Candidate Profile: Santos Muñoz For Loudoun County School Board

DULLES, VA — Santos Muñoz, a retired Air Force officer with two Loudoun County Public Schools graduates, is seeking election to the Dulles District seat of the Loudoun County School Board in the Nov. 4, 2025 general election.

Five of the nine school board seats are up for election in 2025 as the school board moved to staggered terms. Muñoz is running against Jonathon Pepper. Current Dulles District representative and school board Chair Melinda Mansfield is not seeking re-election. Other districts with elections in 2025 are Algonkian, Broad Run, Leesburg and Sterling.

In addition to the school board elections, Loudoun County voters will have Virginia governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and Virginia House of Delegates seats on the ballot. There are also Loudoun County bond questions on school projects, parks and recreation and public safety projects, and transportation projects on the ballot. The Towns of Middleburg and Round Hill elections are on the ballot within those towns.

Early voting for the general election began on Friday, Sept. 19. More information on how to vote is available from the Loudoun County Office of Elections.

SEE ALSO: Ashburn, Loudoun County General Election Early Voting To Open: What To Know

Patch asked candidates for Loudoun County School Board to fill out a candidate questionnaire with the same questions. Here are Muñoz's responses:

Name

Santos Munoz

Office Sought

Dulles District seat of the Loudoun County School Board

Campaign Website

https://munozforva.com/

Age (As of Nov. 4 election)

54

Education

Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and Master of Arts degree in Labor Relations

Occupation

Defense Contractor at SPA Inc.

Family

Married for 29 years with 2 children now graduated from the Loudoun County Public School system

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Previous public office positions or appointments

Appointment to the Commonwealth of Virginia's Latino Advisory Board (VLAB). Current Chair of Education Committee of VLAB.

Why are you seeking this office?

I’m running for the Loudoun County School Board because I believe every child deserves a safe, supportive, and high-quality education. As a parent and longtime Loudoun resident, I’ve seen firsthand both the strengths of our schools and the challenges we need to address. At the heart of my campaign is a simple promise: I’ll work to keep politics out of the classroom and focus on practical solutions that serve all families, no matter their background or beliefs.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidate(s) seeking this post?

My opponent has not shared public positions on important issues such as Policy 8040 — a policy that continues to divide our community — or other matters before the School Board. I believe transparency is essential, which is why I’ve consistently made my positions clear, whether on social media or in public comments to the Board.

From an experience perspective, I bring more than 20 years as a U.S. Air Force officer and senior executive, leading people, managing complex operations, and overseeing budgets at a scale larger than most school systems. The role of a School Board member is not about teaching a class — it’s about governance: stewarding more than $2 billion in assets, setting sound policy, overseeing human capital, and ensuring fiscal responsibility.

That executive leadership, combined with a centrist, balanced perspective, uniquely positions me to serve the Dulles District effectively. My focus is on putting students first, supporting teachers, partnering with parents, and bridging divides so our schools remain among the best in the nation. That’s the difference I see.

What do you see as the top issues facing your locality, and how do you address them in your campaign platform?

I’m focused on four main priorities:

• Student safety and well-being — keeping our schools secure and expanding mental health supports.

• Parental rights — ensuring families are at the center of their child’s education and strengthening communication between parents and schools.

• Academic excellence — preparing students for college, careers, and life by supporting teachers and focusing on fundamentals.

• Fiscal responsibility — using taxpayer dollars wisely and transparently to deliver the best outcomes for students and families.

At the heart of my campaign is a simple promise: I’ll keep politics out of the classroom and focus on practical solutions that serve all families, no matter their background or beliefs.

The best way to solve challenges is through civility, dialogue, and partnership with our community. With common-sense leadership and data-driven decisions, we can achieve great success across Loudoun County.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

One accomplishment I’m especially proud of is co-leading Operation Burnt Frost in 2008, where my team and I worked with more than 200 members across 14 government agencies worldwide to prevent the uncontrolled reentry of a satellite that could have endangered people. That mission required complex coordination, decisive leadership, and accountability at the highest level.

Beyond that, my 20+ years as a U.S. Air Force officer gave me extensive experience leading large organizations, managing multimillion-dollar budgets, and overseeing operations at a scale larger than most school systems.

I’ve also worked here in Loudoun with community organizations, interfaith groups, and local leaders to bring people together across differences. Those experiences — high-stakes leadership, fiscal accountability, and community partnership — are exactly what I’ll bring to the School Board to ensure our students thrive, our teachers are supported, and our schools remain among the best in the nation.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I’m grateful to the residents of Loudoun County for engaging in this important conversation about the future of our schools. My commitment is to be accessible, transparent, and accountable to the community. What has encouraged me the most in this campaign is the grassroots support I’ve received from Democrats, Republicans, and Independents — many of whom are getting involved for the first time because they see the value in a voice of common sense. That kind of broad, community-driven support shows we can come together and put students above politics.