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Valerie Boone Fields

Tell the voters a little about yourself. (Where are you from, family, work, hobbies, etc.)

I am a native of Suffolk, born, raised, and educated in the City of Suffolk. My family lived in the Lloyd Place section of Suffolk until we moved to East Suffolk Gardens where my mother continues to reside in the family home.

As a licensed teacher, I worked as a classroom teacher in Suffolk Public School System for the past twenty-five year, retiring in July 2022.

I am passionate about Real Estate. I am a Licensed Real Estate Agent in the state Virginia. I enjoy involvement with all things Real Estate.

What made you decide you were interested in serving as a member of the SPS school board?

My interest in serving as a SPS School Board member derives from my insatiable desire to strive for excellence in education, my desire to celebrate diversity, and my staunch commitment to students, staff, and the school community. As a School Board member, I desire to represent the educational and administrative voices of constituents of the Nansemond Borough. As a retired teacher, I desire to represent to the School Board, the concerns of students, parents, teachers, and the school community. My ultimate desire is to contribute to the School Board’s ongoing efforts to build a strong collaboration between the School System, community, and stakeholders.

What do you see as the board’s roles and responsibilities?

I see the role and responsibilities of the School Board, primarily. as an entity that promotes and safeguards student achievement. School Boards work within the mandates of the State Board of Education and the General Assembly to develop and implement policy that will best meet the vision, mission, and goals of the local school district. 

The role of the school board is to function effectively as a collaborative body that establishes policy that align with the priorities of the district and promote student achievement. 

How would you describe an effective school board member?

An effective school board member is one who believes in public schools and who: *is willing to devote the necessary time and personal talents to the work of the board; 

• adopts the vision of the district, studies the issues, monitors progress, and makes data driven decisions; 
• has the ability to listen to the concerns of constituents in a manner that lets them know they are heard; 
• is willing and able to network and build positive relationships throughout the district; 
• is able to be an advocate for students and employees;
• understands how to work with a team, actively listening to all opinions, leading with kindness, and modeling emotional intelligence. 

How will you engage the community to improve public schools in the SPS Division?

I will engage the community to improve public schools in the SPS division by being present, available, honest and transparent. I pledge to serve the board and the community in humility, a collaborative spirit, and a leadership style that is focused and intentional. 

What in your background leads you to believe that you would be an effective school board member?

I believe myself to have the qualities of an effective school board member because I have studied accomplishments of the board and I believe that I can add value to their current efforts. 

 In your opinion, what are the most important issues facing Suffolk Public Schools?

In my opinion, the most important issues facing Suffolk Public Schools are funding for fiscal and capital operations and attracting and retaining qualified teachers. 

There is a need to replace some old schools. We need to remove trailers (mobile units). Students need clean, healthy, well built and safe places in which to study. Teachers devote their lives to their classrooms and students. 

Compensation, unrealistic expectations, work-life balance, leadership and workplace flexibility are a few possible barriers to teacher recruitment and retention. 

What are the educational gaps or weaknesses in your district?

SOL Pass rates for economically disadvantaged, English learners, and students with disabilities. 

What are the educational strengths in your district?

The strengths in the district are that for the year 2023 all Suffolk Public Schools were accredited! Suffolk Public Schools had over one thousand graduate/ completer students. In 2024 students were awarded 46. 7 million in scholarships and grants. 

What is something voters may not know about you that you would like them to Know?

I would like voters to know that, as a lifelong learner, I believe it is my high calling to serve my community in a manner that will promote excellence in education on a global level. 

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James Shores

Tell the voters a little about yourself. (Where are you from, family, work, hobbies, etc.)

• Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, and raised in Newark, Delaware.  Suffolk resident since 2006.
• Father and Mother veterans (USMC and USN, respectively).  Both were assembly line workers and UAW members at the Newark Chrysler Assembly Plant. 
• Two sons, now 15 and 16, that attend Nansemond River HS engineering program, and Kings Fork HS International Baccalaureate (IB) program, respectively.
• Retired LtCol USMC.
• Employed as a government civilian in support of the Department of Defense.
• Hobbies, when time allows, include hiking, camping, boating, snow skiing, and occasionally guitar.

What made you decide you were interested in serving as a member of the SPS school board?

• My two sons have excelled in Suffolk School system, it is time to give back.
• Believe in Parent’s rights; retaining lead on how their children are educated.
• Bring back confidence in parents for their public schools; stop exodus to home and private schooling.
• Supporting teachers and staff; increasing morale and retention; attracting the best teachers to our schools.

What do you see as the board’s roles and responsibilities? 

As a law school graduate with extensive policy development experience supporting the Department of Defense, I consider those duties, roles and responsibilities established by law to be foundational.  Further, that policy created should never infringe on those duties and powers.   I believe any candidate should be well versed in VA Code: § 22.1-79. Powers and duties. 

How would you describe an effective school board member?

A team player that recognizes collective oversight and efforts for improvement are for the benefit of the entire Suffolk Public School system; while also being a champion for parents within in Nansemond Borough that have concerns on their children’s education.

How will you engage the community to improve public schools in the SPS division?

• Use a combination of social media outreach, participation in Suffolk events and “town halls’ for opportunities to talk with parents, teachers, and staff on concerns.
• I am also interested in supporting programs that assist parents in getting more involved in their children’s education.  I personally believe when parents are more involved, there is a significant reduction in discipline and behavior issues that distract from classroom focus.
• Suffolk Schools have a very good notification system for school activities.  I am not completely sold it is being used fully to better assist parents in participating in boards, and sub-committees.

What in your background leads you to believe that you would be an effective school board member?  

I have extensive experience in disciplined education and training in programs requiring the highest of academic rigor: 

• Instructor, Officer Candidate School, Marine Corps, Quantico.
• Naval flight Instructor, trained Navy, USMC, USCG and international partner pilot candidates; Director of Training, Senior Marine. Pensacola.
• Developed the Cyber Law curriculum for National Guard Judge Advocate Generals (JAGS) for the National Guard Bureau. Arlington.
• A deployable analyst trainer for operational law, Joint Staff, training Staff Judge Advocate staff of Combatant Commands and Joint Task Forces.  This also included facilitating operational law and authorities’ courses for general and flag officers.

In your opinion, what are the most important issues facing Suffolk Public Schools?

• Parent confidence in our public schools.  Exodus to home and private schooling.
• Teacher morale and retention.  Only 52 of surveyed teachers saying there is high morale is unacceptable.
• Demographics.  Northeast Suffolk is experiencing a boom in population.  Our High Schools are already at maximum capacity.  If budgets are not aligned to stay ahead of the growing school age population, over-crowding will have negative effect on education quality and teacher to student ratios.

What are the educational gaps or weaknesses in your district?

Based on “Public School Review” statistics, Suffolk public schools have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the Virginia public school average of 54%), and reading proficiency score of 69% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Suffolk have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Virginia public schools.  This is unacceptable, and is why parents are pulling their children out for private and homeschooling.   

I believe this can be corrected by focusing curriculum on what will make the children most competitive for acceptance into the best colleges and trade schools available.

What are the educational strengths in your district?   

I’m impressed with the mission and goals of “Destination 2028; 2023-2028 Strategic Plan.”  It is well written, and give credit to Dr. Gordon and his staff for having such a well thought out strategic plan.  Two things I would like to improve upon: (1) Detailing the metrics that quantifiably measure progress towards goals, and where stagnating, identifying early need to adjust lines of effort; and (2), more emphasis on academic achievement and the merit of academic rigor. 

What is something voters may not know about you that you would like them to know? 

I am a Regent School of Law graduate (2014)

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