Augusta County School Board races feature absence of candidates

The November elections for the Augusta County Board of Supervisors feature some hotly contested races, including incumbent North River Supervisor Larry Howdyshell against former Supervisor Charles Curry.

But there is no such excitement for the county school board elections, where seven candidates are vying uncontested for seven seats in November.

The explanations are numerous, ranging from the limited authority school board members have to the nonpartisan nature of school board elections to the lack of any current controversy in the Augusta County Schools.

"The system has a pretty good record in terms of the quality of education and a building program that people can see the effects of," said Larry Wills, a former supervisor and school board member in Augusta County. "There is nothing out there to stir up interest in unseating an incumbent."

Incumbent North River School Board member Nick Collins is seeking a third term.

For Collins, serving on the school board is his way of saying thanks to a school system that he believes does its job.

He said the most exicting aspect of his eight years of service "is watching these kids go through high school, move on and become good citizens."

If there is any benefit to knowing who will serve next on the Augusta County School Board, it is the opportunity to offer training ahead of the January starting date.

Superintendent Gary McQuain said he is already sending e-mails and other school board information to Pastures candidate John Ocheltree Jr. and South River candidate Timothy Quillen in anticipation of their service.

"They will be able to ease into school board service instead of being hit between the eyes," McQuain said of Ocheltree and Quillen.

Across Virginia, interest in school board service varies, according to Gina Patterson, assistant executive director of the Virginia School Boards Association.

Information the VSBA compiles reveals that many Virginia school board members do not currently have children in schools, and many are in it for the long run. Patterson said that among Virginia's 845 current school board members, only 45 percent have children in schools, and their average tenure is seven years.