Victoria Manning, running for Virginia Beach School Board At-Large
Victoria Manning, Virginia Beach School Board At-Large
1. Why are you running for office?
I believe our schools are heading in the wrong direction in the areas of policy and spending. New grading policies were being piloted in our schools without parental notification or school board approval. These policies eliminate the ability of a teacher to deduct points for work turned in late and remove the ability for teachers to give a zero for work not turned in. Teachers also must allow test retakes. These new policies approved by the current school board (9-2) do not prepare our students for college or the real world. Additionally, in the last 2 years over 300 downtown administrators received an average of a 12% pay increase (over $2 million), yet our teachers received basically nothing with the offset of healthcare costs and there is a shortage of bus drivers because they aren’t being paid a competitive wage. I believe that “if you are going to complain about it, you should do something about it”, so that is why I decided to run for office.
2. Why should people vote for you?
I will listen to the views of parents and teachers before voting on issues. I will be fiscally responsible and carefully examine the budget and hold administrators accountable for their spending. I have been a proven leader in our community in the fight against the lowering of standards in our schools and I will continue to be sure the voices of parents and teachers are heard. We must remember to put students first when making decisions as school board members.
3. What’s your favorite thing about the area you want to represent?
I am at at-large candidate so I will represent the entire city of Virginia Beach. I love the friendly people of our city, our beaches and parks.
4. What is the biggest problem your area is facing, how will you fix it?
Getting rid of the lowering of standards and our spending problems. I will vote to repeal and replace the grading policies just adopted by our current board. I will carefully examine the budget and hold administrators accountable for their spending.
5. Describe Donald Trump in max 3 words?
Better than Hillary
6. Describe Hillary Clinton in max 3 words?
A Criminal
7. What do you do for a living? Why do you do it?
I recently stepped down from my job as the Administrator of Redeemer Pres church in order to focus on my passion of helping our schools and becoming a member of the School Board. I am a prior business owner and specialized in endurance running coaching and was also a licensed Casualty Insurance Adjuster. As a Navy spouse, part of my job is also caring for our sons when my husband is away or working long hours.
8. You’re going to be marooned on a tropical island for a week, you can only bring 1 thing – what is it?
If it’s only one week…. drinking water … I’m practical
9. What do you think of Colin Kaepernick?
He is disrespectful of those who wear and have worn the uniform of our military.
10. Would you vote to fund light rail expansion in your area?
No, but I would be an advocate of a solution that would reduce congestion and that would be affordable. I think we should first improve our bus system and roads.
11. Will you respect the outcome of the election?
If it is a free and fair election, of course!
12. Favorite TV Show?
Jeopardy
