Candidate Profile: Ryan Kirkpatrick For Prince William School Board

I lead a research program for the federal government and have worked in research and development for 16 years.

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — Ryan Kirkpatrick is hoping to represent the Occoquan district on the Prince William County School Board.

In November's general election, Kirkpatrick is running against fellow Richard Jessie. The Occoquan school board seat is being vacated by Jessie's wife, Lillie Jessie.

Patch sent the following questionnaire to Ryan Kirkpatrick and Richard Jessie to help voters make informed choices when they cast their ballot on Election Day.

Name

Ryan Kirkpatrick

Age

36

Town of Residence?

Lake Ridge

Position sought:

PWC - Occoquan District School Board

Party affiliation

Independent

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

Married with young children, the oldest attends Old Bridge Elementary.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

I am a federal employee.

Education Level

Master's degree in civil engineering from Virginia Tech and a master's degree in economics from George Mason.

Occupation, including employer and years of experience

I lead a research program for the federal government and have worked in research and development for 16 years.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

[The candidate did not answer this question.]

Campaign website

www.ryanforpwcs.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I have one child in the public school system and have more children that will be entering it in the next few years. I am very concerned about the reduction in standards, declining outcomes, problems with teacher retention, and the lack of trust between parents and the school system. I have also taught at the university level and have seen firsthand the lack of preparation for higher education.

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

The single most pressing issue is the lack of disciplinary tools that teachers can use. Lack of discipline in classrooms leads to worse academic performance, poor teacher retention, and students not feeling safe in class. Once on the school board I will work with the superintendent and administrators to increase disciplinary standards and ensure that teachers are listened to and have what they need to maintain a positive learning environment in their classrooms.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to recent issues (i.e. the pandemic)? What if anything would you have done differently?

I don't fault anyone for their decisions early on in the pandemic when so much was unknown about the disease. It's good that PWCS returned to in person teaching in the fall of 2020. However, "orange day" remote learning should be completely done away with, regardless of if it is synchronous or asynchronous. It has been shown that it is nearly useless in teaching at the K-12 level. There are specific cases where remote learning can be effective, but it should be done away with as a blanket county-wide policy.

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

I have taught at the university level and I have young kids in the public school system.

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

One of the fundamental issues in the school system is the lack of trust between parents and the school board. Once on the school board, I will advocate for a policy of complete transparency between the school system and parents. No information about children should be deliberately hidden or concealed from their parents. Good academic outcomes requires trust and this is the first step to restoring trust in the school system.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Focus on the basics of reading, writing, and math, getting kids to school on time, maintain discipline in classrooms, and ensure transparency with parents.

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

I've served in official capacities before and have managed large budgets. I have worked in academia and understand many of the challenges facing the field and have a specific plan on how to address these problems.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Don't take criticism personally and don't dwell on mistakes.

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

I'm a Prince William County native and graduated from the public school system. I am also an Army veteran and a beekeeper with several hives in Haymarket.