospective Candidates / Prospective Candidate Questions (wpsba.org).
Upcoming Events
Tue, Nov 08Chesapeake, VANov 08, 2022, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PMChesapeake, VA, Chesapeake, VA 23323
Contact Submission Form
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