Warner running for Stafford School Board, focuses on teacher retention

Dr. Elizabeth Warner is running to represent the Griffis-Widewater District on the Stafford County School Board. Her focuses are on teacher recruitment and retention, offering better pay and benefits for area educators.

The position is currently held by Jamie Decatur, who is running for re-election.

Name: Elizabeth Warner

Party: Independent

Town: Stafford

Running for: Stafford County School Board – Griffis-Widewater District

Website: elizabethwarner4staffordschools.com, Facebook

Work: Retired Research Scientist

Education: PhD in Biology from University of North Carolina Charlotte

Community Involvement: Warner has worked on environmental issues related to the Potomac River. She also mentors and advises students seeking to go to medical school.

Questions and Answers

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

Warner: Recruitment and retention of qualified teachers. We are spending money to recruit teachers, only to lose them to surrounding communities.

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

Warner: We have to offer competitive pay, and benefits. In order to help them do their jobs, we need to make certain we have the support staff available so we are not burdening them with additional duties that distract from their teaching.

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

Warner: I believe the School Board must work hand in hand with the Board of Supervisors, the community and educators to ensure that we are meeting the educational needs of our students. That we are appropriating funds for the capital and operational budgets that meet our current and future needs. That our decisions should be based on evidence not political ideology.

PL: What expertise will you bring to the office?

Warner: As a research scientist, I worked and collaborated with a variety of people to establish and meet research goals within defined budgets and timelines. I have written and been awarded research grants, mentored students and resident physicians, hired and trained technicians and interns. Science is not just an academic endeavor, but a business.

PL: Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of local government?

Warner: I think most people trust their elected officials to make decisions based on the interests of the people they represent. I do not think most people understand the complexities and constraints that officials deal with. As an elected official it is your duty to make decisions no matter how controversial they may be, but if you do that based on facts, evidence and data, you should be able to explain it. I would like to have town hall sessions with my constituents at least quarterly in order to discuss their concerns and explain what issues are being addressed on the School Board.

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

Warner: I cannot think of an egregious mistakes, but we all make them. I think the key to that is what have I learned and how have I adjusted my life in response. I have never run for office before, so there are no public mistakes.

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

Warner: Education has been one of my core values. I am a lifelong learner, student, teacher, mentor and parent. I feel strongly that the key to our future is in educating our students and preparing them for life after graduation. I will work hard to do what I believe is right for our children, our schools, and our community. I think we need leaders who act on behalf of their community, not a political ideology.