Satterwhite: ‘A School Board that is constantly distracted by politics is not able to focus’

Alyson Satterwhite believes, “A School Board that is constantly distracted by politics is not able to focus.” A long-time school board member in Prince William County, she was the first to file candidacy for Chairman of the Prince Willam County School Board for the upcoming November 2018 Special Election. Satterwhite is duking it out with Interim School Board Chairman Dr. Babur Lateef and retired Woodbridge resident Stanley Bender, who are also on the ballot.

Below, find Satterwhite’s responses to our Project: Election questionnaire.

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PL: What are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent?

Satterwhite: Students, Wages, Safety & Mental Health

PL: What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?

Satterwhite: We must focus on putting our students first, competitive wages for our teachers and bus drivers, and reducing classroom sizes while also continuing to improve school safety and mental health.

We have to focus on our students. Parents are concerned about the education that their children are receiving. A School Board that is constantly distracted by politics is not able to focus on the work that our citizens elect us to carry out. The School Board must put students first.

Competitive wages for teachers and bus drivers must be a priority and we have to work to retain our employees. We are losing teachers to neighboring counties that offer higher wages, counties that are able to do so because their commercial and business tax base is much larger than that of Prince William County. More business growth in Prince William County will provide a better balance of the residential and business tax base, allowing us to spend more money on education. I voted for pay raises for our teachers and staff members in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. I want our teachers and staff members to feel valued and respected.

Reducing class sizes helps our students academically, reduces the workload on our teachers, and on average leads to fewer behavior and discipline problems. Last year the Superintendent gave the School Board a five year supplemental plan in the FY18 budget that would move students out of trailers and reduce class sizes. Once the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) numbers are updated, we need to revisit this plan. Working together with the Board of County Supervisors and our tax payers, we can make this a reality for our students. Reducing class sizes gives our teachers the opportunity that they need to check in with our students daily to assess academic growth as well as social and emotional well being.

Our teachers focus daily on best practices for their students in the classroom. The focus should be on their students, they should not be be armed. I am in complete support of armed school security officers who are trained in best practices in school safety. Safe schools involves the physical security of our schools and also includes student mental health. I have been a strong advocate for student mental health and suicide awareness. Last year I proposed adding additional school nurses to the budget. This year I made the proposal to hire 13 additional social workers, including a human trafficking specialist. For several years I have advocated with members of the General Assembly and will continue to advocate to change our state Standards of Quality to reduce the student to counselor, nurse, social worker, and school psychologist ratios.    

PL: From your perspective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking?

Satterwhite: The School Board Chairman presides over School Board meetings, helps set the agenda of the meetings, and carries out such other duties as the Prince William County School Board may assign. As a member of the Prince William County School Board, you are an advocate and voice for your district, and in the case of the Chairman At Large, for all of Prince William County.

Attending School Board meetings, disciplinary hearings, professional development, responding to inquiries from constituents, attendance at school events, Back to School Nights, graduations, ribbon cuttings and school openings, and other special events are all part of the normal schedule. In addition preparation for one School Board meeting can take anywhere from 5 – 20 hours depending on the subjects being addressed.

The job is officially considered part time, but it often requires much more time and effort. This is why it is so important to have a School Board Chairman who has the time, energy, and experience to devote to the job.

PL: What expertise will you bring to the office?

Satterwhite: I bring seven years of experience and professionalism as a School Board member to the office. Through my availability and engagement with my community, I have a strong understanding of what constituents are concerned about and want to see addressed. As the mother of four children who are all graduates of PWCS, along with my bachelors degree in education, I bring practical experience and understanding of how children learn. Last year when my youngest child graduated, as a parent I completed 24 years of IEP meetings, 15 years in Prince William County Schools, and experience in three additional school systems during my husband’s active military service. I advocate for all of our students with the same passion with which I advocated for my own children.

PL: Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of local government? If not, how do you intend on improving communication with your constituency?

Satterwhite: A large part of the job of Chairman, or a School Board Member, is helping constituents learn how to navigate through our school division in order to get the information they need. Being available in the community, listening to the concerns of parents, and meeting with stakeholders is key in outreach. Keeping open communication with constituents is essential because decisions made on the School Board impact the lives of our students and families on a personal level. 

PL: Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they affected you?

Satterwhite: In my seven years of public service I have learned a tremendous amount. There is always more to learn, and in education, we are developing lifelong learners! You have to reflect and think about how you can do things better, how you can improve in your job. I have friends and constituents who hold me accountable, who give me feedback, give me their input on how they might have done something differently. I listen and learn from them. As a School Board Member, as Chairman, you are accountable to the people who elect you.

PL: Our readers want leaders in local government. Why should they vote for you?

Satterwhite: Our School Board needs a dedicated leader with experience.

As a servant leader I realize that my job is not to make decisions for you, but to work with you to help find solutions for the problems that you might face.

As a fiscal conservative with experience with seven school budgets, I continue to work hard to see that your hard earned taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly.

I will boldly stand for what is just and ethical, as I did when I led the successful censure against our former chairman after confidential documents were publicly released.

I will advocate for our students, as I did when I called a special meeting to accept over $20 million dollars for school construction.

Vote for Alyson Satterwhite, a dedicated and experienced leader who puts our students first.