One School Board seat, six candidates
The six Culpeper County School Board candidates vying for the vacant West Fairfax District seat include a youth ministry volunteer, a retired U.S. Army command sergeant major, an engineering manager, a retired engineering process and tools manager, an attorney and a farmer.
The candidates, who all live in the West Fairfax District, include: Jennifer Barbee, Jerry Beckett, John Rick Boswell, John Cerio, Monica Chernin and Robert Houck.The School Board will hold a special meeting July 20 at Central Office, 450 Radio Lane, to view applications and appoint a representative to fill the position until Dec. 31.
A special election will be held Nov. 3 to determine who will represent West Fairfax during the remaining two years of the term.
Candidates have until Aug. 21 to file with the Culpeper County Registrar’s office to be considered for the special November election.
Jimmy Lee announced his mid-term resignation during a School Board meeting in May. Lee’s term began January 2008 and was to conclude on Dec. 31, 2011.
Here’s a brief look at each candidate:
Jennifer Barbee
Age: 41
Family: Married to Willie; they have three children attending CCPS: Cheyennae, Danae and Jonathan
Education: Master’s degree in religious arts, leadership and organization from Logos Christian College and Graduate School in Jacksonville, Fla.; bachelor’s degree in science, biomedical engineering from Milwaukee School of Engineering and an associate’s degree in electronics technology with honors from Elgin Community College in Elgin, Ill.
Employment: Church administrator/youth director and volunteer for the New Life Anointed Ministries West and CEO/executive director for Young People Offering Up Themelves to Him Inc.
Why are you interested in serving on the School Board?
“I am very interested in serving because as a parent of three children in all three levels of education within the Culpeper County Public School System, I would like to be an integral part of seeing the mission, vision, beliefs, core values and goals of the Culpeper County School Board realized for every student in the system. As a parent, I want help (to) ensure that our School Board is not one that just hears what the parent has to say, but truly partners with them; to help their children not just graduate or pass to the next level, but achieve and excel.”
Jerry Beckett
Age: 65
Family: Married to Chieu-My; they have four daughters: Linh-My, Michele, Janine and Jennifer
Education: Earned an associate’s degree from El Paso Community College; attended California Southern Law School; and the National Veterans Training Institute
Employment: Retired command sergeant major for the U.S. Army, serving five tours in Vietnam as a light weapons infantry adviser; worker’s compensation specialist for the state of California Employment Development Department; department veterans outreach program representative
Why are you interested in serving on the School Board?
“As a concerned citizen, I am always interested in serving the local community in whatever capacity that enhances our community. I would like to be considered for the temporary appointment to our local School Board to again volunteer my services.”
John Rick Boswell
Age: 41
Family: Married to Holly; they have three children: Reed, Anna and Sam
Education: Master’s degree in telecommunications management from Keller Graduate School; master’s certificate in project management from Villanova University; and a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from N.C. State
Employment: Engineering manager for Verizon in Culpeper
Why are you interested in serving on the School Board?
“As a parent, I realize how critical it is for children to have the best environment to learn. My business and community experience will benefit me on the School Board during these tight budgetary times. I am a hands-on person who does not like to sit back and complain and I like to get involved in the decision-making processes. I believe that with the addition of the new superintendent (Bobbi Johnson), this is a critical time for the School Board to work together with her to develop the best possible situation for our children to learn. A great public school system is not only crucial to the well being and future of our children, but it also affects so many other parts of our community, such as community values, employment, economic development and cultural enhancement.”
John Cerio
Age: 67
Family: Married to Kathy; they have two children and three grandchildren
Education: Attended Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, N.Y.
Employment: Retired manager for Raytheon and GE with 25 years of management experience and 40 years overall
Why are you interested in serving on the School Board?
“I am interested in serving on the School Board in order to help advance the education level of students in Culpeper. I believe we need (to) continue to confirm realistic budgets that ensure every school receives the appropriate assets, and provides proper compensation for all teachers.”
Monica Chernin
Age: 56
Family: Single parent of three grown children who attended and graduated from CCPS
Education: Earned a law degree from Washington and Lee University; master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Cornell University and a bachelor’s in literature and composition from Ithaca College.
Employment: Owns and manages a family and juvenile law office in Culpeper
Why are you interested in serving on the School Board?
“As a result of my professional work, my commitment to public service, and my interaction with the community at large, I believe I have a good sense of what drives this community and what impacts it as well.”
Robert ‘Bob’ Houck
Age: 61
Family: Married to Shirley
Education: Virginia State graduate classes in math education; earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Virginia Tech in 1969; associate’s degree in business from Bluefield College in 1967 and graduated from CCHS in 1965
Employment: Owner/operator of Shirob Farm, a beef cow/calf operation in Stevensburg; retired from Warrenton Farm Credit in 1998; vice president of finance
Why are you interested in serving on the School Board?
“This would be an opportunity for me to give service to Culpeper County and the residents of West Fairfax District. I strongly believe in public education and the importance of providing the best educational opportunities to the youth of Culpeper County. I believe that my business and civic experience and long residence in Culpeper County provide the necessary background for this position. I do not bring any agenda to this position except to provide the best educational opportunities for the students.”
