Loudoun School Board's Leslee King Dies After Heart Procedure

ASHBURN, VA — Loudoun County School Board member Leslee King died Tuesday from complications related to a heart procedure earlier this summer, according to a statement issued Tuesday afternoon by a fellow board member.

King, who represented the Broad Run District, had served on the school board since January 2020. She was elected to the school board on Nov. 5, 2019, receiving 61 percent of the vote.

King was born in Portsmouth and grew up in Portsmouth, Front Royal, Richmond and the D.C area. She taught sixth, seventh and eighth grades early in her career before moving west to support her husband’s career. She returned to Virginia in 1986 and moved into the technology field to support her three young children.

King performed site assessments for companies and government agencies, including the U.S. Central Command, Defense Information Systems Agency, Department of Homeland Security, Department of State and the U.S. Senate.

“We received the devastating news that Leslee King, the Broad Run School Board member, passed away today after complications from major heart surgery earlier this summer,” fellow School Board member Ian Serotkin (Blue Ridge District) said on his Facebook page.

“Leslee was a relentlessly positive person who never ran out of optimism, kindness, and stories about her children and grandchildren,” Serotkin said. "She cared deeply for all of our students and staff, and I will miss her greatly."

“As a school board member, Ms. King was a positive force for good,” Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Scott Ziegler said in a statement Tuesday. “Her voice for all children never wavered, and she always spoke her mind in the kindest way possible. I looked forward to her wit and wisdom at our meetings. She will be missed.”

Brenda Sheridan, chair of the Loudoun County School Board, said King was a dedicated board member and a "fierce advocate for every student.”

“She prepared, researched and spoke unapologetically to her positions. Her support and friendship throughout this most difficult and challenging term was unwavering. I will miss my colleague and ally, and most importantly, my friend,” Sheridan said.

In June, King attended seven LCPS graduations in-person and congratulated more than 3,500 members of the class of 2020.

She posted this message to the graduates on her Facebook page: “Don’t ever let anyone tell you you cannot do something because you persevered and made it through the worst health crisis our country has ever known ... You have a fantastic future ahead of you!”

King served as chair of the Loudoun County School Board’s Finance and Operations Committee and Pupil Services Committee and was a member of the Equity Committee and the Communications and Outreach Committee.

King was known for giving gifts, such as hand-knit scarves, to staff and for her entertaining stories about her parents’ unusual courtship during World War II, according to a news release issued by the school system. She is survived by her three children and their families.

The school board may appoint a replacement until a special election is held to select someone to serve the remainder of her term, which expires Dec. 31, 2023, LoudounNow reported.