My name is Nancy Linton and I am a candidate for School Board in the Hunter Mill district. 

Candidate Pat Hynes said in a July 29 letter to Reston Patch “that she is confident that the next school board will quickly craft a clear parental notice provision that gives the parents the comfort they seek and empowers principals to keep our schools safe.” 

This can only happen if candidates who support parental notification are elected to the School Board in November. 

At the June 9, 2011 School Board meeting, several board members proposed adding policy language in which the school would make an effort to contact the parents or guardians at the earliest opportunity regarding student disciplinary action.  There was great support from the public for early notification.  The motion failed with a 5 to 7 vote.

[Current Hunter Mill school board rep] Stuart Gibson, who recruited and supports Pat Hynes, was one of the board members who voted AGAINST parental notification.  That's why we need strong leadership in Hunter Mill who will see the job gets done for students, parents and taxpayers. I am that candidate.

 As School Board members Tina Hone and Patty Reed both pointed out at the July 28 school board meeting, too many school board members already feel they have wrapped up the discipline reform issue. If I am elected to the School Board, I will make resolving these issues a very high priority.  

As a Licensed Professional Counselor for the past 15 years, I have worked with hundreds of families experiencing crises. I have offered hope and restoration for many hopeless and suicidal individuals. I have worked as a counselor in an alternative school helping students overcome obstacles to learning, identify their strengths and set goals for their future.  I have also counseled young adults who had been convicted of DWIs.  I helped them move past being identified by their mistakes and regain a sense of purpose and value.  

School counselors play a large role in supporting students who are at risk or who have been disciplined or suspended.  They have been trained to help adolescents overcome emotional and academic struggles.  They can also assess when a student needs more intensive counseling or academic support and recommend resources in the community.  

Keeping schools safe while offering academic and emotional support to disciplined students is a complex issue.  I have the experience to provide strong leadership as the School Board works to resolve this concern.

Nancy Linton

School Board Candidate-Hunter Mill District