Reeder right for Prince William County School Board

Opinion 

Every year at back to school night, teachers like myself are required to show a promotional video which boasts that Prince William County schools are “world class.”

Having taught in the school system for seven years now, I can assure you, we are far from achieving such a lofty title.

For the last several years, the funding level provided by the Board of County Supervisors to the School Board has been inadequate to support the needs of our growing school-aged population. Teachers are underpaid (compared to neighboring counties and municipalities) and we do not have the resources (technology, classroom space, etc.) to provide a “world class” education to our students.

We need more School Board members who understand the needs our teachers and students and are willing to negotiate on an annual basis with the Board of County Supervisors to advocate for increased funding to meet the critical needs of our school division, such as hiring additional teachers and investing in infrastructure (new buildings, upgrading existing facilities).

Our school system has been on life support for many years now and the only way to bring it back to life and make it “world class” is to find someone with the educational background and financial acumen to lead the School Board in the right direction. That is why I am supporting Bill Reeder, who is running for School Board in the Coles Magisterial District.

Here is why I think Bill is the best candidate for the job. Bill is running as an independent. The two parties are so wrapped up in partisan bickering that education issues often get neglected. Bill and I may not agree on every political issue, but we do agree that investing in our education system is a top priority for the county.

Bill has no future political aspirations. His sole interest in joining the Board is to ensure that our county is properly investing in its future — our children. Bill is very knowledgeable about many education issues.

Unfortunately, many candidates running for office are not educated about education issues. Stump speeches on education tend to address “reducing class sizes” or “eliminating toxic SOL testing.” Beyond those two issues, there is very little knowledge or substance.

Bill not only understands the problems we face, but he actually proposes sound and logical solutions to those problems. As a math teacher, I appreciate a candidate who is willing to walk through the steps necessary to solve complicated problems.

Bill is a statesman. He has good relationships with folks on both ends of the political spectrum. He is well-respected in our community. When he talks, people listen.

I am confident that he will bring people together on the School Board and will not fall prey to divisive political antics of Democrats or Republicans on the Board. Bill cares about teachers. When I first met with him, we discussed the current state of our school system and brainstormed ideas about how to tackle some of the problems plaguing our school system.

He has since met with several of my teacher friends and had similar discussions. I appreciate a candidate willing to hear first-hand testimony. Bill has his ear to the ground and he is listening. Bill has fresh ideas and the long-term vision to make our education system truly “world class.”

I strongly encourage my friends who live in the Coles District to vote for Bill Reeder on November 3. Our students need him. Our teachers need him. And our county needs him.