Herb Smith runs for school board

Former special education teacher and political activist Herb Smith has announced his candidacy for the Mason District seat on the Fairfax County school board held by Kaye Kory, who was recently elected to the Virginia House of Delegates. It has not yet been determined when that special election will occur.

Smith was a field organizer with the Obama campaign. He traveled the country training volunteers, organizing meetings, and registering voters then worked in the campaign office in Falls Church. He wants to bring the same type of enthusiasm that swept Obama into the White House to his campaign to get voters to focus on the needs of public education.

With Fairfax County Public Schools facing an extremely difficult budget battle, Smith vows to fight hard for more school funding and oppose cuts in crucial programs and services. “During financially difficult times, the last thing we want to do is take funding from our school systems,” Smith says.

“We have an exceptional school system and must continue to maintain that image by keeping our high standards,” he says. “We must not let our children down when it comes to the value of an education, regardless of the economy. Fairfax County Public Schools should always be known as being the best all around, and that’s what I plan to focus on by adapting our school system to its diverse community and a new way of thinking during tough times.”