2024 Candidate Profile: Kelly Carmichael Booz 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 Kelly Carmichael Booz.

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 B, where Carmichael Booz is running, includes parts of central and 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 started on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024 and continues 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 Kelly Carmichael Booz's responses:

Name

Kelly Carmichael Booz

Office Sought

Alexandria School Board, District B

Campaign Website

www.kellycarmichaelbooz.com

Age (As of Nov. 5 election)

45

Education

M.Ed. Social Foundations of Education, University of Virginia

B.A. Psychology, Carleton College

Political Leaders Program, Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership, University of Virginia

Occupation

Director of Share My Lesson at the American Federation of Teachers (AFT)

Family

My husband, Hendrick, and I met in Alexandria 18 years ago and decided to make Alexandria our home, eventually settling in the Taylor Run neighborhood. Hendrick is a high school English teacher in Fairfax County for over 25 years, and our two children attend George Washington Middle School and Douglas MacArthur Elementary.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My husband is a public school teacher in Fairfax County.

Previous public office positions or appointments

Alexandria City School Board Member for District B (2013-2015, 2022-present); Currently serving as Vice Chair Chair, Redistricting Subcommittee (December 2023-Present) Liaison, Budget Advisory Committee (January 2022-Present) Member, School Board Policy Subcommittee (October 2022-Present) Member, Joint City Council/School Board Subcommittee (July 2023-Present) Board of Directors, Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence Board of Directors, Virginia Civics Appointed by Governor Terry McAuliffe to the Virginia Standards of Learning Innovation Committee (2014) Former Board Member, Kathy Wilson Foundation Member, Douglas MacArthur Elementary School Advisory Committee Alexandria Chamber of Commerce 40 Under 40 Honoree (2017)

Why are you seeking this office?

I am seeking reelection to continue building on the progress we’ve made in supporting our students, teachers, and community. With over 25 years of experience in education and two terms on the School Board, including my role as Vice Chair, I bring a strong foundation of knowledge and dedication to this work. We've made significant strides in increasing school capacity, improving staff pay, and securing funding for net-zero schools. However, there is still much more to accomplish. I’m eager to continue advocating for improvements that help every student thrive.

One of my key priorities moving forward is election reform. Throughout my tenure, I have advocated for staggered terms to provide greater continuity and stability within the School Board, which helps retain institutional knowledge and improve long-term planning. While we couldn't pass this reform in the past three years, I remain committed to pursuing staggered terms in the next term to ensure smoother transitions and stronger leadership for our schools.

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

I’m proud to run alongside candidates who are equally committed to our schools. I bring to the table my experience as both a School Board member (2013-2015 and 2022-Current) and an education professional with a national reach. As Vice Chair, I’ve led efforts in redistricting, budget, and staff support. Additionally, my work directing Share My Lesson at the AFT, where I support over 2.2 million educators nationally, allows me to bring a broader perspective to local challenges. My background in civics education further strengthens my collaborative, inclusive approach to problem-solving.

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

Key issues in Alexandria include school capacity, teacher retention, and student safety. Overcrowding is a pressing concern, especially in the West End. My platform emphasizes long-term solutions like redistricting and advocating for new school construction, while ensuring these buildings are sustainable through net-zero standards. Retaining teachers is another priority—I support competitive salaries, benefits, and collective bargaining to improve work conditions. Lastly, student safety is critical. As a Board member of Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence, I support policies that enhance security and provide mental health support to address underlying issues.

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

I am incredibly proud of the work we’ve accomplished together:

Increasing school capacity to accommodate our growing student body–and yes, we need to do more and we will with redistricting that I am chairing
Supporting a salary step increase and an MRA/COLA cost of living increase for ACPS staff
Supporting the collective bargaining resolution for ACPS staff, paving the way for staff to have a seat at the table with a collective bargaining agreement
Pushing for full modernization funding for George Mason and Cora Kelly Elementary Schools with the City Council and our community, which both include funding for net-zero energy buildings
Successfully managing the transition to new superintendents twice during my respective terms
Enhancing the safety and security measures across our schools to protect our students and staff

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

I’m deeply invested in ensuring every student in Alexandria receives a high-quality education. As a parent, School Board member, and education professional with over 25 years of experience, I bring a comprehensive understanding of the challenges we face.