2024 General Election Candidate Profile: Maidy Whitesell For Manassas School Board

Sep 12

5 min read

Patch asked candidates for mayor, Manassas City Council and Manassas School Board to fill out a candidate questionnaire with the same questions. Here are some of Maidy Whitesell's responses:

Name

Maidy Whitesell

Office Sought

Manassas City School Board

Campaign Website

Maidy4manassas.com

Age (As of Nov. 5 election)

Education

Bachelor's in Business Administration

Occupation

Corporate Strategist

Family

I'm married to a Fairfax County teacher and we have 2 children in the Manassas City Public Schools system.

Why are you seeking this office?

I’m running for the School Board because our schools are hurting right now and I have the background and experience to make necessary improvements to our system. As a professional, I optimize processes for Fortune 500 companies. As an individual, I am an immigrant, a mother to two Manassas City students, and the wife of a public school educator. I am running because I believe our schools are capable of performing better. I want to use my experience and perspective to make informed decisions to improve the quality of education that our students receive.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidate(s) seeking this post?

My personal and professional background are what set me apart from everyone else. It's the combination of these things that gives me a unique perspective. As a professional, my job involves process optimizations, financial audits, and contract negotiations for major domestic and international companies. I have a strong analytical and strategic mindset that is needed on our School Board. I am the only candidate in this race with a strategic corporate background, which I hope to leverage for better results for our students and community if elected.

On a personal level, my experiences are equally defining. My parents and younger siblings came to the US in 2000. They started their schooling here. My mom was very involved in their education until she was diagnosed with cancer in 2006. I was still living in South America and by this time, I had already completed my degree and was working for a large international company. I left everything behind and I am grateful that I was able to spend time with my mom before she passed. As the oldest daughter, I promised to take care of my elementary-aged siblings. As such, I experienced firsthand the challenges of adapting to a new educational system. I am the only candidate in the race who has experienced the Manassas City schools as a Spanish-speaking immigrant. The School Board currently lacks anyone with this personal experience, and I hope to bring this perspective to the Board if elected.

What do you see as the top issues facing your city, and how do you address them in your campaign platform?

Our middle school and high school are not fully accredited; we're struggling with our absenteeism rates, low teacher morale due to low behavioral and academic expectations, and a School Board that has not addressed these issues in a serious, systematic, and transparent way.

As a parent of children attending these schools, it’s a priority for me to have schools that prepare our children to succeed in life. Our job is to give them tools and resources to empower them. However, students have to be in class to take advantage of these resources. We need to get the absenteeism rates under control. Increasing academic rigor, setting expectations, following through with discipline - these are the things that will help our students grow. I learned from my own teachers and family that hard work leads to success. We need to instill in our students the belief that they can do amazing things, but we also need to be realistic with them that it takes work to achieve greatness.

We have a responsibility to inspire our students to reach their full potential through policies and programs that encourage students to show up and do their work each and every day. Let’s start with improving communication. Let’s highlight opportunities where we can develop internships for our high schoolers by partnering with local businesses. Our local businesses have a high interest in helping our kids grow the skills they need while getting real life experience at work. Let's be proactive. Let's be transparent. Let's bring back expectations and accountability. The current MCPS grading policy gives students 50% credit for work that is not even attempted (there are no 0s in MCPS) and guarantees retakes on all tests and assignments for full credit. This policy communicates the wrong message to our students and they are failing to reach their full potential as a result of it. I hope to change this and help all of our schools achieve and maintain full accreditation.

We need to advocate for our teachers, too. We are losing good teachers because they don't feel supported, because they don't feel their voice and concerns are heard, because they don't feel like a priority.

At the heart of all of these issues facing MCPS is, in my opinion, a lack of transparency and rigorous, data-driven decision-making. I want to see more collaboration. All stakeholders need to be involved.

As a professional in the corporate world, I have learned how to make strategic and impactful decisions. I have learned how to collect, interpret, and respond to data. Additionally, as a mom and as someone who shares a cultural background with many of our students and families, I know that our kids are capable of more. I know that Manassas schools can achieve greater results and that a person with my background is well-positioned to make it happen.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Over the past 12 years in Manassas City, I’ve actively volunteered with various organizations, including serving on the PTO boards at Round Elementary and Metz, and on the board of the Wellington Dolphins swim team. My involvement with the Rotary Impact club and local events has also given me a deep appreciation for community engagement. I aim to bring this experience and dedication to the School Board to make a meaningful impact on our schools.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Manassas has a significant Spanish-speaking population that is currently underrepresented in our school leadership. I am committed to being that vital representation. I understand firsthand the challenges faced by many immigrant families, but I also recognize our strong commitment to education and our desire to be held to the same standards as everyone else. All of our families, regardless of background, have the same hopes, dreams, and aspirations for their students. It is time to transform MCPS. Manassas is a wonderful place to live, but even the best communities can improve, and education is a key component.

I want voters to remember that Maidy Whitesell is your neighbor, your friend, your advocate. I am not afraid of hard work and I know how to overcome challenges. With your vote, I will be on the Manassas City School Board, listening to your concerns and looking for opportunities to improve our schools and our children’s education. I’m a positive and passionate person who is ready to serve and lead for our students. We have to stop making excuses and start making changes.

Together, let's transform MCPS into a model system that others will look up to. By investing our time and resources into our children, we will enhance our community, secure a better future for our city and students, and make Manassas a place where everyone wants to be.