Norfolk School's Chief Q&A and other news and views

Learn about your school system.

Attend a question and answer session with Norfolk School Superintendent Samuel T. King, a native of Smithville, Georgia, Monday September 23 from 7:00 to 8:00pm at Norfolk Vocational School, 1330 N. Military Highway. The event is free and open to the public. 

King, a 28-year veteran of America’s public education system will answer questions about the school system’s initiatives, such as the Transformation Initiative, accreditation and new school construction, among other issues.

The event is sponsored by Norfolk GAINS (Growing And Investing In Norfolk’s Schools), a community-based advocacy group. 

Questions can be submitted prior to the event at Norfolk at GAINS’ Facebook page.  

Norfolk’s “Come Home” again campaign revived 

The “Come Home to Norfolk” campaign, shelved for a few years for obscure reasons,  has been resurrected. Remember the original motive? To convince outsiders, young professionals and others to settle in Norfolk. Pages of the city’s web site trumpeted the “Come Home to Norfolk” theme. Then it disappeared. But it’s back, and residents have a chance to air the exceptionality of Norfolk. Just visit the “Come Home to Norfolk” blog and air your views.

Virginia’s broken mental health system 

Mental illness touches everyone. It may touch your brother or sister, or your aging father or mother. It may be your child. Everyone is aware that mental illness – depression, despair and eventually suicide – is a pervasive and threatening symptom of our society; some psychiatrists would deem it a symptom of modern society. Nonetheless, the threat is real, and families and friends have been devastated by the consequences – a loss of a son or daughter, a loved one; and the loss is even more devastating when the system breaks down, when it fails to respond. 

For a real look at such a case, read Tucker Corprew’s column in the September 21, 2013, issue of the Virginian-Pilot. Her son, wracked with depression and other maladies,  committed suicide two years ago.
Poll shows close race for VA governor 
But you still have Robert Sarvis, the Libertarian candidate, trailing with 7 percent of the vote so far.Virginia Voters Dislike Mcauliffe Less Than Cuccinelli, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Libertarian Could Be Key In Tight Race, said A Quinnipiac statement last Wednesday.

With 7 percent of likely voters, Robert Sarvis, the Libertarian candidate in the too-close-to call Virginia governor's race, could hold the key to victory for Democrat Terry McAuliffe, who has 44 percent of likely voters, or Republican State Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who has 41 percent, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today, Quinnipiac said.

For more on Robert Sarvis, read Jim Roberts’ interview with the Libertarian candidate.