Chairman of Prince William school board one of most important positions

Opinion

One of the most important positions that County voters will decide on November 3rd is Chairman of the County School Board. Our school system is the largest entity in the County, educating some 87,000 students and employing 10,800 teachers, bus drivers and support staff.

The School Board became an elected body 20 years ago, in the aftermath of an era when Board members were appointed by the respective Magisterial District Supervisors. The change was approved by the Virginia General Assembly in order to distance education from political agendas. As we know, politicians are accountable for the functioning of County government. Education of our children is in the province of parents, families, teachers and elected officials whose principal job is to guide the School Administration. Unfortunately, political parties continue to attempt to dominate the process by endorsing School Board candidates. This tends to make School Board members accountable to politicians and their agendas. And for the past several years, one of the first places they cut is education. How does the Chairman of the School Board support education when beholden, for example, to County political leaders? And worse, what criteria does the political party use when it endorses School Board candidates?

Right now, 45 of our 80 schools are over-capacity. We are among the lowest in teacher salaries and aid to education in the Washington region. How do we explain such numbers to companies seeking to re-locate their operations and employees to Prince William County?

Voters will have a choice of three candidates for School Board Chairman in November. Two are endorsed by the major political parties. Neither, in my opinion, have the breadth of experience needed to represent the educational needs of parents, families and children in this critical position. The third candidate is Independent Bristow resident Tracy Conroy, a parent with goals and experience designed to improve the education of our children.

Ms. Conroy is a registered nurse with a B.S. degree in Health Care Administration. She has held positions, in Hospital Management, Quality Assurance and Program Development. Her husband is a small businessman, and their two children attend County schools. Tracy currently works as an independent health-care contractor. Most important, Tracy has worked as a parent for over ten years, advocating before the School Board on matters of importance to our children. She has served on County Budget Committees for over three years and, in this capacity, has a working familiarity with the annual education budget of over $1.0 billion. Ms. Conroy recognizes that funds are limited. She further understands the expectations of all the stakeholders and will work with parents, fellow School Board members, the Board of County Supervisors, the administration and staff to meet the needs of our students.

Tracy is from the Philadelphia area, and moved to Dale City in 1997. She and her family have lived in Lake Ridge, Winding Creek, Hunter’s Ridge, Victory Lakes, and Braemar. She notes she may be the first candidate who has lived in the Neabsco, Coles, Occoquan, and Brentsville Districts.

Tracy’s principal objectives in seeking this important position are: Accountability, School Equality, Community Involvement, and a Superior Education. I believe that Tracy has the education and background to serve our community as an excellent steward our educational system. It is clear that she will best represent the needs of families and our children, and not serve the political interests of many other elected officials, whose principal interests are not in education.