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Referencing education, Fredericks asked Coleman to address the problems at schools that are "underperforming, going to lose their accreditation. But some parents have no way out. What do you say? How do you solve it?"."
He went on to stress the need for local accountability, according to an audio recording obtained by The Virginian-Pilot: "My business experience tells me that people need to be accountable. And that's not unlike these school districts. What's troubling Norfolk is not the same fix that's going to help the Northampton schools, and Accomack, and over in Mathews. Although their school systems are better, they still face problems."
Coleman sought to clarify his comments Wednesday, saying a lack of precision in his phrasing has presented "an opportunity to misconstrue and mischaracterize their meaning."
"For that, I take full responsibility and apologize," Coleman said in a three-paragraph statement released by his campaign. "My point was - and remains - that schools that are closest to the families they serve are schools that have the greatest level of accountability."
Norfolk has some of the worst-performing schools in Virginia with 30 of 45 falling short of full accreditation this year.
Three of them - Lafayette-Winona Middle School, Ruffner Academy Middle School and Lindenwood Elementary - face takeover under a new law allowing a statewide school district to assume control of habitually troubled schools denied certification. That's half of the six state schools eligible for intervention under the Opportunity Educational Institution policy championed by Gov. Bob McDonnell.
Despite his backing, the legislation just squeaked out of the General Assembly this year and now faces litigation seeking to thwart it, brought by Norfolk's School Board and the Virginia School Boards Association..
More recently, Norfolk has undertaken a facilities study and brought on a consultant to evaluate its schools and their gerrymandered feeder boundaries.
Another challenge is reducing the number of high-poverty schools. Across the division, about 66 percent of students meet eligibility criteria for free or reduced lunch, according to 2012-13 data from the Virginia Department of Education. Students at that threshold swelled over 90 percent in two schools, Campostella Elementary and PB Young Elementary..
"It's not a comforting thing to hear from someone who is looking to represent the commonwealth and a district that is so diverse," Jordan said. "Embracing diversity is good for children, for schools, and for the economy."
Coleman and Lewis won their nominations in three-way party primaries last month and are running to fill the unexpired four-year term of outgoing Sen. Ralph Northam, D-Norfolk, who was elected lieutenant governor.
The special election is scheduled for Jan. 7, one day before the General Assembly returns to Richmond for its annual legislative session.
Pilot writer Sarah Hutchins contributed to this article.
Julian Walker, 804-697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com
Corinne Reilly, 757-446-2277,.