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Aquia District School Board race has two candidates with no experience in elected office Date published: 10/28/2009
BY JEFF BRANSCOME The two candidates for the Stafford County School Board's Aquia District seat have plenty of experience--just not in elected office. Stephanie Johnson has taught and volunteered for the Stafford school system, including serving as president of Moncure Elementary's Parent-Teacher Organization. Jon Myers is a military veteran who manages the domestic security budget for the Department of State and sought the Republican nomination for the 28th state Senate district seat in 2007. They are vying in the Nov. 3 election for the School Board seat being vacated by John LeDoux, who is stepping down after one term. Johnson says her priorities include keeping schools open (the School Board has discussed closing some to save money) and retaining and recruiting teachers. Last year, as a member of an attendance-zone committee, she opposed closing Moncure Elementary. "It's not so much about the structure--it's about who's inside of it," she said. Myers said he'd like to "fix" the division's budget, increase teacher pay and improve student performance on standardized tests. He gave examples of what he thinks was unnecessary spending, such as the 2008 opening of Shirley Heim Middle. "That money that was used to build the school, which was not needed, could've been used to pay our teachers," he said. Johnson said her experience teaching and serving on school-system committees will make for a smoother transition to the School Board. "My learning curve has been cut down quite a bit," she said. She has been a long-term substitute at Mountain View High School and Moncure Elementary. Myers said his experience managing an $80 million budget makes him the most-qualified candidate. "I think what they've been lacking for several iterations is somebody with professional financial experience," he said. Johnson served on a task force this year that recommended increasing employee pay over five years to make Stafford more competitive with surrounding localities. "I want them to know this matters," she said. "This is a priority." She said that after years of volunteering she's ready to serve all school employees, parents and students. "I think that I have been doing so much in the community for education that it's time for me to make a real impact countywide," Johnson said. Myers said he thinks improving the school budget and increasing teacher pay will "naturally result" in better student performance. "We don't sit down and write curriculum but using what tools we have, we can effect change," he said. He said he thinks School Board members look out for the interests of their districts, but not the division as a whole. "I think I bring an outside perspective of more of a financial expertise instead of a vested personal interest in the school system," Myers said. Jeff Branscome: 540/374-5402
Read more stories about Stafford Date published: 10/28/2009
Does that mean no one has actually found the work Ms. Johnson has done valuable enough to pay for?
Swapping Anne Moncure for a brand new school is a NO BRAINER. I wouldn't want to put my kids at a school on Garrisonville Rd, one of the most traveled roads in Stafford. AMES sits on potential valuable commercial property. Student safety should be a reason enough to move to a better location. Appears Ms. Johnson would sacrifice the health and well-being of hundreds of elementary students just so her kids could stay at Anne Moncure. Jon Myers business, military and budget background are winning attributes.
Hmmmm..........difficult choice here. Stay-at-home mom who claims to be a "professional volunteer" or a Marine LtCol. who manages the State Dept security budget? Wow, talk about a no-brainer. Myers wins this hands down.
anyone who cries empty seats is uninformed-there are empty classrooms because we don't have the teachers and we do have overcrowded clasrooms
That due to his job-Myers will be an absentee SB member.
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