Attend the school board candidates forum Feb. 3

The first candidates forum for the Mason District seat on the Fairfax County School Board will be Wednesday, Feb. 3, 6:45-8 p.m. at Bren Mar Park Elementary School, 6344 Beryl Road in Alexandria. A special election for the school board will be held March 2.

The candidates are Sandy Evans, a longtime school advocate, and Samantha Rucker, an assistant attorney general in the Virginia Office of the Attorney General. School board elections are ostensibly nonpartisan, but Evans was endorsed by the Fairfax County Democratic Committee, and Rucker has the Republican endorsement.

All Mason District voters are encouraged to attend. Good schools are important for everyone, not just parents. Having a high-quality school in your neighborhood has a positive impact on home values, and we should all be concerned about ensuring that the children in school now will one day become well-educated, productive citizens equipped to take on the major challenges facing the next generation.

This is the only election on the March 2 ballot, so turnout will be crucial. If you are going to be out of town, you can request an absentee ballot.