Vision

 Continued Support of Transparency for Loudoun’s Citizens

I continue to support increased transparency in our school system. I voted for the School Board to move to BoardDocs in order to allow a direct link to meeting documents. I send out a district newsletter and have recently added a Facebook page for education information. It is important to me that I provide information when it is needed – and that the information provided is accurate. Though many people know me because their children are educated in LCPS, I want to help all residents, thus taxpayers, to become better informed.

 Continued Support of LCPS Staff and Students to Best Preserve/Serve the Educational Needs of Loudoun

LCPS staff was able to receive a 3% COLA this year for the first time in years. Now it is time to reduce class sizes. Students have more technology “equity” throughout the system, but long bus rides continue to impact students and families. There is still more to accomplish in another term. As your school board representative, I have incorporated a blend of staff, student, and taxpayer voices when looking at policies and in my decision making. It is important that we maintain a great school system because it will help to lead Loudoun’s economic growth. I also look forward to good charter school applications that will help LCPS meet its critical shortage of seats: my hope is that these applications will also allow programmatic enhancements as well. I hope to see the implementation of a full-day Kindergarten plan, as well as Monroe’s expansion, during my next term. We must continue to develop 21st century skills in all of our students.

 Continued Fiscal Responsibility

Even though the School Board does not have funding authority, the School Board can act in a fiscally responsible manner. A number of changes have been made through the Jt. School Board and Board of Supervisors committee that were intended to bring savings. A Memorandum of Understanding was developed for schools, and the site acquisition process was changed due to citizen input. Even with significant increases in student enrollment, savings have been achieved. It is through these savings that we were able to most recently upgrade or better schools throughout the county. Because energy preservation continues to be a part of my vision as well, I have been encouraged by the staff’s willingness to further implement strategies that allow cost avoidance throughout the system. Though I understand future cuts may be necessary, it is my hope that the fiscal picture will improve in this next term.

  Continued Community Focus

Throughout my term I have worked with communities to support their schools. Schools that were delayed when I was elected to the board are now open or under construction. The overcrowding in Leesburg's elementary schools will finally be addressed with the opening of Douglass next fall. As I have stated for the last two years, all must be ready for this discussion. A number of concerns were left on the table with the last boundary change before I was on the School Board: I look forward to making decisions for the betterment of all Leesburg elementary school students.

Capital concerns face the northern part of the district, as well as long bus rides. Future schools need to be close to the populations that will attend the schools. This area is unique because there is so much by-right development outside the towns and villages, which is why I have involved the towns and villages in the process as well as soliciting citizen input. I am pleased to have been a part of helping schools with their local concerns as well. Waterford's fifth grades now both have "cottages;" last year the spaces were unequal. Lucketts Elementary's fourth grade now has two teachers.

It is very important that a historical knowledge of our district remain on the school board. Not only have I attended our schools, I have taught in and have volunteered in them. It has been my privilege to represent them... and to have my children attend them. Schools of all sizes and ages are under my watch - I will continue to put our local community (Catoctin) alongside the greater community (Loudoun) in my decision making.