Herndon resident runs for Fairfax County School Board seat

RestonNow.com March 3, 2023 at 3:02pm

(Updated at 12:55 a.m. on 3/4/2023) A Herndon resident has officially thrown his hat in for an at-large seat on the Fairfax County School Board.

Kyle McDaniel, an entrepreneur and father of two, is seeking a Democratic Party endorsement for a countywide seat on the school board, he announced Wednesday (March 1).

He says his top priority is ensuring every child lives up to their full potential.

“It’s no secret that parents, teachers, and kids struggled to weather the COVID pandemic. We have an opportunity to learn, do better, and emerge stronger,” Daniel said in his announcement. “As a parent, I understand that moms and dads across the County are frustrated. Our teachers and staff are tired. Our children are struggling. I am running to lead our schools out of a post-COVID fog, and into a bright tomorrow.”

He says that he hopes to charge his vision for FCPS over the coming months.

His campaign did not immediately address a request for comment from FFXnow. But his website states that his platform is based on several priorities, including providing safe ands secure schools, feeding hungry kids and building world case schools and educating global citizens.

“Over the coming months, I will lay out my vision for FCPS,” his announcement said. “It is one of hope, optimism, and courage. A vision where equality and excellence coexist, and school lunch debt is eliminated. We’ll bolster academics, and build a world where active shooter drills are a thing of the past. Together, we will accomplish great things.”

McDaniel graduated from George Mason University and and American University with degrees in public policy, budgeting and finance. He transitioned to the private sector with a corporate startup in 2015, following work on the state and local government levels.

The Herndon resident is also an airline transport pilot and flight instructor. He owns a flight school that has locations across the state.

The school board has three at-large seats, currently filled by board chair Rachna Sizemore-Heizer, Abrar Omeish and Karen Keys-Gamarra.

Sizemore-Heizer announced last month that she will instead seek to replace the retiring Megan McLaughlin as the board’s Braddock District representative. Omeish and Keys-Gamarra have yet to publicly share their plans for the Nov. 7 election.

All 12 school board seats will be on the ballot. So far, Providence District Representative Karl Frisch and Hunter Mill District Representative Melanie Meren are the only two incumbents to confirm they will run again for their current positions.