2024 General Election Candidate Profile: Donna Kenley For Alexandria School Board

ALEXANDRIA, VA — As Alexandrians cast their ballots for president and Congress, the Nov. 5, 2024 general election in the City of Alexandria features local races as well. In the Alexandria School Board election, there are nine candidates running for nine seats, including Donna Kenley.

There was no primary election for the non-partisan School Board race. The nine-member School Board has three representatives each from Districts A, B and C. There are three candidates in each of the Districts A, B and C, so none are opposed on the ballot. District C, where Kenley is running, includes parts of West End Alexandria.

The City of Alexandria will have the mayor, all six City Council seats and all nine Alexandria School Board seats up for election in November. Federal elections on the ballot include president, Sen. Tim Kaine's U.S. Senate seat, and Rep. Don Beyer's eighth 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 Alexandria Office of Voter Registration & Elections.

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

Name

Donna Kenley

Office Sought

School Board – District C

Campaign Website

DonnaKenleyVA.com

Education

Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution, George Mason University; MS Administration,
Central Michigan University; MA Political Science, University of Tennessee; BA Political
Science University of North Carolina.

Occupation

Retired U.S. Army and former College Professor.

Family

My interest in education began with my mother who was a PTA President and Tutor. She advocated the importance of collaboration among parents and teachers, and she tutored English language learners to ensure they had an equitable chance to achieve success.

My dad was a wounded World War II veteran. He deployed with the 25th Infantry Division to war in the Pacific. I deployed as a member of that same Infantry Division to exercises in the Republic of Korea (ROC) between 1982 and 1985. As a child, I learned the stories of my family, like my dad’s, who answered the call to serve. I too answered that call and committed to serve in the U.S. Army, retiring as a Colonel in 2004 after 30 years.

Previous public office positions or appointments

Member of School Board’s Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC).

Why are you seeking this office?

I began my tutoring experience in 2019 at Patrick Henry Elementary. In 2023, I became a Book Buddies tutor through the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium (ATC) for a first-grade student at Samuel W. Tucker Elementary. This one-on-one tutoring experience and my service on the School Board’s Special Education Advisory Committee clarified the importance of community support for all students and inspired my run for school board. I want to bring that same community-level collaboration and coordination to make informed decisions that impact our school children!

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

All school board candidates bring different talents, backgrounds, experiences, and decision-making processes to the position. This diversity impacts the board in a positive way and will become a synergy of effort as we pull together as a team to bring consensus on issues. I will use my experience and a lifetime of problem-solving skills to work as a team member while serving on the Alexandria School Board.
-I will listen to you, and I will act for our school children.
-I will dedicate my service to making a difference for your child.
-I will pay particular attention to tutoring and special education programs.

District C Candidates - Chris Harris, Abdulahi Abdalla, and I will host a Meet and Greet at Armistead Boothe Park on Saturday 21 September 2024 from 4 to 7:00pm to visit with community members. We are also available at the West End Farmer’s Market on Sundays from 9:00am to 1:00pm. Check our Facebook pages to see our community connections.

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

The key issues are personnel, policy, and budget. As a board member I will
-ensure that personnel, policy, and budget issues align with the strategic goal to support an equitable learning environment where our students thrive.
-collaborate with School Board members, the School Superintendent, and the ACPS staff to support our students and families.
-use my experience in education, community, and military service to be your voice on the School Board.

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

Much of my life has been spent in committed service – Education, Community, and Military. I served:
-as a tutor and subcommittee member of the Alexandria School Board.
-in the U.S. Army for 30 years (1974 to 2004) retiring as a Colonel.
-18 years as a college professor, educator, and leader at military and civilian colleges and universities.

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

I was born in Charlotte, NC and joined the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) in 1974 after receiving my BA, MA, and a Teaching Certificate in 12th grade Civics. My last assignment in 2001 was at the Pentagon. Following my retirement in 2004, I lived in Alexandria. I used the GI Bill to obtain a Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University in 2009 and taught graduate school at American Military University and George Mason University.