Early Wednesday morning Prince William County School Board Chairman Ryan Sawyers resigned from his post, a week after he dropped out of the congressional race for the 1st district of Virginia.
What is going on? Sawyers stated he was resigning for personal and professional reasons. He posted the following letter to Vice Chairman Lillie Jessie on his Facebook page:
Sawyers has a reputation for engaging in personal warfare with those he dislikes. He is also known for suing people at the drop of a hat. His tenure as school board chairman has been contentious and riddled with dissension. I can’t imagine that many people are sorry to see him go. Perhaps Prince William County can get back to the business of educating students rather than engaging in one man’s personal battles.
Classic case of “majoring on the minors” … nothing substantive on here about addressing over-crowding, declining outcomes, and brain-drain. The personal vitriol and generally classless behavior didn’t help. I’m not sure the man he beat thanks to a split Republican party would have been any better. I’m also not sure his temporary replacement will be any less-bad. Race is an important issue, but the race card is not a substitute for having real, actionable ideas beyond “we’re gonna get ours.”
Our schools really are a major Achilles heel for the county. Madmen and mediocrity don’t make for great business and resident recruiting.
I don’t disagree at all. I have attempted to stay away from the school system as much as possible. It just isn’t the same school system I worked in for decades. Plus there is a battle brewing at Battlefield over the walk out on the 14th as well as a battle at Ronald Reagan Middle. oe
I know of several very excellent people to take over until the general election. Will one of those people be selected by the school board? I think it will be the same old partisan mess, quite frankly. I love it! Madmen and Mediocrity!!!
Maybe you should write the next article!!!
I understand Mr. Sawyers took a few cheap shots as he went out the door.
Actually, “not having time” just seems like he defrauded the voters. He knew when he ran for office what the job entailed.
I voted for him. That sure makes me question my own judgement. I haven’t done real well in local elections lately.
MoonHowler,
The county GOP did a disservice when they “nominated” Singstock. Unimpressive, and as it turned out, tainted. And initial reaction to Singstock from some very smart individuals was bad, immediatley.
I do think Sawyers is a pretty calculating fellow. If bailing early and pretty much making his name “mud” in the county is his best option, I don’t think personal and business reasons tell the whole story by a wide margin.
Truth be told, the bigger issue is executive management, not the board. The board is mostly a distraction, and needs to handle a few issues well (like new schools). They can help by not being a drag. Clearly Sawyers failed there. Executive management who actually runs the system needs a huge dose of sunshine and disinfectant. If we had some real media or lived closer to DC where serious media dig into stories, there would be hell to pay.
NorthofNokesville,
Hmmmm…care to share your suspicions?
TWENTY candidates for Interim Chair!!!
That is a lot of people. I would love to see Don Richardson back on the board.
The candidates seem very impressive.