Candidate Profile: Joe Smith For Loudoun School Board

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — This November, voters in the newly established Little River district will select their representatives for the Loudoun County School Board and Loudoun County Board of Supervisors for the first time.

Joe Smith and Sumera Rashid are hoping to represent the district, which encompasses much of southern Loudoun County, on the school board.

Patch sent the following questionnaire to Smith and Rashid to help voters make informed choices when they cast their ballot on Election Day.

Name

Joe Smith

Age

54

Town of Residence

Leesburg

Position sought:

School Board.

Party affiliation:

Independent and received endorsement of local Republican Party

Family? Names, ages and any other pertinent details you wish to share

wife - jenn sons - Connor, Patrick Daughters - Michaela, Noelle

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

N/A

Education Level

Fellowship in Prosthetics

Occupation, including employer and years of experience

Director of Prosthetics Infinite Technologies O & P 22years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

N/A

Campaign website

joesmithforschoolboard.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am running for School Board to help restore common sense and sound judgement to the decision-making and policy processes in our education system. I believe we need change in the way our school system is currently functioning, to help restore trust with the community we serve. Truly, this election is a referendum on what's been happening in our society and it's important that we stand up for our rights and the way we raise and educate our children.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Attracting & retaining excellent teachers.
In a nationwide shortage, we have not done ourselves any favors with being in the national news for the past three years. First, I will work to rebuild our image, in a positive light. Second, we need to examine and reduce/remove how much we have put on their plates in the last few years especially, particularly with the new required meetings for elementary teachers that are taking their time to plan for instruction and complete all their required tasks. We need to examine salaries to be competitive with neighboring jurisdictions. We need to listen to their concerns to retain the teachers that we have as I do not believe we have truly listened to our teachers. I will advocate for open communication with our teachers to make LCPS a great environment to work in again and want to stay for their whole career.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to recent issues (i.e. the pandemic)? What if anything would you have done differently?

In Loudoun we are not responding well with public concerns. In particular, how our former Superintendent and School Board handled the sexual assault cases.
I am a big believer in transparency and accountability. So, what I would have done differently is had more open and honest communication with our community, whether in SB meetings, newsletters/emails to my community, or other information sharing opportunities. We should not be hiding anything from the public. It should have never taken this long or this much legal maneuvering for the Independent Report to be released.
If we make a mistake, we need to admit it, own it, and work to do better the next time.

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

The critical difference between myself and Dr. Sumera Rashid is how we will approach things. I am very much a hands-on person, who wants to put in the work to build relationships, analyze what's going well, figure out opportunities for growth, and make LCPS a top school system again. Basically not continue on the course that the School Board has been on the past 4 years to create the current problems and division. If you are looking for change, I am that candidate. I believe in parents' rights and changing the course we are currently on. My opponent however, will promote more of the same of what this current School Board is doing.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

The issues I hear most about and that are my campaign priorities include:

School Safety - safety is the number one responsibility of the School Board, It is imperative that our students and staff feel safe and secure in their learning environment.

Academic Excellence - I will advocate to strengthen the academic excellence in our schools, which includes meeting every child where they are, supporting teachers, and knocking down barriers to equal opportunity.

Equality & inclusivity - Loudoun is a diverse county and I want to help make LCPS a place for all students to feel welcome, included, and safe in their learning environment.

Parent's Rights - As a LCPS parent and multi-sport coach, I welcome active parent engagement and right to make the educational and life decisions for their child. I also pledge transparency and accountability to parents and taxpayers.

Special Education - I will work to ensure that students, case managers, and teachers have the resources and support they need.

Supporting Teachers/ Staff - I am committed to ensuring that our LCPS staff members feel values and supported in the important work they do each day. This is imperative if we are to attract and retain the best people to work with our children.

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

Professional accomplishments:
I am a Certified Prosthetist, American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics. I also serve as a "fellow" in Prosthetics. I am the Co-Chairman(2002-present) of the American Association of Orthotists and Prosthetists. I am also the Director for NCOPE Prosthetic Residency.

Personal accomplishments:
Raising four children and serving as a successful LCPS coach for both wrestling and softball over multiple years, with numerous athletes making it to state competitions. In 2020, I was named the All-LOCO Coach of the Year for wrestling.

Being a parent of four LCPS students, coupled with my background serving in LCPS for years as a multi-sport high school coach, I have finished insights into the needs of our students and their families. I also grew up with most of my family being educators, so I understand the importance of their work and challenges they face daily. I will leverage my knowledge and skills as a successful business owner to bring a fresh perspective to our School Board, one that is focused on civil discourse and working together in the best interests of all our students and the community.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

A quote my father shared with me when I was young and deciding on a career. He told me "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give” and that we are morally obligated to do things for others meaning that if you voluntary adopt this responsibility, through that, you will also find your fundamental strength.

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

Ultimately, I choose to run for School Board to help restore common sense and sound judgement to the decision- making and policy processes in our education system. I believe we need change in the way our school system is currently functioning, to help restore trust with the community we serve. Truly this election is a referendum on our moral/ethical and social fabric of how we raise our children and our rights as parents. I want to return LCPS to be the excellence of education it once was with core academics prioirity [sic].