Dedicating Thirty Hours a Week of Service to Mount Vernon

“He did good stuff,” said a wiggly Waynewood Elementary School kindergartner, when “Abe Lincoln” visited the day before his birthday and asked what the children knew about the nation’s 16^th president.

The five-year-old’s view of the real Abe Lincoln could also describe the area’s lookalike Abe Lincoln, Daniel Storck, Mount Vernon’s School Board member.

Dressed in a long coat with tails, a bow tie, and a top hat, Storck visited three local elementary schools as he’s done every year for 13 years around Lincoln’s birthday. This year, he read a story titled Abe Lincoln’s Hat by Martha Brenner. 

Visiting schools is just one example of how Storck spends up to 30 hours a week in public service.  He does lots of reading, answers emails and phone calls, and attends on average 20 meetings a month. 

“I love what I do,” he said recently.  “I wish my day job didn’t take so much time.”

Storck won his School Board seat in 2003 and was re-elected in 2007.  He is seeking his third term this year. 

He set a modern record by chairing the School Board for three consecutive terms until 2009.  He has also chaired several committees and currently chairs the Public Engagement Committee.

Among his priorities are after-school programs for middle school students.  Young teens are at risk of getting into trouble, becoming sexually active, and finding drugs, Storck explained. 

 “The alternative is there.  I’m very proud of these programs,” he said. 

He also emphasizes career technical education.  Fairfax schools have a strong record of preparing college-bound students, a thrust he “strongly supports,” but he stresses, “You don’t need a college diploma to have great job.” Today’s economy needs people skilled in auto mechanics, computer programming, medical-dental assistance, and communications.  He convinced the school system to pay for licensing exams, just as it pays for International Baccalaureate exams.

What are some of the challenges in Mount Vernon’s schools?

Fairfax County has one of the highest graduation rates in the state at 91 percent. At West Potomac High School, the graduation rate is 80 percent and at Mount Vernon, just below 80 percent.  The graduation rates “are not where they should be.”

“We have to find ways to challenge kids to do more than they think they can do,” commented Storck.

Mount Vernon has one of the highest populations of economically disadvantaged youngsters; these particular students take more resources and better skilled teachers. According to Storck, budget cuts in recent years have slowed its progress.  For example, the Excel Program was eliminated, but he “takes personal pride” in the Priority School Initiative which gives special help to disadvantaged students.

Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Storck has lived in the county since 1989.  His three children attended local schools. His wife, Deb, is a counselor at Hollin Meadows Elementary.

Before the School Board post, Storck was president of the West Potomac High School PTSA, a member of the Fairfax County Character Counts Task Force and a former Head Start administrator.   He coached youth basketball teams for over 15 years, was the former president of Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services and served on the Board of Directors of the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation.

He is partner and owner of National Integrated Health Associates, a holistic health care center in Washington, D.C.

Storck loves to backpack and schedules a two-week getaway every year to unwind.