Democrat joins race for Springfield District on county school board

Sandy Anderson, an educator, military spouse, and mother of two, will seek to represent the Springfield District on the Fairfax County School Board.

Announcing her candidacy on Friday (Mar. 3), Anderson is the only Democrat in the race so far and faces two Republican challengers. School board elections are nonpartisan, but candidates can get endorsements from political parties.

She said her top priorities are STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) education, students with military connections, and adequate funding for education.

A Fairfax County native, Anderson has experience teaching composition and technical writing at the college level and currently works with two Department of Defense youth programs. She also serves on the board of her local parent-teacher organization, with five years as its president.

In a release announcing her decision to run, Anderson said her work and life experience qualifies her for the seat.

“My experience lends itself to this work. This is my hometown, and I am ready to serve,” she said.

Regarding her priority of adequate funding, she told FFXnow that she is specifically concerned about the state’s handling of funds and the potential push toward school vouchers and charter schools.

“As funding from the state is called into question, the Fairfax County School Board needs to be ready to justify and maximize our public tax dollars for public education,” she said.

Anderson’s campaign website highlights the future landscape of work, saying that children will undoubtedly need to embrace STEAM education to be successful.

“The Fairfax County School Board needs members that have experience making STEAM education a reality,” the site reads. In addition, Anderson said students connected to the military deserve representation from someone with similar experiences.

If elected, Anderson would fill the seat being vacated by Laura Jane Cohen, who’s running for the House of Delegates in the newly created 15th district.

“I’m excited to work with Laura Jane in this new capacity and am so grateful to have her endorsement and full support on this journey,” Anderson said.

Republican candidates Debra Tisler and Dion Dixon are two of Anderson’s challengers.

According to her campaign site, Tisler is an educator, parent, and disabilities advocate. She says she’s running to ensure the voices of parents, children, taxpayers, and teachers are heard.

“Through my work with various organizations, parents, and advocates, I’ve been instrumental in safeguarding a child’s right to a Free and Appropriate Public Education,” Tisler said. 

Information on Dixon’s background and campaign priorities was not readily available.

The general election will be on Nov. 7.