2024 General Election Candidate Profile: Zella Jones For Manassas School Board

MANASSAS, VA — As Manassas residents cast their ballots for president and Congress, the Nov. 5, 2024 general election in the City of Manassas features local races as well. In the Manassas City School Board election, eight candidates are running for four seats, including Dr. Zella Jones.

Four at-large Manassas City School Board seats are up for election on Nov. 4, 2024. Candidates include Christina Brooks, Diana Brown, Allie Forkell, Javanese Hailey, Zella Jones, Dayna-Marie Miles, Suzanne Seaberg and Maidy Whitesell. Brooks and Seaberg are incumbents seeking re-election, and the other six candidates would be newcomers to the School Board.

The City of Manassas will have the mayor, three at-large City Council seats and four at-large Manassas City School Board seats up for election in November. Federal elections on the ballot include president, Sen. Tim Kaine's U.S. Senate seat, and the 10th congressional district seat. The next state-level elections will be in 2025.

Early voting for the general election will begin on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024 and continue through Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. More information on how to vote is available from the City of Manassas elections office.

Patch asked candidates for mayor, Manassas City Council and Manassas School Board to fill out a candidate questionnaire with the same questions. Here are Zella Jones's responses:

Name

Dr. Zella Jones

Office Sought

Manassas City School Board

Age (As of Nov. 5 election)

67

Education

Doctor of Education – Education Leadership and Policy Studies- Virginia Tech
Education Specialist – Education Leadership and Policy Studies – Virginia Tech
Master- Special Education Technology – George Mason University
Bachelor of Science- Special Education – James Madison University

Occupation

Retired – Manassas City Public Schools

Family

My family loves to spend time together and looks forward to holidays and special occasions. Everyone is competitive when it comes to playing board games. My husband and I enjoy traveling and we have a list of places that we want to visit.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Previous public office positions or appointments

None

Why are you seeking this office?

With over 40 years of experience in Manassas City, I know the values and mission of Manassas City Schools. I served as a Teacher, Teacher on Special Assignment, Assistant Principal, and Principal. My two sons attended Manassas City Schools. They are both doing exceptionally well because of the foundation they received in academics and extra-curricular activities. I have worked for all the stakeholders in Manassas City to include students, parents, teachers, and the community. I watched the growth and challenges of so many students, but I also assisted in finding resolutions and successes. I believe in Manassas City Schools. I continue to be vested for the students because they are part of my community.

I feel that my expertise will help me make informed decisions about school policy. I want all students to succeed. If individuals like me do not seek office there is the possibility that the wrong people will be on the School Board, people who are not there for the student. My focus will be the students, not partisan issues.

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

I believe that all students can learn and that you need to meet students where they are to move them forward. Prior to going to school daily my sons stated, “African American, Smart, and Born to Be Great.” I want all students to say their race (i.e. Latino, Asian, White, African American, Native American, etc.) Smart, and Born to be Great.

I am a listener. I will listen and act on concerns, comments, and most importantly work with the school, the parent, and the community for the good of the student.

I do not know all the candidates running for School Board, but I can speak at Suzanne Seaberg and Diana Brown. I know that we will work together to take MCPS to the next levels, where the norm is high student achievement, stellar programs, highly qualified teachers, and students that are work or college ready. Together we educate.

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

Three matters that I think deserve attention are 1) Manassas City Schools must hire and retain highly qualified teachers. Highly qualified teachers are the driving vehicle for student achievement and academic success. 2) Increase attendance rates. Students must attend school on a consistent, regular basis. The school system addressed absenteeism during the past school year with a couple of initiatives. The upcoming reports will hopefully show an improvement in absenteeism, but student must be in school to learn. Students also need to be in school for the entire day to take advantage of all learning opportunities. 3) MCPS should continue to address social and emotional learning. Students who are depressed, anxious, suffering from an illness, shouldering adult responsibilities, or juggling too many academic and/or extracurricular activities need to learn coping skills to have success in school. There may also be other matters that the school community brings to the board’s attention. Working with the school community, the school board would develop its strategy for addressing issues.

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

As a parent, I helped my children with homework, attended parent-teacher conferences, participated in school events and activities, and provided help whenever and however needed.

As a teacher, I taught special education students, but also had the privilege to work with the general population for homeroom, lunch duty, and extra-curricular activates. As a teacher I developed Individual Education Plan (IEP’s), implemented IEP’s, instructed student in core academics and self-care skills, maintained grades and recorded progress as related to goals, communicated with parents, communicated with colleagues for students’ participation in the regular setting, communicated with administrators.

As an assistant principal, I worked with multiple departments to include Math, Career and Technical Education (CTE), Special Education, and Language Arts. Other duties included student discipline, assisted with the school improvement plan, lunch duty, bus duty, recommended staff for hire, teacher observations and evaluation, staff training, and testing coordinator.

As principal, oversaw curriculum implementation and instructional programs, participated in all grade level meetings, hired staff, completed staff observations and evaluations, implemented school improvement plan, prepared and administered school budget, conducted regular staff meetings, maintained safe and secure school, established relationships with parents and community, supported division strategic plan.

My roles as parent, teacher, assistant principal, and principal have all help shape and mold me. I have an intimate understanding of the ends and outs of the public school system. I have worked with all stakeholders. I seek solutions. I am willing to use my experience to work with the school board colleagues for student success.

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

Awards
-Manassas City Washington Post Principal of the Year- 2021
-Virginia Educator Association Mary Hatwood Futrell Award for Distinguished Leadership -2020
-National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. Northern Virginia Chapter- 2018 Ebone Image Award

I look forward to working together with stakeholder [schools, community, parents, and city council] on such matters as school budget planning and shared services. I believe it is necessary that we collaborate to find solutions in the best interest of the parents and students and the community in general.