Editor’s note: The original October 2019 version of this article was lost, and no archived copy survives. The Lee Daily Register rebuilt it in October 2026 from the organizer’s announcement and official election results cited below, and added what happened afterward. We could not find a record of what candidates said at the forum, so this version does not describe it.
Lee County voters will get a chance to hear from the people running for the county School Board at a community forum planned for Pennington Gap this month.
Virginia Organizing, a nonpartisan grassroots group, has scheduled the forum on Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Lee Theater, 41676 W. Morgan St. WJHL’s Jackie Defusco is listed as moderator, according to the group’s announcement.
The organizers say all candidates were invited, and that questions will focus on the future of education in Lee County and its children. The group says the forum’s purpose is to let voters hear what candidates see as the challenges and opportunities facing education in the county.
A group with Lee County roots
Virginia Organizing describes itself as a nonpartisan grassroots organization that began in Lee County 24 years ago and now extends across the state. Bill Wireman, a leader in its Lee County chapter, said members started planning the forum over the summer to let residents hear directly from the candidates about their vision for education in Lee County.
Who is on the ballot
All five School Board districts on the Nov. 5 ballot have contested races, according to the Virginia Department of Elections:
- District 1: E. Kyle Chadwell and Michael P. Kidwell
- District 2: Rob B. Hines II and Wandaleen J. Adams
- District 3: D. J. Barker and Nancy M. “Marsee” Garrett
- District 4: Vera V. Ely and Debbie J. Jessee
- District 5: Garry L. Williams and Pamela D. Fannon
What happened next
Virginia Organizing’s announcement said residents might be familiar with an alternate event recently planned for the same night and time by a sitting School Board member. The group did not name the board member. Wireman said the forum had been on the books for over three months. We were unable to find any report on how many candidates attended either event.
On Nov. 5, 2019, voters chose one winner in each district. According to the official results posted by the Virginia Department of Elections:
- District 1: Michael P. Kidwell won with 770 votes (56.1%) to Chadwell’s 600.
- District 2: Rob B. Hines II won with 843 votes (57.7%) to Adams’ 599.
- District 3: Nancy M. “Marsee” Garrett won with 867 votes (69.9%) to Barker’s 359.
- District 4: Vera V. Ely won with 650 votes (57.3%) to Jessee’s 479.
- District 5: Garry L. Williams won the closest race, 488 votes (52.3%) to Fannon’s 438.
Write-in votes accounted for the small remainder in each district. The District 5 margin was 50 votes.
