PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. — Officials on the Prince William County School Board tonight will hear from residents who want to be appointed to the Board.
Six applicants will be considered to fill the vacant Woodbridge District seat on the Board. It’s a position that was vacated the day after the Nov. 6 General Election by Denita S. Ramirez, who took a new job in Richmond.
Board members will hear from applicants who will make their case as to why they should be appointed to the Board. Board members are scheduled to make a decision on who will join the ranks of the eight-member organization after the first of the year. A special election will be held sometime in spring – possibly April – where a permanent member of the Board will be elected.
Republican Chris Royse who unsuccessfully tried to unseat Woodbridge District Supervisor Frank Principi in fall 2011 has emerged as an early favorite for the seat. For the Democrats, former Rippon Middle School teacher Bruce Smith is a well-liked candidate.
Democrats are also crying foul over a plan to hold a special election during springtime when fewer voters turnout.
“If the School Board takes a position to hold an election in April, we’ll see low voter turnout and that tends to favor Republicans,” said Prince William Democratic Committee Chair Harry Wiggins.
A better idea, say Democrats, is to let the appointed person serve until the state and local elections on Nov. 5, 2013, when more voters are expected to turnout to the polls.
