Meet the candidates in the 2024 Portsmouth City School Board election

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — There are just 32 days until Election Day.

Along with various local contests and the U.S. Presidential Election, voters in Virginia will choose their representatives in Congress (U.S. Senate and House of Representatives) and vote for or against a proposed amendment to the state's constitution. 

RELATED: 2024 Virginia voter guide: Who's on the ballot, voter registration deadlines, and more

In Portsmouth, five seats on the city's school board are up for grabs in the November 5 General Election, and seven candidates are vying for the positions.

Lakeesha "Klu" Atkinson

Lakeesha Atkinson is currently the Vice Chair of the Portsmouth School Board. She's been on the board since 2016. At the time of her election, she was the youngest and first openly-LGBTQ member in the board's history. 

Why are you running for re-election?

I have always had a passion for advocacy surrounding public education and also for the youth. There's some unfinished work that I would love to see happen on the school board. There are some unfinished initiatives that I would love to see through as well.

What things would you like to see if re-elected?

I would love to see for us to open up a new school, a new K through 8 school. I'm going to advocate hard for new construction.

What are some of the biggest issues facing Portsmouth Public Schools? 

Overcrowding in our schools, competitive salaries for all of our staff, growing relationships and expanding courses at the Advanced Career Education Center.

How would you address student mental health? 

We currently have a here-to-help campaign that addresses mental health. But it's not enough. We still have to continue to strengthen our partnerships with the nonprofits, Portsmouth Health Department, as well as some mental health organizations.

Some would argue public schools have become politicized or places for political agendas. Do you believe that and how would you address it? 

We've seen a lot of polarization surrounding school board positions. But the main thing that school board members should focus on is their staff and the students and leave it as that. Create policies to benefit the overall well-being of the school system. Politics should not be involved in education at all. The only politics that should be involved in education is how much funding we should give our school system.

How would you address the new "Cell-Phone Free" policy?

I think the cell phone policy is a great thing. Cell phones have become a huge distraction in our classrooms. So, you know, it brings the teachers back to teaching without distractions. But how can we address the other issues that may arise? For example, if a student's phone is confiscated, who is liable in the event of a theft or a loss? Does that fall in the hands of us? The next thing is, what is the plan in the event of an emergency?

Kendall Bradshaw

Kendall Bradshaw is a former teacher in the division and says her biggest goal is to increase student achievement on all levels.  

Why are you running for School Board?

I felt that the school board needed a representation of someone who'd actually been a teacher in the system, and also who had had their children go through the system as well.

What are some of the biggest issues facing Portsmouth Public Schools? 

Accreditation, student excellence, teacher pay and quality of workplace, safety, and expanding courses at the PACE center.

How would you change the School Board? 

My focus will actually to be in the schools to help support the schools, not just from the boardroom. But as a helper, as a person in the schools there to listen and there to hear their concerns, not just students, but teachers as well and administrators to hear their concerns so that they know that when we do go back into the board room that they have been listened to.

What else do you want the people to know about you? 

I was in education for just over 16 years. I was a fifth-grade teacher at what is now Water View Elementary. I did inclusion for about half of those years. I was also grade chair for 15 of the 16 years as a leader in the building. Leader in Portsmouth Public Schools and again I had my own kids go through Portsmouth Public Schools as well. So I have it from both ends from a parent and then from an educator's end.

Dr. Jackie Walker 

Jackie Walker currently serves as a director of curriculum instruction for over 18 Virginia private schools and says she would look to address compensation immediately. 

Why are you running and what makes you qualified for the position?  

I'm a 22-year educator and 11 of those years were spent in Portsmouth public schools. I was a teacher, I was an I-3 math coach, and also most recently for them was a program specialist for the Office of Reading in English.

What are some of the biggest issues facing Portsmouth Public Schools? 

"Teacher pay and retention. Capital Improvements and academic success of the students  "

 How would you change the School Board? 

"I would look to get involved on day one. Working with schools and addressing their needs...To help with the whole school journey with their students is an initiative that I have called "Parent University." What parent university is? It is a course catalog of various courses, various seminars, various trainings that are dedicated to parents." 

Some would argue public schools have become politicized or places for political agendas. Do you believe that and how would you address it? 

"I do not feel like that on public schools should be used for any type of political gain as a school board member... we should only be looking at what is in front of us, the data, the research, and the facts that we have to ensure that the success of every student is being there because we're building up 21st-century learners." 

How would you address the new "Cell-Phone Free" policy?

"We have to follow it, but then we also have to be sure that when we are making the mandates that we're being realistic, realistic in those decisions." 

Arnette McSwain

After previously running in 2022, Arnette McSwain is running again. She's an Army veteran and retired Chesapeake sheriff's deputy. She supports a variety of options for students after graduation.

Why are you running for School Board?

"I want to foster a culture of continuous improvement for our students and our team. My goal is to ensure our students leave Portsmouth Public School ready to strive  in the 21st century."

 What are some of the biggest issues facing Portsmouth Public Schools? 

" I want to make sure our kids have been prepared or have a variety of options before they leave. Mental health for our students and our educators...more consistent, coherent focus literacy program to help increase reading proficiency at all levels, and to be a present link between the Community and of course the public."

You have a unique background for this position, what would that bring to the board?

"You need diverse people on the board. You know you can have the school teachers up there, but they'll all be looking at it from that point of view. You need people that are coming from different areas. I'm looking at it as a military person, a veteran. I remember how it feels to be stationed somewhere where you have no choice."

How would you change the School Board? 

"I want to be the person that pays more attention to details. A lot of times we get into these positions and we are all about what's up front, what's in your face, showing you that we are working, but sometimes we have to pull out the policies and make sure that the policies are being followed."

If you are elected what are you doing on day 1? 

"The budget. I want to go through every line item of the budget. I want to see how the money was spent. What could have been limited, and what can be allocated? I want to make sure that I go over our testing scores per grade and see how we can discuss what needs to be done. " 

Lateacia Sessoms

Sessoms couldn’t be reached for an interview but told 13News Now via email that her top priorities are addressing staff compensation, along with student and staff mental health.

Ingrid Whitaker 

Ingrid Whitaker is running for re-election, but she did not respond to our emails for an interview.

Irene Boone

Irene Boone is running for re-election, but she did not respond to our emails for an interview.