Five Minutes With Nancy Linton

Nancy Linton, a licensed counselor and past PTA president at Fox Mill Elementary in Herndon, is running as a Republican for the Fairfax County School Board's Hunter Mill District seat.

 Longtime Hunter Mill representativeAlso in the race: democrats and

Linton, 46, has a Bachelor's from Wake Forest University and a Master's in Counseling from the University of North Florida. She serves on the School Board’s Human Relations Advisory Committee.

Reston Patch spent a few minutes with Linton recently.

Reston Patch: Why do you want to run for school board?

Nancy Linton: This is a really critical time, with several existing school board members retiring and a new generation taking the helm. It is an important time for the issues.

I think there has been a breakdown in the trust between the community and the school board. I want to increase that trust.

RP: What are some of the issues that need attention?

NL: There is the [minority] achievement gap. FCPS has made a lot of strides but there is still a lot to be done. This is a critical issue in Hunter Mill because we are so diverse, both racially and socioeconomically. I am on the school board's human  relations committee, and we are helping the schools to communicate with and support parents. We are working with parent liaisons to reach out to parents, to make parents feel welcome at the school.

Class size is certainly a problem. Teachers say it is so hard to help students who need more help, and they can't always help children who more advanced, so they have to teach to the lowest common denominator. It is an ongoing challenge. We've got to hold class size where it is.

I will continue to fight for teacher pay. If they keep the tax rate where it currently is, there could be a surplus, which could help give the teachers raises they have not gotten for two years.

Bullying continues to be a problem. This is a national issue that is now getting attention, and that is important. It is also good that the I am a licensed counselor. I have worked at an alternative school and worked with suicidal kids. They need to know there is always hope. There needs to be discipline, but we also need to look at issues from a mental health perspective and do things differently.

RP: What are some of the issues in the Hunter Mill District in particular?

NL: I think the trust has been broken, especially through the redistricting process of a few years ago. I want to restore trust. We still have people who are upset about how it was handled.

I also think we should have AP classes at South Lakes that complement the IB program. I don't want to see IB weakened, but I would like to start a dialogue with SLHS parents.

RP: Are you a product of public schools?

NL: Actually, I went to private school, and that is one of the reasons I decided back in high school that I would like to be on the school board one day. My father was a public school teacher. He was underpaid. I decided back then that people should be paid well for teaching and parents shouldn't have to choose a private school if they want a good education for their kids.

Linton will kick off her campaign at an event on March 26. If you would like more information or want to be on her mailing list, send her an e-mail at nancy@nancylintonforschoolboard.org.