2023 Candidate Profile: Margie Lucas For Fredericksburg School Board

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Margie Lucas is one of three candidates hoping to fill a pair of at-large seats on the Fredericksburg City School Board.

Lucas is running against Molly McFadden and Jarvis Bailey.

Patch sent the following questionnaire to Lucas, McFadden, and Bailey to help inform readers about their options this Election Day.

Name

Margie Lucas

Age (as of Election Day)?

49

Town of Residence?

City of Fredericksburg

Position sought:

School Board Member-at-Large

Party affiliation

Independent

Family? Names, ages and any other pertinent details you wish to share

Husband and five children.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My husband and one of my sons are contractors for the Department of Defense. Another son is in the US Army.

Education Level

Studied Music Therapy at Eastern New Mexico University, did not complete due to an injury. Certified Nurse Aide.

Occupation, including employer and years of experience

Account Management Director, Walk Global LLC, 3 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None

Campaign website

https://www.facebook.com/MargieLucasFCPS/

Why are you seeking elective office?

It is my goal to ensure that every child in our community has access to an exceptional education. Less than 10 years ago, James Monroe High School was ranked 40th in the state. I am confident that we can be there again – and even better. I am dedicated to working to address the challenges our schools face. We need to provide a safe environment for our students, and cultivate academic excellence that will prepare our youth for a bright and promising future.

My husband and I have lived in Fredericksburg since 2002 and we have been blessed with five children. Four have graduated from James Monroe High School, attending K-12. Our youngest is graduating from another local high school because we, as parents, recognized the school system was no longer at the standards it once was. We realized that it would take several years for the quality to improve and we just didn't have that time to wait.

I have three core principles: faith, family, and serving others. These guiding principles have not only influenced my personal journey but have also driven me to seek this important role. I believe that our community's future lies in the hands of our youth, and their education is the center of that future.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Accountability. It means “responsibility for the fulfillment of obligations and the obligation to bear the consequences for failure to perform as expected.” Accountability applies to students, parents, teachers, administrators, superintendents, the school board, and the voters.

For students and parents, accountability involves signing a code-of-conduct agreement with teachers. Parents reinforce learning habits at home and students attend school and complete assignments. Teacher accountability hinges on having clear policies, robust support, and effective oversight from the administration. Administrator accountability depends on a vigilant superintendent who can make tough decisions and adjust the course when needed. Superintendent accountability relies on the presence of diverse and constructive voices on the school board, ensuring that concerns from our community are heard and addressed.

The school board is accountable to an informed public. Your vote empowers you to choose board members who will hold the superintendent accountable for the entire system. Ultimately, accountability rests with the voters in this election.

The pandemic was an unprecedented event and I do not fault the school board for their handling of it. However, it is evident that the most significant impact on our students came not from the disease itself but from the measures taken in response. The lockdowns and mandatory masking had a severe and lasting effect on the cognitive, social, and emotional development of many children. These effects will last for years, if not lifetimes. We should learn from that experience and not repeat it. A positive outcome of the pandemic was the establishment of remote learning infrastructure, enabling students to continue their education while they recuperate at home.

I advocate for informed choices and collaboration between parents, educators, and healthcare professionals to ensure the well-being of our students while respecting individual rights and decisions. This includes educating both parents and students on essential topics such as proper nutrition, regular exercise, and making healthy lifestyle choices. By empowering our community with knowledge, we can strengthen their natural defenses and immune systems.

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

My status as an independent, non-partisan candidate is the critical distinction in this race. I want to emphasize that I have not sought endorsements from any political party. I am dedicated to representing all members of our community, ensuring their voices are heard and their concerns are addressed, free from the influence of any party's agenda. Until recently, local elections were non-partisan and the community would be better served if we returned to that tradition.

Another difference is that my primary goal as a candidate is to provide essential oversight and constructive feedback to our school system in order to improve education, without any social agendas. School board policies should be centered around education and be designed to support and empower our dedicated professionals to deliver high-quality education to our students

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

I have no personal grievances against the incumbent. I disagree with his approach to minimize the significance of recent SOL scores by simply highlighting the successes of a select few students. That appears to be more of a public relations campaign rather than a meaningful effort to address the core issues facing our district.

