Nelson County resident Joe Kennedy is running for the East District seat on the county school board.
Kennedy is the only candidate to file paperwork by the June 18 deadline and is certified on the ballot in the Nov. 4 election, according to the Nelson County Registrar’s Office. Incumbent George Cheape has represented the seat since January 2019 when he was appointed to fill a vacancy.
Kennedy said he is running to join the Nelson County School Board for the opportunity to publicly advocate for the best interests of students and Nelson County Public Schools.
“I want to directly engage with parents and school administration to understand and communicate the range of needs or issues that both sides may have,” Kennedy said. “My hope is that trust in the schools can be bolstered, student enrollment and engagement can increase, and that NCPS can grow, not shrink.”
He said he has five children who attend Rockfish River Elementary School from prekindergarten through fifth grade.
“My primary hope is to advance relationship and trust building between NCPS and the community of young families in our county,” Kennedy said. “Many parents my age are avoiding the school system, and I want to reverse that trend. To help advance that, I will advocate for healthier lunch and snack options for students: more fresh food, less candy; more whole milk, less sweetened chocolate milk.”
Describing himself as a young parent, Kennedy said he wants voters to know he has a genuine desire to see the school community thrive.
“I will have a child in NCPS for most of the next two decades, and I expect growth and greatness from my family and community,” he said.
The first day of the 2025-26 school year is next Tuesday.
Source: www.dailyprogress.com
Be First to Comment