In a volatile political environment School Board candidates vie for Warren County Republican Committee endorsement

At 6 p.m. Thursday, April 27, at the Warren County Community Center, the Warren County Republican Committee hosted a Candidates Forum for the three seats up for grabs this year on the Warren County School Board. Participating were current School Board Chairman and South River District representative, Kristen Pence, sitting North River District representative Melanie Salins, as well as Tom McFadden Jr. and Leslie Matthews.

Three perspectives of the candidates, from left, Melanie Salins, Leslie Matthews, Kristen Pence, and Tom McFadden Jr. – smile for the camera.

Matthews challenged Pence for the committee’s endorsement for the South River District seat and was successful in that challenge during a vote at Thursday evening’s committee meeting following the forum. Pence, who appears to have established a good working relationship with her school board colleagues, including committee member Salins, told Royal Examiner that she intends to run for re-election in November without the committee endorsement.

Salins was running unopposed for the North River Republican Committee endorsement, as was McFadden for the Shenandoah District seat being vacated by Ralph Rinaldi. Rinaldi, who was present observing the forum, has stated his intention to run for the Shenandoah District Board of Supervisors seat currently held by Walt Mabe. The Republican Committee will hold a “Firehouse Primary” between Rinaldi and John Stanmeyer on Friday, May 5, from 2-to-7 p.m. at the North Warren Company 10 Fire & Rescue headquarters. All registered voters in the Shenandoah District are eligible to vote in that primary.

After introductory remarks by each school board candidate Thursday evening, they responded to a series of questions submitted by the committee. One primary issue of concern that emerged early was how and by whom public school curriculums and policies should be established. Should local standards of personal belief and political opinion hold sway over state guidelines, including Virginia Department of Education standards established with input from public school systems statewide, and/or can the two be balanced to a positive end result??

See this question and others addressed in this exclusive Royal Examiner video of the Warren County Republican Committee School Board Candidates Forum: