Endorses Steve Dean for School Board
Editor:
It is both a pleasure and great honor to fully support write-in candidate Steve Dean for election to the Amsterdam seat on the Botetourt County School Board. As the landscape of our school divisions (both locally and nationally) are drastically changing and under scrutiny by state and federal politicians, as well as the media, the constituents of this county desperately need a voice that will be heard! Make no mistake about it, Steve Dean will listen to you, and he will be heard.
As a public school educator of 15 years and a father of two young children, I have intentionally increased my knowledge and presence in the situation in our division. I have listened to every public speaker at our School Board meetings since the beginning of the year and Steve has been stalwart in his position and advocacy of understanding our spending habits, listening to what parents want from their education system, and support of teachers and administrators in their objectives to teach truth to all.
Just this past week, Steve took time out of his campaign to come back to my house and spend an hour and a half with me sharing his position and listening to what I knew and understood about the current situation facing educators in Southwest Virginia. This is humble, genuine, and like-minded soul that cares about our students and deeply, deeply cares about the education they receive. He is not satisfied with status quo or willing to settle for the “this is the way it’s always been” mentality. He is a believer in accountability and understands that if elected, he is at the behest of we, the people. Botetourt County parents are speaking out at a critical time in our nation’s history. Change is on the horizon – for better or worse. The question is, are we willing to sit back and continue with “the way things have always been” and our voices NOT be represented and taken to where it matters (i.e., the Virginia Department of Education) or will we elect a voice that WILL be heard?
Steve Dean is a quality individual whose heart is in the right place. He truly doesn’t need this position, he wants it because the future of our local district depends on it. Perhaps right here, right now, he is put in this position for such a time as this. Please write-in Steve Dean for School Board in the Amsterdam District on November 2.
Brandon M. Taylor
Troutville
Endorses Wilson for School Board seat
Editor:
I want to thank Ed McCoy for his accurate words in his October 13 letter to the editor. He attended School Board meetings during his career that spanned many decades and therefore provided a wise, factual, and realistic depiction of what a School Board candidate should know before stepping into these shoes.
There have been several topics that have sparked community interest in our School Board meetings the past few months. The topics are important, and Mr. McCoy did an excellent job of explaining what is and what is not within the scope of local School Board authority. The Code of Virginia §22.1-79 explains the powers and duties of School Board members, to which we took an oath of office in the Botetourt County Circuit Courthouse. The first power and duty listed is to “See that the school laws are properly explained, enforced, and observed.” I never thought I would have to defend upholding the laws of the Commonwealth during my term. Placing my hand on the Bible and vowing to uphold the law is something that is sacred to me. All elected officials must honor his or her oath.
When a law is questioned or argued, there is a process by which to change the law, either legislatively or judicially. This is not a new concept but one that has somehow become forgotten during the health pandemic. I have spent hours writing elected officials in Richmond and sharing concerns from local citizens about laws and mandates they have questioned. While the citizens have shown frustration that our School Board cannot change or ignore the law, legislative advocacy is the correct process at the local level. I have spoken about my legislative efforts at the past few meetings, but unfortunately most vocal citizens have already left the meeting before hearing how I have advocated their concerns.
I want Buchanan’s next School Board representative to have the aptitude and knowledge to both honor the oath of office and to express the concerns of citizens in the correct manner. Therefore, it is incumbent on my heart that the Buchanan District, my beloved hometown, is well represented for the next four years. Without hesitation, I fully support Jenny Wilson’s candidacy for School Board. Jenny holds a master’s degree in physical therapy, opposes critical race theory in K-12 public education, understands fiscal stewardship, will uphold the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and will advocate for legislative action when needed.
Jenny Wilson put in the work months ago to have her name appear on the ballot because she has desired to serve on the School Board for many years. She has children in the school division, which is always helpful in keeping a finger on the pulse of education. Jenny is entrenched in our community and spends numerous hours volunteering and helping Buchanan in meaningful ways during her personal time. She is level headed, rational, and will balance difficult decisions with compassion.
I want to thank the teachers, staff, bus drivers, aides, substitutes, nurses and everyone else in the school division for working so hard the past 19 months, even when they have felt underappreciated by some of the public. Finally, I want to thank the parents who have stepped up and had a more active role in their child’s education during the health pandemic. Parents have assisted with classwork, homework, and transportation and have had to remain flexible during quarantine situations. None of this has been easy. But, through it all, our students have persevered. Thanks to our teachers, parents, and grandparents, our students’ academic performance was commendable during the 2020-21 pandemic year. Out of 133 school divisions in Virginia, our BCPS students’ state ranking was 6th, 7th, and 8th in math, reading, and science, respectively. Yes, we ranked in the top 5-6% in the Commonwealth during the pandemic! I am proud of everyone who helped our students succeed academically.
