Greetings!

My victory in the November 3, 2009 election for the Providence District School Board is a win for all Providence district citizens.  Our positive message of accountability, transparency, innovation and improved community relations clearly resonated with parents, teachers and taxpayers.

As I stated throughout the campaign, the School Board is a nonpartisan position.  Although the Washington Post, the Sun Gazette, and nearly every Democratic Fairfax County elected official endorsed my opponent’s campaign, voters rejected the partisan focus.  The message sent by voters – Independents, Democrats and Republicans alike - was loud and clear:  parents and taxpayers want the focus on kids and teachers in our schools rather than administrators and partisan politics. 

I want to thank the thousands of parents, teachers and taxpayers who instilled their confidence in me with their votes, as well as the many volunteers that helped me in a variety of ways.  I’m also very grateful for the support that parent advocacy leaders from FAIRGRADE and Fairfax CAPS gave by endorsing and supporting my candidacy.  Additionally, I’m particularly grateful to the FCPS teachers whose support has helped fuel my passion for doing what’s right for our students and teachers.

Now that the election is over, my focus is on working with my colleagues on the School Board to keep FCPS a world-class school system.  I am honored to represent the citizens of the Providence District, and will use my 20 years of budgeting and contracting experience to tackle the tough issues facing our schools during the county’s continuing budget discussions.  As I discussed with Sharon Bulova, Chair of the Board of Supervisors, I want to examine budget innovations – not just budget cuts. 

In the days ahead, I will be getting in touch again with all the principals, PTA/PTO presidents, teachers’ union representatives and parent advocate leaders and other neighborhood, parent and business groups in the Providence District.  In keeping with my campaign’s promise, I will work to provide all stakeholders a more active, constructive, ongoing role in School Board decisions.  Together, we can work to ensure that FCPS continues providing opportunities that allow each child to reach their full potential.

Best,
Patty Reed
Providence District representative-elect
Fairfax County Public Schools