Harry Jackson Running In Hunter Mill District School Board Race

RESTON, VA — Harry Jackson is a 46-year-old, married father of three, who works as a cybersecurity consultant. He's also a candidate in the Hunter Mill District School Board race.

Endorsed by the Fairfax County Republican Committee, Jackson is running against incumbent School Board member Melanie Meren, who has been endorsed by the Fairfax County Democratic Committee.

Election Day is Nov. 7 in Fairfax County, where registered voters will be casting ballots for candidates running for open seats on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and School Board races. In Fairfax County, candidates are running to be chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, sheriff, commonwealth's attorney, and clerk of the court, as well as directors for the Soil and Water Conversation District. Voters will also be choosing who will represent them in the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates.

Related: Melanie Meren Running In Hunter Mill District School Board Race

The first absentee ballots for the General Election will be mailed on Friday, Sept. 22, which is also when early voting begins. Early voting will continue through Nov. 4, which is three days before Election Day. More information about about how to register to vote, vote early, request an absentee ballot and find your polling place in Fairfax City, Falls Church and Fairfax County is available online.

Patch invited each of the school board candidates in the Hunter Mill District race to fill out a questionnaire about their campaigns. Patch does not edit the responses of candidates to its election questionnaire. The following are Jackson's responses.

Name

Harry Jackson

Position sought

Hunter Mill District school board member

Age (at the time of election)

46

Campaign Website

friendsofharryjackson.com

Family: Names, ages and any pertinent detail you wish to share.

Married father of three

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Yes

Education

Doctorate - Strategic Security (Henley-Putnam University), Master of Science in Government Information Leadership (National Defense University), Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies (United States Naval Way College), Master of Arts in Strategic Intelligence Studies (American Military University), Bachelor of Science in General Engineering (United States Naval Academy)

Occupation - Please include years of experience

Cybersecurity Consultant, 24 years.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am running for the school board with a commitment to ensuring that all students in Fairfax County Public Schools achieve their fullest potential. I've observed concerning trends that suggest a decline in academic standards, and I'm eager to work towards reversing this trend to uphold academic excellence. Additionally, I believe every student, regardless of ethnicity, should have equal access to advanced academic programs. My mission includes eradicating any policies that might discriminate against specific groups, such as our Asian students. The safety of our academic environments is paramount, ensuring that every child can learn without fear. Furthermore, I see a need to enhance transparency within our school administration. This transparency is essential for parents, as it allows them to effectively advocate for their children and stay abreast of their academic progress. I am here to serve our community and prioritize the educational welfare of every student.

The single most pressing issue facing the Hunter Mill District is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The primary challenge confronting Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is addressing pandemic learning loss. Compared to other districts, FCPS kept its doors closed for an extended period during the pandemic. This decision has had a significant and perhaps long-lasting effect on our students. The full extent of this impact remains unclear, but experts believe it could take decades to fully rectify. My plan focuses on leveraging and expanding existing public/private collaborations. For instance, the partnership with Tutor.com has shown promise. I propose we initiate a bidding process inviting vendors to present solutions that cater to the diverse needs of our K-12 students. Drawing from the success stories within our community, programs like Kumon have been particularly effective for many families. It's worth considering similar approaches within our educational framework to accelerate learning recovery.

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

A critical difference between myself and Melanie Meren is that I will show up to school board meetings and participate in school board votes on a consistent basis. A claim Mrs. Meren cannot make. I am also against racist policies, the inclusion of child pornography and pederasty in our school libraries, and I am against the cover-up of child rape or retraumatizing victims in cruel and inhumane ways as Mrs. Meren has done in supporting her legal teams demand for invasive vaginal, anal, and cervix exams of a rape victim without the presence of an advocate . I am also against bullying FCPS staff into retirement, another accomplishment of Mrs. Meren's.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

If elected, I aim to address and amend several issues in our school system. Firstly, I'm committed to revising policies that may disproportionately limit Asian students from participating in Advanced Academic Programs. I will also work to eliminate educational redlining in Fairfax County, ensuring every student, irrespective of their community, has equal access to opportunities. Enhancing sports opportunities in middle schools is also on my agenda. I believe in forging strong public and private collaborations to enhance and expand services for children with Special Educational Needs. And crucially, I am dedicated to ensuring the safety and appropriateness of materials in our school libraries, removing the content that depicts child pornography and pederasty that could harm or misinform our students.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I am for restoring academic excellence, safety in our schools, and promoting parental advocacy for their children.

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

My qualifications for this position are grounded in a diverse range of experiences and a strong commitment to education and advocacy. As a parent of three children, two of whom are enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools, I have a deep understanding of the educational system and the needs of students and parents. One of my notable achievements was serving as the first Black President of the Parent Teacher Student Association at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. In this role, I actively promoted community engagement and collaboration.

Furthermore, I have a track record of leadership as the former Vice President and Diversity Chair for the Fairfax County Association for the Gifted (FCAG). FCAG's recognition as a finalist in the 2023 Washington Parent Picks for Parental Advocacy underscores my dedication to fostering a supportive environment for students.

Beyond my role as a parent and advocate, I bring valuable educational experience, having taught at reputable institutions such as the University of Maryland, National Intelligence University, and Champlain College. Additionally, I am a passionate supporter of the Black Student Fund, which has worked tirelessly since 1964 to integrate independent schools, further emphasizing my commitment to diversity and inclusion in education.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Do what is right, not what is easy.

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

I am a moderate and a parent.