Ann Cherry is a candidate for Hampton School Board. Her name will appear on the ballot on November 5, 2024.
Cherry, who currently sits on Hampton School Board, is running against four challengers for Hampton School Board.
The first day of in-person early voting at your local registrar’s office for this election is Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. Click here to see who is on your ballot.
10 On Your Side reached out to all of the candidates running in this race, with a request for a bio and a list of questions to answer. If you do not see the candidate listed with a profile, we did not receive one.
Name: Ann Stephens Cherry
Age: 77
Facebook: Ann Stephens Cherry
Biography: As a native of Hampton and a graduate of Hampton City Schools, my commitment to the field of Education runs deep. I am a published author of a book about student conflicts entitled “How To Get Along”, which was published by the American Association of School Administrators. In addition, I have been the proud owner of a Day Care Center in Hampton, served as Newspapers In Education Coordinator for the Daily Press, Inc. where I instructed teachers across the Peninsula on how to incorporate newspapers into teaching and learning, and was the national winner of the Tribune Award for personally working with a classroom of students at Huntington Middle School, helping each of them to pass the former State-mandated Passport Literacy Tests. My other positions include being the first female and first African American to serve as Director of Conventions and Tourism for the City of Hampton, as well as holding the position of Director of University Relations at Hampton University. I retired from Hampton City Schools after serving for 17 years as Executive Director of Public Relations and Marketing, and have been a member of the Hampton School Board for the past 8 years (first elected in 2016).
Why are you running for this office?
When I first ran in 2016, our schools were less than 50% accredited. I felt then, as I do now, that our students and our citizens deserved better. Today, our impressive 100% accreditation rating is due to each member of our School Board applying their unique talents and strengths to put policies in place that directly ensure success in the classroom. Our commitment to our teachers, administrators, Superintendent and Division Leadership Team is rooted in the powerful leadership skills that each member of this Board brings. This Board is a team that has proven leadership and success. Therefore, I want to continue to be a part of this strong team because together, we are prepared to reach even greater heights.
What is the top challenge facing Hampton Public Schools, and how would you address it?
Being highly successful academically does not mean we won’t encounter challenges. Quite the contrary. So in order to continue this success we must continue putting highly qualified teachers in front of our students in the classroom. However, this is a huge challenge because all school districts are competing for these teachers as well. It is important to point out that continuing to recruit highly qualified teachers is this Board’s top priority, and we, in conjunction with the HCS administration, will continue to be Creative,(such as strengthening our Benefits Package), Caring, (being a listening ear to all employee concerns) and Committed (being fully invested in employee health/wellness), as we face this challenge head-on.
How do you feel about the politicization of public education?
I am neither surprised nor shocked that public education has become politicized. So many areas within our society have fallen victim to politicization as well, and I expect it will probably continue. However, I believe that everything concerning public education should meet the test of whether or not it is best for children. Public education is a cornerstone of our democracy, and as a Hampton School Board member I will continue to honor its basic premise, which I believe can be summed up best in our HCS motto…”Every Child, Every Day, Whatever It Takes.”
How will you still value constituents with whom you disagree with?
I personally believe that having a difference of opinions is a strength and not a weakness. Varying views lead to discussions. Discussions lead to reflections. And all lead to that important bottom line called Communication. I’d much rather have someone honestly express to me their disagreement on an issue as opposed to engaging in misinformation or deceit. THAT, I can respect…even if we respectfully disagree.
What is your view on the Governor’s Executive Order to ban cell phone use?
VDOE released draft guidance about this on August 15. Everyone (parents, administrators, etc.) will have until September 15 to submit feedback. Final guidance from VDOE on this is expected September 16, with which school divisions will be required to be in full compliance by January 1, 2025. The Hampton School Division will be prepared to revise our current guidelines if necessary, and communicate to all any changes or adjustments needed in order to be in compliance by that January 1 deadline.
