Saundra Davis For At-Large Seat On Fairfax County School Board

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Saundra Davis, who has a master’s degree in health care administration and a master’s degree in gerontology, is running to serve as an at-large member of the Fairfax County School Board.

An independent endorsed by the Fairfax County Republicans, Davis is running to fill one of the three at-large seats on the school board in the Nov. 7 general election. Davis has also received the endorsement of state Sen. Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax).

"I have many volunteer experiences under my belt but my last formal employment was as the director of a secure memory care unit in a nursing home," Davis says on her campaign website. "I intended to return to this field after I raised my children, but life is funny like that. Instead, I am called to protect another vulnerable population, the children of FCPS."

The general election ballot in Fairfax County will also include countywide races for Board of Supervisors chairman, Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney, Fairfax County Sheriff, and Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District.

Early voting for the general election began on Friday, Sept. 22. More information on how to vote is available from the Fairfax County Office of Elections.

Patch asked candidates running for the at-large seats on the Fairfax County School Board to fill out a candidate questionnaire with the same questions. Here are Davis's responses:

Name

Saundra Davis

Age

53

Family

3 sons aged 22, 20, 18. I have been a military spouse for 32 years.

Education

Undergraduate degree in Psychology, minor in Sociology from Colorado State University

Two master degrees from the University of Southern California. One in Health Care Administration and one in Gerontology.

Occupation

My last formal employment, before I stepped away to be a stay at home parent for 20 plus years, was as the director of a secure memory care unit in a nursing home. I intended to return to this field after I raised my children but I am called to serve another vulnerable population, the children of FCPS. I have many volunteer experiences under my belt during this parenting time to include the past president of the Manassas Moms Club and VP, Secretary and Family Events Coordinator in a military spouses club.

Campaign Website

www.davisforeducation.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office (if any):

Past President of Manassas Moms Club and VP, Secretary and Family Events Coordinator in a military spouses club.

The single most pressing issue facing Fairfax County Public Schools is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

I view the learning loss, declining standardized test scores, and modified grading as not only damaging to FCPS’s reputation but also a roadblock to college admissions, vocational success, a deterrent to people choosing to stay or move to the area, and a danger to our national security.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am not beholden to any political party as a candidate, and I will carry that over into my decision-making as a school board member. I will not be there to appease any outside overlord. My only motivation in being there is to make sure this school system stops resting on its laurels, and actually focuses on providing a robust education to help all of our community's kids have successful futures.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

• Exodus of Teachers and Students: I want to investigate and help mediate the factors prompting the exodus of teachers and students from FCPS.
• Special Education: I will point out and help rectify when FCPS is failing to walk the walk when it comes to students with disabilities.
• Learning Loss and Mental Impact: I am interested in solutions to address learning loss and the mental fallout caused by extensive school closures.
• Military Students: I would be excited to increase the number of schools in the county that participate in the Purple Star program for military-connected students.
• Academic Excellence: I will lead a return to focus on academic rigor over politics.

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

• Directing a 52-bed dementia unit in a nursing home is no joke. You have to balance the employee, resident, and family wants and needs while being cognizant of the state regulations.
• I also earned two master degrees in just two years. I had to be focused and intentional. I manage my campaign for school board with the same degree of intensity.
• Raising 3 sons to adulthood while managing a military household to include a lengthy deployment is of note.

Why should voters trust you?

Because I have proven over the last three years that I can and do work across political affiliations to do what's right by the students of FCPS. I have the ability to look for solutions while also questioning the narrative. Student outcomes are more important than political dogma.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Do not criticize volunteers because there is generally not a long line of people waiting to replace them.

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