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Fresh faces vying for Hartwood post
In School Board race, two Hartwood District candidates are new to politics.
Date published: 11/2/2005
By KELLY HANNON
The Hartwood District seat on the Stafford School Board is open, and two political newcomers are vying for it: Kim Miller, an active volunteer at Hartwood Elementary, and Doreen Phillips, a local real-estate agent.
The Hartwood District stretches from central to southern Stafford along the county's western border and includes a handful of schools--Hartwood Elementary, Rocky Run Elementary, Winding Creek Elementary, Gayle Middle School and Colonial Forge High School.
Since the last election, residents in this district have debated how to bring county water service to Hartwood Elementary, which is still using well water and has experienced elevated levels of lead in the past. Parents of students at at Rocky Run Elementary have complained of crowding, and have lobbied the School Board to either build a new school or redistrict existing elementary schools.
Attendance zone changes forced by overcrowding and the opening of the county's fifth high school, Mountain View High, also caused waves in this district last year. The School Board moved some students attending Stafford High School to Colonial Forge High School, overriding protests from parents, while a neighborhood in this district's northern section, Austin Ridge, successfully campaigned to stay at Colonial Forge rather than move to North Stafford High School.
Kim Miller
Earlier this year, Kim Miller, president of the Parent Teacher Association at Hartwood Elementary, decided she wanted to make a difference in Stafford schools at a higher level.
So she filed to run for the Stafford School Board.
The 10-year Stafford resident has been PTA president of Hartwood Elementary the past two years, and vice president the previous two years. She also works in Stafford schools as a substitute teacher.
Miller, 39, has a child at each of Stafford's school levels--one at Colonial Forge High, Gayle Middle and Hartwood Elementary.
Her top priorities include working to bring Hartwood Elementary online with the county's water system, easing overcrowding at Rocky Run Elementary, and helping parents understand and have a role in redistricting.
She also is concerned about levels of school funding.
"It's really sad what the PTA has to cover, what the parents have to cover, for a county that's been known as a very good school system," Miller said.
"I think we need to spend more money, not less money," she said.
Kim Miller, 39, independent, substitute teacher
Education: Bachelor's degree, University of Delaware
Address: 124 Wateredge Lane
Date of birth: Dec. 4, 1965
Place of birth: Baltimore
Family: Husband, Michael; three children, Nicole, 14; Zach, 11; Amanda, 9.
Community activities: Current Parent Teacher Association president, Hartwood Elementary; Reflections Chair, Gayle Middle School. Previously served as PTA vice president, Hartwood Elementary School; secretary, Wateredge Estates Homeowners Association.
Platform: "It is important that Stafford County schools maintain their level of excellence. To this end, we need to build schools to keep up with the growth in the community and find quality teachers to educate our students. We need to offer competitive salaries to keep those quality teachers. Whether or not you have children in the school system, having a successful education program benefits all residents. If we don't make this an area where people want to send their children to school, eventually the community can decline in other areas, including property values, businesses and attracting professional service providers."
Why voters should choose Miller: "I have the time, energy and commitment to be an effective School Board member. If elected, the School Board will be my full-time job. I have spent years in the schools, and know what the teachers, parents and students want and need. I am willing to listen to all questions and concerns, and will make sure I am accessible to all my constituents. |
Doreen M. Phillips, 42, independent, real-estate broker
Education: Bachelor's degree, University of Maryland
Address: Coakley Lane
Date of birth: Sept. 1, 1963
Place of birth: Takoma Park, Md.
Family: Husband, Mark; daughters, Megan, 15; Grace, 12.
Community/church activities: Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee; member, Chamber of Commerce; member, Fredericksburg Area Association of Realtors; member, Colonial Forge High School Parent Teacher Organization.
Platform: Fiscal responsibility, smart spending, listening to the concerns of the students and parents with quick response and action. Address concerns on teacher salaries, new schools, taxes, Hartwood water, block scheduling, budget surplus.
Why voters should choose Phillips: "As a local business owner, I'm a qualified candidate with extensive entrepreneurial experience and business experience. I constantly look for the best value available. I am a team player with innovative approaches to issues and will respond quickly to the concerns of our teachers, students and parents."
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Date published: 11/2/2005
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