School Board Member Ron Gill Won’t Seek Second Term

Manassas Park School Board member Ron Gill said he won’t seek a second term on the school board after his current term expires on June 30.

 Gill, a former school teacher, began his three-year term in 2009, but said he won’t reapply for his position, because of a change in his full-time work schedule.

“Unfortunately, I will not be applying … for reappointment to the school board.  My work schedule has changed and I have had an exponential amount of travel added to my requirements,” Gill wrote in an email.  

“This frequent travel has made it very hard for me to join many of the sessions during this calendar year.  And my absences have placed an unfair burden on the rest of the members of the board to accomplish the many things they are tasked with, including providing a that captures all of our primary goals as a school division.  A job they accomplished most successfully.”

  School board members aren’t elected in Manassas Park, but appointed by the city’s governing body after an interview.

School board member Tricia Rhodes' seat also expires this year, but she intends to seek reappointment.

Gill said he hopes city council will appoint someone who feels motivated to cherish and fight for the best school system and its children.

He also hopes that the next person appointed to the school board is blessed with the same opportunities as he, Gill said.

 “ … As a school division, we have had an embarrassment of riches in success both academically and athletically.  I witnessed and met first hand a generation of students who lived up to and expanded the legacy of continuous improvements of the Manassas Park School systems,” he said.  “And I leave the school board knowing that this will unequivocally continue due to the current members of the school board and the leadership in our central office.”

 He’s had the pleasure of working with  and his predecessor —two men who are dedicated to the success of the school division, Gill said.

McDade has worked tirelessly to focus on the individual needs of every student, Gill said.

“I wish the best to Dr. McDade and his excellent leadership team,” he said.