Loudoun County school board confronts election day consequences.
Changing of the Guard: Loudoun County School Board Elections
Prepare for a political shakeup in Loudoun County, Virginia, as voters gear up to elect a new school board after four years. This affluent exurban county, once the epicenter of the parental rights movement, is still reeling from the events of 2021 that thrust it into the national spotlight.
In a stunning upset, political newcomer Gov. Glenn Youngkin capitalized on voter anxiety about the state of education and emerged victorious over Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe. The catalyst for this wave of concern was the arrest of parent Scott Smith, whose daughter was raped in a high school bathroom. The incident occurred amidst a heated debate over policy 8040, which aimed to allow students to use bathrooms based on their gender identity.
“The people that are not running, they realize that they’ve completely failed Loudoun County and the best chance for the continuation of their policies is to get people that really aren’t tainted by the decision-making of the 2019 class,” said Ian Prior, executive director of the Loudoun-based political action committee Fight for Schools.
The aftermath of Smith’s arrest saw a commitment from Gov. Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares to investigate the school board’s actions. A special grand jury, led by Miyares, indicted then-Superintendent Scott Ziegler and issued a scathing report criticizing the board’s handling of the situation.
As the election approaches, it is clear that the next school board will look vastly different from its current composition. Out of the nine current members, only two are seeking reelection. This lack of incumbents reflects a recognition that fresh faces are needed to address the failures of the past.
Key Races to Watch
The school board is comprised of eight district seats and one at-large seat. While all races are nonpartisan, both the local Republican and Democratic parties have endorsed candidates in each contest.
At-Large Seat
The race for the at-large seat features Anne Donohue, backed by the local Democratic Party, and Michael Rivera, supported by the Republican Party. Rivera previously ran for a different seat last year.
Algonkian District
Atoosa Reaser, the current representative for the Algonkian district, is running for a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates. The race to replace her includes April Moore Chandler, endorsed by the Democratic Party, and Viktoria Hunyadi, endorsed by the Republican Party.
Ashburn District
Harris Mahedavi, the only incumbent seeking reelection, is running in the Ashburn district. Deana Griffiths, supported by the local Republican Party, presents herself as a change candidate, criticizing the board’s current policies.
Broad Run District
Tiffany Polifko, the current occupant of the Broad Run seat, is not running for reelection. The race for a full term features Chris Hodges, endorsed by Republicans, and Linda Deans, endorsed by Democrats.
Catoctin District
John Beatty, the current representative for the Catoctin district, has chosen not to seek another term. Karen LaBell, endorsed by Republicans, and Megan Lockwood, endorsed by Democrats, are vying to replace him.
Dulles District
Melinda Mansfield, endorsed by Democrats, is the sole candidate for the Dulles district seat. Incumbent Jeff Morse declined to seek reelection.
Leesburg District
Erika Ogedegbe, who won a special election last year, is now up for a full term in the Leesburg district. She faces a rematch with independent candidate Lauren Shernoff, as well as Michael Rivera, who finished second in the previous race.
Little River District
The newly created Little River district will hold its first school board race. Sumera Rashid, supported by Democrats, will compete against Joe Smith, endorsed by Republicans.
Sterling District
Brenda Sheridan, the former chairwoman of the school board, has opted not to seek another term. The race to succeed her includes Arben Istrefi, endorsed by Democrats, Amy Riccardi, endorsed by Republicans, and Sarath Kolla.
As Loudoun County prepares for this pivotal election, the outcome will shape the future of education in the area. Stay tuned for the results!
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What are the key differences between the candidates in the Blue Ridge District race?
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Ashburn District
In the Ashburn district, incumbent Beth Barts and challenger Michael J. Gentry are vying for the seat. Barts has served on the school board since 2017 and is seeking reelection, while Gentry is seeking to bring fresh perspectives to the board.
Blue Ridge District
The Blue Ridge district race features Raminder Singh and Tom Marshall. Singh is a small business owner and community advocate, while Marshall is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and former educator.
Broad Run District
Denise Corbo, a businesswoman and parent, is challenging incumbent Andrew Goddard for the Broad Run district seat. Goddard, who has served on the board since 2017, is seeking reelection to continue his efforts in improving education in the county.
Catoctin District
Dan Duff and Ian Serotkin are the candidates in the Catoctin district race. Duff is an IT professional and parent advocate, while Serotkin is a technology sales executive.
Dulles District
Harris Mahedavi and OK Kelleher are competing for the Dulles district seat. Mahedavi, a former teacher, is focused on student mental health and well-being, while Kelleher, a businesswoman and parent, intends to prioritize fiscal responsibility and transparency.
Leesburg District
The Leesburg district race features Kwiesi Amuti, an educator and grassroots activist, and John Beatty, an IT executive. Both candidates bring unique perspectives to the table and aim to address the pressing issues facing Loudoun County schools.
Sterling District
In the Sterling district, incumbent Atoosa Reaser is not seeking reelection, creating an open seat. Mavis Taintor, a senior executive, and Omer Reshid, an engineer and parent, are competing for the position.
These key races will determine the composition and direction of the Loudoun County School Board for the next term. With the recent controversies and public outcry, it is evident that voters are eager for change and improvements in their school system.
As parents, community members, and voters rally to make their voices heard, the Loudoun County School Board elections have become a battleground for competing visions of education and accountability. The candidates have outlined their priorities and plans, promising to restore trust, prioritize student safety, improve academic performance, and foster an inclusive and respectful environment for all students.
With the eyes of the nation on Loudoun County, the election results will have broader implications for education policy and the ongoing debates surrounding critical race theory, transgender rights, and parental involvement in schools. It is a pivotal moment for the future of education in this affluent county.
Regardless of the outcome, one thing is certain – a changing of the guard is imminent. The election will bring new faces, fresh ideas, and a renewed focus on addressing the challenges and moving the Loudoun County School Board forward. The residents await the results, hoping for a brighter future for their children and their community.
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