As we past the 30-day mark to Election Day, I want to take a moment to speak directly to you, the voters of Lee Hill.
At the recent candidate forum, I made it clear that I respect all candidates in the Lee Hill School Board race and believe we each care about students and educators. In my closing remarks, I even acknowledged my opponent, Ms. Pickover, by name—recognizing that her absence was due to illness and expressing my belief that she genuinely wanted to be there.
Time and again, I’ve broken with the traditional advice that says candidates should never mention their opponents. Why? Because I believe that if Lee Hill voters compare our resumes, values, and track records, they’ll clearly see that my experience, commitment, and results speak for themselves. I trust the voters to make an informed decision.
In contrast, during the forum, my opponent Mr. Lieberman made the unfortunate and inaccurate claim—while I was seated right next to him—that I have done next to nothing to support children in our community in recent years. That statement was not only dismissive, but it was disrespectful to the many families, children, and organizations I’ve worked with.
Let’s set the record straight:
I’ve helped provide free eyeglasses and vision exams to children in need.
I’ve worked with foster children and families, ensuring they receive care and resources.
I completed a social work internship at Chancellor Elementary, directly supporting students.
I served on the Spotsylvania County Social Services Advisory Board, impacting policies that affect local families.
I sit on the board of a mental health nonprofit—a group our school social workers partner with regularly to connect families to vital services.
I’ve organized kid-focused community events, aimed at giving kids opportunities to have fun.
If Mr. Lieberman doesn’t view any of that as meaningful support for children, I can only conclude he’s not paying attention—or he’s more focused on political posturing than facts.
I’ve also taken the time to review my opponent’s own claims. While he says he’s supported Spotsylvania kids for 25–30 years, records and his own past statements reveal he’s spent numerous years living in Caroline County and Fredericksburg. In contrast, since returning from my fourth overseas deployment in late 2014, I’ve been actively involved in this community. Every role I’ve listed—every contribution—can be verified by the organizations and individuals I’ve served alongside.
Leadership is not about making vague claims or casting doubt on others. It’s about results, accountability, and attention to detail. These qualities matter on a school board. They impact test scores, staff morale, student outcomes, and parent trust.
At the forum, I shared a central piece of my vision: the School Board must spend more time understanding why some of our schools are not meeting performance benchmarks. This means looking into challenges school by school if necessary. If our schools succeed, it’s because of the hard work of our students and educators. But if they fail, it is the School Board’s responsibility for not creating the conditions for success.
Mr. Lieberman dismissed this as “micromanaging.” But I see it as doing the job voters elected us to do—ensuring that no school, no educator, and no student is left behind.
Unfortunately, it routinely seems Mr. Lieberman is more interested in revisiting old political battles. Meanwhile, I’m focused on our students' futures—not the political conflicts of yesterday.
Let me leave you with this:
Four years is a long time to have the wrong leadership.
For a child just entering school, it’s their most formative years.
For a high school freshman, it’s their entire high school experience—years that shape their opportunities for college, careers, and beyond.
There are no do-overs. Our students deserve leaders who are prepared, principled, and proactive.
I ask for your trust—and your vote—to serve Lee Hill with the integrity, leadership, and dedication our students and educators deserve.