Many community members have shared their frustrations regarding the lack of transparency and engagement in the decision-making process. It is disheartening for our community to learn about important school decisions only after they have already been made. The school board must provide advanced notice for public commentary before decisions are set in stone. Such transparency would enable the public to better understand the choices being made by the school board.

It's important that we value and respect the courageous citizens who attend our meetings to publicly express their concerns, even when it means being recorded and broadcast on television. Presently, it seems that public comments often fall into a void with little to no follow-up or response from the school board. I firmly believe that it is our duty to ensure that the voices of our community members are not merely heard but also addressed in a substantive and meaningful manner.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Recently, our classrooms have seen the introduction of complex social issues such as racism, gender identity, and environmental concerns. While these are important topics, it is crucial that our curriculum remains age-appropriate. Our children should not be overwhelmed with these concepts, before they have a solid foundation in the fundamentals of reading, writing, and mathematics. We should emphasize the importance of a well-balanced learning foundation. Some will ask, “Who decides what is age appropriate?” The answer is simple: parents decide what is appropriate for their children, and they sign a permission form before the topic is introduced into the curriculum.

Every student should have the opportunity to thrive in a safe and inclusive educational environment. Parents play a vital role in their child's education, especially when it comes to identifying and addressing behavioral or emotional challenges. They should be encouraged to reach out to the school, where a team of dedicated professionals stands ready to provide assistance and support. Bullying and discipline are issues that concern many parents and educators alike. While there are existing policies in place to address these matters, it is essential that they are consistently and fairly enforced by the administration. In unique situations, appropriate external authorities can be involved as necessary.

Our English Language Learners and Special Needs students deserve innovative teaching methods and robust support systems. When non-English-speaking students and their families join our school system, it is imperative that we offer effective transition classes and promote active parent participation to ensure their successful integration.

Most parents, regardless of their political affiliations, are in agreement with these common-sense policies. Concerned parents need not fear social backlash for expressing their views; instead, they can simply cast their vote for the candidate who shares their values and priorities. Together, we can create a positive and inclusive environment that focuses on education, for all our students

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

As a parent of five children, I have been involved with the school system for the past twenty years. I was a stay at home mother for most of their youth, supplementing income with child care and private duty in home health care. This afforded me time to volunteer in an array of school committees, coached clubs, organize events, and support our schools. This hands-on involvement has allowed me to understand the issues facing our students, teachers, and parents.

I have been President of my neighborhood Homeowners Association, interacting with residents and local government, and maintaining fiduciary responsibilities. I have learned to listen and formulate solutions for the betterment of others. This experience has taught me the importance of effective communication, sound fiscal management, and the ability to bridge gaps between different stakeholders.

In addition to my community involvement, I have worked as an in-home healthcare provider, caring for disabled children, injured adults, and the elderly. This role has further developed my skills in empathy, patience, and understanding the unique needs of individuals from all walks of life.

I have served on multiple medical mission trips to El Salvador and I am planning my first trip to Guatemala next year. On these trips, I am part of a team assisting local doctors and dentists providing much-needed medical care to underserved communities. These experiences have reinforced my belief that despite differences in politics, religion, language, culture, or socio-economic status, people can unite as a community to enhance the well-being of all individuals.

Professionally, I work for a leading international packaging solutions company where I play a pivotal role in facilitating the transportation of goods across international borders. My responsibilities include maintaining effective communication with vendors from all around the world.

I believe that my deep commitment to our community, combined with my skills and experiences, make me a strong candidate to advocate for our students and their families.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Balance is the key to living. Too much of any one thing leads to all other things being ignored.

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

Raising our kids in Fredericksburg was one of the most rewarding decisions my family ever made. Our town is steeped in history and overflowing with warmth and community spirit. I believe that it's essential for us to forge our own path rather than simply following policies from larger counties like Fairfax and Loudon. I am dedicated to preserving the close-knit atmosphere of our town and ensuring that every citizen's voice is not just heard but valued.