Nelson County, Central District voters in November 2025 will elect a representative to serve four-year terms on the five-member School Board — the county’s key policymaking body responsible for setting educational policy, approving the school division’s budget, hiring and evaluating the superintendent, and overseeing student support and school performance. These nonpartisan, district-based elections directly influence how local schools are governed and resourced, touching on staffing, curriculum, equity, and educational outcomes for all district students. Voter participation is vital, as School Board decisions shape the quality and future of education in Nelson County.
Campaign Phone
434-465-0051
Biography
Nelson resident for the past 13 years. My background includes 34 years as a pediatrician, 28 years of service in the Army followed by tenures in public health, as a vaccinologist and extensive local volunteerism. Service to Nelson County: Wintergreen rescue squad 12+ years, helped organize and execute the Nelson County COVID vaccination clinics, Nelson County Community Paramedicine Program, Board member of the Blue Ridge Medical Center and Wintergreen Rescue Squad and serve as your local Medical Examiner. 3 University faculty appointments. Administrative experience includes several military command positions, deployment to Afghanistan- leading public health personnel for U.S. forces, development and management of large programs with annual budgets of up to $140 million, and author of military and national policy. With upcoming federal cuts to education, it will be vital to have these skills to meet this challenge.
With Federal cuts potentially impacting school health services, behavioral health, language assistance and special education it will become vital to continue these services.
Federal cuts to nutrition/food support in our schools and communities represents a public health crisis. The superintendent has pledged that we will continue to feed our kids. It will require administrative flexibility and creativity to work in concert with the superintendent to meet this goal.
The current school administration has been successful in meeting this goal. The School Board in collaboration with the superintendent should actively approve and enforce current practices.
Nelson county student enrollment had decreased over the past few years and now is stable. New schools are not indicated at the current time, but maintaining and periodic renovations are needed. The School Board has been and should continue to provide budgetary support to meet this goal. A recent example is the renovation of the high school.
see above
• To ensure ALL Nelson County students are workforce and/or college ready – that they will exit high school with the tools needed to engage in post-secondary opportunities appropriate for their skills, interests, and abilities.
• To ensure a supportive climate for school staff, successful outcomes for ALL students, and a welcoming and productive system for the community it serves.
• To ensure that NCPS is the strongest, safest, most welcoming system possible for ALL Nelson County students, staff and families.
Candidate has not yet responded.
• ongoing targeted professional development opportunities, coaching and mentoring to prepare and support ALL teachers to manage the needs of ALL students
• data-based instructional decision making to appropriately deliver instruction to diverse learners
• a safe and supportive school environment for ALL NCPS staff and students
• a multi-faceted community-based approach to bullying, cyber bullying, sexual consent bullying, and substance abuse peer pressure
• relevant opportunities for engaging ALL parents and families
n/a
Currently a renovation project is underway at Nelson County High School, assuring state of the art facilities to promote student success.
