Marcia St. John-Cunning To Run For Open Franconia School Board Seat

FRANCONIA, VA — A longtime former Fairfax County Public Schools interpreter and family liaison employee announced Friday that she is running for the open Franconia District seat on the county school board.

Marcia St. John-Cunning, who currently serves as the community school coordinator at Mt. Vernon Woods Elementary School in Fairfax County, is hoping to succeed Tammy Derenak Kaufax, who announced in January that she would not seek re-election to a fourth term on the Fairfax County School Board.

St. John-Cunning, who would be the school board’s only Latina member, will be seeking the Democratic Party’s endorsement in May.

“I am the proud mom of three FCPS graduates who has lived and worked in Franconia District for 35 years,” St. John- Cunning said in a statement Friday. “As a mother, educator, and engaged community member, I have been in the fight to strengthen our local public schools for decades. Franconia District families know I will always have their backs.”

St. John-Cunning and Mark Stanley Tenney are currently the only candidates who have announced they will be seeking the endorsement of Fairfax Democrats. No other candidates have announced plans to run for the open seat.

Outgoing Franconia District school board member Derenak Kaufax has endorsed St. John-Cunning’s candidacy.

“I am thrilled Marcia St. John-Cunning is running to represent Franconia District families on the School Board, and I am proud to endorse her candidacy,” Derenak Kaufax said.

Derenak Kaufax noted she has known St. John-Cunning for nearly two decades, first as a fellow parent volunteer and theater mom. “Marcia has the passion, drive and experience necessary to serve our families starting on day one,” she said.

Prior to working in Fairfax County Public Schools, St. John-Cunning worked on Capitol Hill as a legislative aide in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she also served as staff coordinator for the Congressional Border Caucus. She then joined Hispanic Magazine as an aide to the publisher when it launched.

“I want to thank Tammy for her years of service to our community. I look forward to building on her work to ensure every student has the tools they need to succeed,” St. John-Cunning said.

St. John-Cunning said she plans to meet with Franconia District families over the next few months to hear directly from them.

“After being in the trenches as a mom, educator, and community leader, I am ready to bring my experience to the school board and champion the needs of Franconia District students and families,” she said.

Voters who are not Fairfax County Democratic Committee members must sign up by May 5 to participate in its endorsement process. The sign-up period opens April 10 and closes May 5.

Online voting for in the school board endorsement process for Fairfax Democrats will start May 13 and end May 20. In-person voting on May 20 will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at locations that have yet to be announced.