2022 Candidate Profile: Rachel McQuillen For Fairfax City School Board

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Rachel McQuillen is on the ballot this November to serve on the City of Fairfax School Board.

McQuillen is running in the Nov. 8 general election against incumbent Carolyn S. Pitches and fellow challengers Amit S. Hickman, Sarah M. Kelsey, and Stacy R. Hall for the five seats on the board.

Patch asked each of the candidates in the school board race to fill out the following questionnaire.

Name

Rachel McQuillen

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

My husband Nick and I are the proud parents of two sons who both attend Fairfax City Schools. Our eldest has had the opportunity to attend three out of the four Fairfax City Schools including Providence Elementary, Katherine Johnson Middle, and Fairfax High School. We also have a three year old Labrador retriever named Stella and recently added a hedgehog named Band-aid to our family.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for.

I do not have any family members that currently work in politics, but I come from a family of military service members and public-school teachers. My father served in the Marine Corps for 21 years, so I am a product of many different school systems including the DODEA. After my father retired from the military, our family settled down in Northern Virginia and both of my parents became public school teachers. After teaching for over 20 years, my parents recently retired and I now have a sibling who is a teacher in Prince William County and a sibling who is a principal in Stafford County.

Education

I am a non-traditional student currently working towards my Bachelor of Science in Marketing at George Mason University after transferring with an Associates Degree in Business Administration at NVCC.

Occupation - Please include years of experience

In addition to being a stay-at-home mother, I am currently a small business owner of a pet care services and dog training business in Fairfax City and also a fitness instructor. Prior to starting my small business, I worked in the Accounting and Finance industry for over 10 years.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

I was the Providence Elementary School PTA Secretary from 2015 to 2021 and the Providence Elementary School PTA Spirit Wear Chair from 2018 to 2022. I have also been a Westmore Neighborhood Association Block Representative since 2015.

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am seeking elective office because I care deeply about the Fairfax City community and the children that reside here. I want to make sure that the children of Fairfax City receive the best educational resources available.

The single most pressing issue facing Fairfax City is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing Fairfax City is the maintenance of its current educational facilities. I intend to work closely with our city officials to ensure that our planning and budget priorities support educational facilities that provide the highest level of support for the education of our students.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

The other issues that define my campaign platform include capacity concerns, increasing school security and safety, and maintaining our Schools Services Agreement with FCPS.

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

During my career in Accounting and Finance while working as the main supportive liaison between the firm executives and our clients, I developed excellent communication, problem solving, and time management skills. I worked closely with the IRS, SEC, and other government agencies, gaining a solid understanding of Individual and Corporate tax law, government compliance, research, and financial regulation requirements. I regularly exercised mastership in bookkeeping, budgeting, purchasing, collections, marketing, and employee training. As a small business owner I am familiar with balancing many roles and responsibilities at once while communicating effectively and professionally. During my time holding various roles in the PTA I was successful in fundraising, event planning, and collaborating with vendors. I gained first-hand knowledge and became very familiar with our city schools, their facilities and staff. Since 2013, I additionally served and continue to serve as a Notary Public to the Commonwealth of Virginia residents.

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

As a parent, I have detailed knowledge of IEPs/504 plans and the AAP program. Being a product of several different school systems, including the DODEA, I bring a unique perspective and understanding of how our city schools vary from those in other areas of the world. I have always been driven to ensure only the best education for my children and I will bring this same drive to all of the students of Fairfax City Schools.

Also see:

• 2022 Candidate Profile: Amit S. Hickman For Fairfax City School Board
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Stacy Hall Runs For Fairfax City School Board
• 2022 Candidate Profile: Sarah Kelsey For Fairfax City School Board