George focusing on retaining teachers, hearing residents with and without children in public schools

Opinion 

Less than a month to go and what should a candidate be most concerned about? Getting out to meet as much of the public as possible? Leaving literature when you go door-to-door and no one is home? Where to place my campaign signs so they are not removed or damaged? Many of these concerns headline my campaign, but the Number 1 concern is – How can I ensure that the voters know who I am and what I am all about.

My name is Joseph George, a resident within the Neabsco District, and I wanted to introduce myself to the public. I am a husband of almost 15 years and a father of three wonderful daughters that are currently in their last year of their particular schools (Woodbridge Senior High School, Woodbridge Middle School, and Minnieville Elementary).

I have previously been either a PTO/PTA President or Vice President at Woodbridge Middle School or Minnieville Elementary, as well as either the Chairman or Vice Chairman for Minnieville Elementary’s Principal Advisory Council. In the 2010-2011 school year, I was on all three boards, as the PTA Vice President at Woodbridge Middle School, PTA President at Minnieville Elementary, and Chairman for Minnieville’s Advisory Council (a position I currently still hold).

Additionally, I have been active as a coach for the local softball leagues that my daughters have played in (Prince William Lassie League from 2008-2012 and Prince William Girls Fast Pitch Softball from 2013 to this Fall Season). All the while, I have worked within the Intelligence Community for the Department of Defense (21 years of experience), currently holding the position of Supervisory Criminal Investigative Analyst for the Pentagon Force Protection Agency.

I do not consider myself a politician or know the “dos and don’ts” of being one. I am a dedicated father that sees an opportunity to take what I have learned at my local schools and athletic fields, and expand them throughout the Neabsco District.

Bill Hosp, the President for the Prince William Federation of Teachers, indicated that the group endorsed my campaign because of “his enthusiasm for the job and because of his past involvement in parent groups at his children’s schools” which many of the teachers and staff I have come across would agree with.

My top priorities as a School Board Representative are: 1) Ensure that we are providing the best education for all of our students, 2) Attempt to keep the most capable teachers within our School District, 3) Ensure that our District members, both parents and tax payers without children in the School District anymore, have a voice on decisions made that impact spending, and 4) Get our communities and businesses involved with their local schools

Every decision will be made with the benefit of the students in mind and I am the type that can work with just about anybody, regardless of political viewpoints. I appreciate Mr. Brower and the PWC NAACP for hosting all of those debates last month, but I felt the panel-style format did not help showcase my viewpoints over my opponent, especially since there was no time for rebuttals, as debates typically have.

What I hope will happen is that a local community group (Dale City Civics Association, Neabsco District Democratic Committee, etc) or news outlet (Potomac Local, InsideNoVA, etc.) would be willing to host a debate for my opponent and myself, so that we can both respond to questions that are of a concern for Neabsco District citizens. Since I feel that I am the best candidate for the students, teachers, administrators, and citizens of the Neabsco District, I am open to a debate, so that there will be little to no doubt with the rest of the voters. Less than a month to go.

Joseph George is running for the Neabsco District seat on the Prince William County School Board.