Test scores are not everything. Mental health is also critical. In 2020-21, Botetourt County was the first school division in the area to return our students back to school four days a week for in-person instruction and the first division in the Roanoke area to allow our students to play sports. These steps certainly improved socialization and mental health. Other area school divisions followed the lead of our superintendent, Dr. Jonathan Russ. Our county is blessed to have him at the helm.
I encourage you to vote on or before November 2, 2021. And I specifically ask you to vote for Jenny Wilson to become my successor. Then, I covet your prayers and encouragement for the current and new School Board.
Michelle R. Austin
School Board Member
Buchanan District
Jenny Wilson – The right choice for Buchanan
Editor:
I have known Jenny Wilson and family for the past 10+ years. Having them in our community has bettered it in many ways. Over the past 10 years I have watched Jenny grow in many leadership roles. As PTA president for Buchanan Elementary School, she understood how important it was for our children to not only have a good education and exercise their minds, but bodies as well. Jenny set forth a plan and raised $5,000 the first year and $10,000 the second year to help this dream become a reality. She and the team worked with parks and rec on matching grant programs to cover the other $10,000 to erect a new playground.
With our boys being in the same grade and on the same sports teams, Jenny was one of the first to call on when classes and or teams needed help with field trips, snacks, party planning help, etc. She always lends a helping hand and makes sure the children have what they need. Jenny grew up playing three varsity sports and fully supports our sports programs and believes that though winning is fun, the life lessons in teamwork, persistence and hard work are something that is difficult to replicate in a classroom.
I have also worked with and called upon Jenny for volunteer work roles within the community for the Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival. She and her family step up each year to come out and provide support and volunteer hours to our event. She does this to help out and give back to her community and to teach her children that while working for pay is good and necessary for life, there is also a time to give back, love where you live and help others.
Jenny has no other agenda other than to continue to ensure students are offered the highest quality of education, while also being mindful of the fiscal responsibilities to the taxpayers. She has vowed to advocate at our local and state government levels for continued capital improvements to our aging facilities. Our teachers are one of our greatest resources and she will work to continue to recruit and retain this asset. Jenny does NOT believe that CRT is something that should be taught in our schools.
Prior to announcing her candidacy, Jenny researched what the job entailed, and the time commitment involved. She has also taken the necessary steps and submitted the paperwork and financial disclosures required for the position. Jenny has also met teachers and administrators in BCPS elementary, middle, and high schools to determine what our greatest challenges are as a county. She is well qualified, and is prepared for the time commitment and diplomacy required for this position.
Jenny is well educated, having graduated valedictorian of her high school in MS, having a BA degree in psychology from Ole Miss, and a master’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Tennessee. Jenny’s parents are both firm believers in public education. Her mother started as a school bus driver, and after earning her degrees, taught high school art and special education. Her father was active in the PTA and served on the Shawnee County School Board while Jenny was in elementary school, which was something that drove her interest in pursuing this role in Botetourt County. She has the experience and knowledge we need.
Just like our community needs Jenny Wilson and all she brings to the table, so does the School Board! Buchanan, vote Jenny Wilson November 2!
Candace W. Monaghan
Buchanan
Supports Weddle for School Board
Editor:
We would like to submit this letter in support of Anna Weddle for the Amsterdam District School Board position during the upcoming election. We moved here from New York six years ago and have four children in Botetourt County Public Schools, ranging from second through seventh grade. We are very invested in the state of the public school policies and procedures. There are many differences in the curriculum and policies between New York and Virginia and Mrs. Weddle has helped us to understand those differences to make the transition as smooth as possible.
During our time here, especially during the on-going pandemic, Mrs. Weddle has proven herself to be knowledgeable, understanding, transparent and supportive of ALL parties that are affected by the decisions the School Board has made. She is available and promptly responsive with explanations to any questions or concerns that we have had. Her understanding of the VDOE requirements as well as the laws and statutes that support their implementation within Botetourt County is evident from her informative social media presence.
It is our hope that Mrs. Weddle’s campaign to retain her position as a representative for the Amsterdam District is successful. She supports ALL of the invested parties with a non-partisan presence and is dedicated to the success of the children.
Christopher & Wendy Hoover
Daleville