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
“People have seen enough of the “yuppies”, and their liberial, northern virginia approach”- What does this mean? You sound like a rube. Have you been watching too much Fox news? Fairfax and Loudon counties specifically have some of the top ranked schools in the nation. I’d love to see Culpeper schools even in the same ballpark.
Look cs2020 it’s like this. I do everything by the book with decisions made professionally. I am looked at by my superiors as a wealth of information when it comes to illegal immigration and what we can and can’t do locally. Good sound judgement must be used when it comes to not only illegal immigration issues but any other issue that may arise in law enforcement.
When you work for the people they expect this from you. Personal opinions must be kept aside and I do such. Laws are laws and they must be enforced by the law. There are no exceptions. Illegal immigration makes no exceptions.
Yes rjma I am aware of this law. I am sure that you would agree that if I posted things like illegals had no rights and that the constitution did not include them I’d be in violation of it. I don’t expect everyone to agree with what I say but the law is the law and I can assure everyone thayt I will not only enforce it as it is written but will also see to it that my personnel do the same.
I am far from being a coward. I don’t find it being cowardly to stand up and see to it that our law enforcement officers to include me don’t overstep their boundaries and violate the law themselves. When they do they not only will be held accountable but they become law breakers themselves.
CS2020 writes: “I can’t imagine a Chief or Sheriff supporting your use of time in that manner, or your thoughts on ILLEGAL immigration”
You may be onto something. There is a section of the VA code dealing with all peace officers of the state and their thoughts. Under 18-2.41 “all peace officers (state or local) shall at all times (on and off duty) maintain thoughts that comply with conventional thinking of all issues. Errant thoughts (as judged by direct supervisors are cause for reprimand, suspension from duty, or immediate dismissal.“
I’m not sure Lawman was aware of this. He probably owes you a debt of gratitude for bringing it up. I’m sure he values his job and will be more careful with his thoughts from now on.
I post on my own time as previously stated cs2020 so move on and grow up.
I am far from liberal. I follow the rule of law, not some ignorant person who wants me to do something that is prohibited like violating a person’s rights. It is you that pretends to believe that you know the law. I on the other hand know it and know it well. People like you and your words make Culpeper dangerous, not me.
You want to talk about behavior and children in our schools? How about it all starts at home with the parents. It’s funny how you change your tune from illegal to behavior of kids when confronted with intelligence.
(Lawman) If you knew all that you pretend to know about the law and Culpeper you would be dangerous. Your writing is liberial and cowardly. If you are in law enforcement hope you are not posting during your work time. I can’t imagine a Chief or Sheriff supporting your use of time in that manner, or your thoughts on ILLEGAL immigration. Some Law Officer is you are one?
You are a piece of work cs2020. I’d like for you to first cite the law you are referring to and then explain how and when it applies to include if it’s on the books in the commonwealth. I am always eager to learn unlike some.
I am required to identify myself, give my badge number and supervisors number to a citizen when requested while on duty in uniform. Do you think I have to give that to you online? Dream on. I write as a private citizen and don’t have to give you squat. I don’t see where anyone writing online expressing their free speech has to identify themselves. You won’t get mine and my department already has turned a few away who have called on me to complain. I too have rights that won’t be interfered with.
You are a know it all cs2020. You won’t accept the truth so you want to find out who everyone is so that you can go at them another way. Keep dreaming.
On Beckett. We don’t need him. I have seen enough of his behavior at our town meetings. He is one sided. Do you think that he or anyone on the school board has special rights to get citizenship status on any student? Wrong. The school board must follow the law. Schools don’t ask citizenship status. You have been told enough times about the law but whether or not you choose to comprehend it is purely up to you.
(brian) Possibly in the future a county wide referrendum will indicate exactly how people feel on the issue of illegal aliens? Our schools, like most schools throuhout America need discipline and expectation to return. Kids are not being required to act in an acceptable manner, a strong school board can require administrations to deal with chronic discipline problems more swiftly so that teachers can teach and those who wish to learn can. Old saying, “one bad apple can spoil the bunch.“ Get back to behave or go home.
My understanding of your local election process is surely off. Not a big issue.
cs2020 I am not required to give you anything on an online post. My statements on illegal immigration stay the same. Ignorance is what it is. It neither helps or makes the issue any better than what it already is. Like I said this is a place where you obviously find comfort to vent out your frustrations. Freedom of speech is a wonderful thing. I wouldn’t dream of denying that to anyone.
As to who I am and where I practice will be kept out of the conversation. Stick to the issues at hand and quit trying to sidetrack. I don’t need to know who anyone is other than their screen provided name. Same should go for you.
I am encouraged that six citizens have the interest and commitment to submit their names for consideration in West Fairafx. That is a big change from te recent past. Knowing Bob Houck and Rick Boswell personnally, they are both well qualified for this responsibilty and would be constructive members of the School Board.
(Brian) The election for the West Fairfax Disrict would be for the town district. The county voters would not vote on the representative for the west fairfax district. If you are an attorney, then by law you are familiar with the fact that when asked to provide your law license id you must do so. Your being asked.
Advertisement