Countryside resident John Andrews had his paperwork filed and the signatures he needed by the Board of Elections’ June 10 deadline but not a final decision until that evening.
"I’m going to do it. I’m going to run for reelection," said Andrews (Broad Run) as he made his announcement during the School Board meeting. On May 31, he had not received the Republican Party’s endorsement for the Board of Supervisors’ Potomac seat, which he sought believing he could do more for his constituents than he could as a School Board member.
Andrews wanted to join the Board of Supervisors "to address more issues having to do with schools, implementation of policies of the General Plan and … controlling the purse strings," he said. As for the School Board, "I am hoping to address some of the issues that are driving up school costs. I’ve been outspoken on budget issues. Whether it’s not supporting building two high schools or the school administration building, I have always made budget issues one of my priorities."
Andrews’ announcement means that the majority, or five of nine School Board members are seeking reelection, including Tom Reed (At large), Robert DuPree (Dulles), Warren Geurin (Sterling) and Candyce Cassell (Sugarland Run).
The incumbent members can bring experience, institutional knowledge and consistency to the board, said Andrews, a first-term School Board member and vice-chairman of the board for the last two years. He originally ran in response to the rate of growth in new school construction and the number of boundary changes growth brings, wanting to bring his experience in construction to the position. For the past 15 years, he has owned a general construction contracting and property management company in Ashburn.
Andrews’ announcement was "a pleasant surprise" for chairman Joseph Vogric (Dulles). "Although I don’t always agree with John and his line of thinking, he does a good job doing his homework and understanding issues. He’s always looking at the data and the facts," he said.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, the School Board:
* Approved seeking $34.13 million in funding to construct two elementary schools in Leesburg and the Belmont Country Club development for a 2005 opening, along with purchasing land for an undesignated high school.
* Heard a report on the annual consolidated grant application for the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The school district is required to submit the application for about $1.79 million in funds for the Title I, II, III, and V programs, funds that provide less than 2 percent of the district’s total budget. The Title 1 funds will be provided for 17 elementary schools based on enrollment and the percentage of students in the free and reduced lunch program.
"The state notified us we should expect to receive the same amount as last year," said Preston Coppels, director of instructional services.