Hear From Hunter Mill School Board Candidates at Reston Forum

In Reston’s only contested race this fall, Fairfax County School Board’s Hunter Mill representative Pat Hynes will face challenger Mark Wilkinson, an Oak Hill tech consultant.

The entire FCPS school board is up for re-election in the Nov. 3 race. There are nine candidates running for three At-Large seats.

The League of Women Voters is sponsoring a Hunter Mill Candidates Forum on Oct. 24 at 2 p.m. at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods.

Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins, who is running unopposed for re-election, will also be at the event.

Hynes, of Reston, is a former lawyer and teacher who has served on the board since 2012. She is the current board chair.

“Maintaining Fairfax County Public Schools’ world-class reputation in the twenty-first century demands visionary leadership,” Hynes says on her website. “This community expects its schools to be the best. We are preparing our students for careers that do not yet exist. What we know for sure is that our graduates will have to be flexible, creative problem-solvers who collaborate well and have strong communication skills. We must continue to build a culture that innovates from the classroom, supports our world class educators and sets high expectations for every student.”

Wilkinson says on his website he is concerned about FCPS’ budget, class sizes, and other issues.

“I believe that the children of Fairfax County must come first with any decisions made by the school establishment, particularly the School Board,” says Wilkinson. “I am well suited to be an independent and non-partisan advocate for children and sound education.

“As a parent, I know that no one knows a child and his/her needs as well as a parent. I have been troubled by the appearance, the current Board has given, that it has a disregard for parent knowledge and involvement.  There is no room for a “we know best” attitude from the School Board.”

Photos: Pat Hynes (left) and Mark Wilkinson (right).