Local Scientist Announces Bid For Prince William County School Board

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — A local infectious disease scientist, Julia Biggins, has announced her campaign for the at-large chairman's seat on the Prince William County School Board. The position is currently held by Babur Lateef, who plans to seek reelection in 2023.

Biggins is currently a lead biotechnologist at MITRE, a non-profit research and consulting firm. She was previously a candidate for congress in 2018, when she unsuccessfully ran for the seat representing Virginia's 10th district.

In a video announcing her campaign, Biggins took aim at Lateef, claiming that he had no interest in further developing the county's education system. "Many of the issues that were present in our schools prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as equitable education, class size, teacher pay, and mental health needs, were only exacerbated by the pandemic, which has led to a critical juncture for public education," Biggins said. "We must do better for our entire educational community, our students, our teachers, and our support staff."

Biggins believes that the school system needs "full changes" to improve the quality of education for students.

"The current school board chairman is not willing to make these changes, but I am," Biggins said.

In her video, Biggins noted that she is a Coles District resident with four children in the Prince William County Schools system. Biggins said she would focus her campaign on three issues: ensuring high quality education for students, treating teachers fairly, and improving the infrastructure of schools.

Biggins plans to host conversations with students, parents, and staff members to hear how community members would improve the school system.