Sandy Anderson Announces Bid To Serve Her Hometown Springfield District On School Board

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Sandy Anderson, a long-time resident of the Springfield District of Fairfax County, announced Friday that she is running for the Fairfax County School Board as its Springfield District representative.

Growing up in the Springfield District, Anderson attended Fairfax County Public Schools. She worked as an instructor and camp director for the Fairfax County Park Authority, and then went on to teach college English across the country during her husband’s 20-year career in the U.S. Army.

"I'm excited to run for the Fairfax County School Board. My experience as an FCPS student, current FCPS mom, PTO leader, military spouse, and a higher-ed educator make me uniquely qualified to represent and serve the families of the Springfield District," Anderson said in a statement Friday. "My experience lends itself to this work. This is my hometown, and I am ready to serve."

Anderson is the only Democrat in the race for the Springfield District member on the school board.

In her current job, Anderson works as a contractor supporting two Department of Defense youth programs focusing on at-risk youth and STEM education. For the last five years, she has served as president of the Parent Teacher Organization at Silverbrook Elementary.

Anderson, a resident of Fairfax Station, is hoping to succeed Laura Jane Cohen, the current Springfield District member on the Fairfax County School Board, who is running for a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates.

“I know I have big shoes to fill in the seat being vacated by Laura Jane Cohen, who is running for the House of Delegates in the new 15th district,” Anderson said. “I'm excited to work with Laura Jane in this new capacity and am so grateful to have her endorsement and full support on this journey.”

High schools in the Springfield District include Centreville High School, Chantilly High School and West Springfield High School. Students who live in the Springfield District also attend high schools in other districts, including the Braddock District and Fairfax City.

One of her campaign's core issues is ensuring Fairfax County Public Schools embrace the teaching of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM).

Anderson also emphasizes that FCPS needs to be adequately funded. "Right now, FCPS is funded primarily through county tax revenue and a smaller share from the state," her campaign website states. "As funding from the state is called into question, the Fairfax County School Board needs to be ready to justify and maximize our public tax dollars for public education!"

On her campaign website, Anderson also notes there are more than 14,000 military-connected students in Fairfax County Public Schools. "They deserve representation from someone that has experience in and around the issues unique to them," the website says.

Anderson plans to seek the endorsement of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee, or Fairfax Democrats. The deadline for school board candidates to submit an application for endorsement by Fairfax Democrats is April 6.

Voters who are not Fairfax County Democratic Party members must pre-register by May 5 to participate in the endorsement process. Online voting in the endorsement process will start May 13 and end May 20. In-person voting for the endorsement process will take place on May 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at locations that will be announced at a later date, according to Fairfax Democrats.