Warren County School Board Urged to Rejoin the Virginia School Board Association

An Open Letter to the WC School Board

Dear Warren County School Board Members,

It is my understanding that the Warren County School Board (WCSB), after dissolving its relationship with the Virginia School Board Association (VSBA), may contract with the School Board Member Association (SBMA), a recently created alliance whose stated mission is to support “traditional academics” and “educational freedom”. But as explored below, exactly what does that mean?

This letter has two asks: (1) that you reject SBMA and (2) that you rejoin VSBA.

Why rejoin VSBA?

VSBA, in contrast to SBMA, has advocacy for pro-public schools as one of its main goals. As legislative chair for retired public teacher associations in nine counties, I closely follow education legislation enacted by the General Assembly and monitor groups that lobby for excellence in public schools.

VSBA’s advocacy this year has resulted in $2.5 billion in new funding for K-12 education for FY-2024 through FY-2026. VSBA lobbied for the passage of 30 education bills that may directly and positively impact the lives of Warren County students. For example, beginning next school year, students in Grades 9-12 are to learn about the risks to health and safety posed by opioids. They will learn how to administer medication to reverse an overdose, and public school nurses must be trained in this procedure with the now-mandated school supply of naloxone.

Why reject SBMA?

By signing onto SBMA, WCSB members must pledge to align themselves with all aspects of SBMA’s mission statement. Here are two of them:

SBMA wants “traditional academics” to be the primary focus in Virginia’s K-12 education system. That term may be misleading. It may be a cover-up for a pedagogy that was abandoned long ago: student rote learning versus the newer methodology of student/group hands-on activities; siloed subjects versus integrated, interdisciplinary subjects; a single unified curriculum for all students versus student choice of different kinds of classes. Moreover, traditional academics may offer no accommodations for special-needs students and no utilization of lesson plans based on student interests and learning styles.

SBMA wants “educational freedom” for Virginia families. That term may be misleading. It may be a cover-up for promoting educational institutions other than those of public schools. I could not find “public school” in SBMA’s literature. However, VSBA, in contrast to SBMA, aims to advocate effectively for Virginia’s public schools and before all levels of government.

In light of the above, I urge Warren County School Board members to reject SBMA and rejoin VSBA.

Sincerely yours,

Jeanne Trabulsi
Front Royal, VA

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