Justice for Amherst County School Board

05/06/2026

It's budget time and there is a lot of discussion going on. Finding the BoS meeting which included school finances, is linked here.

The agenda and associated documents for this meeting can be found on the County website. https://amherstcova.portal.civicclerk.com/event/2664/files/agenda/7178

02/18/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DLBGLZFf5/?mibextid=wwXIfr

ACHS Families,

It has been brought to our attention that a group of our ACHS students may be planning a walkout on Thursday afternoon this week.

At Amherst County High School, student safety is always our top priority, and we work to minimize disruptions to the instructional day whenever possible. We recognize that students may have strong feelings about issues affecting our nation and our community. And, we encourage our students' interest and participation in civic engagement. Students are encouraged to share their perspectives in appropriate ways that do not disrupt instruction or compromise safety, and we welcome conversations with school administration about those options.

We want our students and families to understand that leaving class or school grounds without permission during the school day is not the same as protected, non-disruptive expressions. Walkouts remove students from supervised classrooms, interrupt instruction, and create material safety risks. For these reasons, walkouts during instructional time are considered to be disruptive conduct under school guidelines.

In accordance with our discipline matrix and attendance policies, students who leave class or school grounds without permission will be marked unexcused for missed class time and will receive standard disciplinary consequences. Students who engage in actions that cause a major disruption to the normal operation of the school day may face additional disciplinary consequences, consistent with division policies. Additionally, the school cannot be responsible for students who choose to leave school property without authorization.

While students remain free to express their opinions through lawful means, the instructional mission of our school cannot be disrupted or compromised by any expression or demonstration.

We appreciate your partnership as we work together to ensure a safe, orderly learning environment for all students and staff. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the ACHS Administrative Team.

Thank you for your continued support.

11/05/2025

Thank you all for your support and help. Thank you for the trust you, the voters placed in me for a second term. May I be faithful to advocate for policies which provide students, teachers and all school employees with support, safety, and an opportunity to be heard.

Thank you for your trust.

11/04/2025

It's election day! Get out and vote! The nation is watching!

10/18/2025

Question #5

What have I done, as a school board member?

a. ACPS' policy regarding "Content Containing Sexually Explicit material", is a parent opt-in, ---so that no student would be exposed to sexually explicit material without their parent's written permission. Most Virginia districts did "Opt-out" .

b. Policy Committee member, helping to navigate policies the Board wants to be reviewed. There are two board members on this committee.

c. Challenged eleven library books which were moved behind the counter, so that they can only be checked out with parental permission.

d. Instrumental in researching the Amplify CKLA Literacy Program, and advocating for a program which was age appropriate, and more balanced in representation.

Amplify CKLA has been fraught with controversy over its political "social justice" material.

JS board members voice curriculum concern | News, Sports, Jobs - The Express

e. Participated in reading to the students.

f. Researched VSBA policy recommendations which heretofore had been approved with little board discussion. If VSBA said it was "good", it was passed by the previous board and prior superintendent. VSBA is a LOBBYING group.

g. My research was integral to making masks optional on school buses before any of the other districts.

10/17/2025

Question #4 Why school board?

a. The children are the future.

b. Schoolboard is responsible for hiring and firing the superintendent. We have an excellent superintendent who respects families, teachers, is collaborative, close to the community. We didn't before. That needed to change and I am thankful to have been a part of
that journey.

c. Schoolboard governs, purchases curriculum, is required by law to be in the schools and know what is going on. That takes work.

I am good at research. As an educational advocate for my children I am used to doing the research and think outside the box. As a medical advocate I am used to interacting with government entities and getting results."

d. Curriculum matters! Standards matter. The kids have to be taught real history, math, reading, government and science. Amherst needs curriculum that is doing precisely that, not shifting the hearts of the children towards a "agenda".

Amherst teaches children respect for law enforcement, respect for
our country and how far we've come.

For too long, parents felt like the schoolboard wasn't accessible. I respond and dialogue with the community.

Schoolboards have been observers for too long, which is exactly how unions want it. But our schoolboard is an elected body and we answer to our boss,

you the voter.

(The Center Square) – Murders have dropped 31.9% and violent crime fell 13% in areas participating in the Ceasefire Virginia program between 2023 and 2024, according to a new report

10/16/2025

Question #2 How long have I been on the school board?
a. I am in my fourth year;
b. I live in the town;
c. I am in Courthouse District

10/16/2025

Amherst school board member Dawn Justice running for second term
https://newsadvance.com/news/community/new-era-progress/article_c4e1b835-4ebb-47d9-bed9-93406a314e8b.html

10/16/2025

Question #3 What prompted me to run for public office?

a. In 2020, my family and I fled the state of Oregon because of the draconian crackdown on citizens, but the apparent enabling of criminals who set fire to federal buildings, set fire to private property and blamed law enforcement for almost everything. I asked, what is going on? Like everyone else in the nation, I learned about Critical Race Theory, Systemic Racism and Intersectionality which was a Marxist attempt to divide people into groups based upon "perceived" wrongs resulting from our American system of government, economics, education, legal system and private property. Our state was no longer safe.

b. After moving here and seeing people say "The Pledge of Allegiance" and gasp, a prayer, as well, as the medical freedoms, amd independent mindset of citizens, I was amazed.

c. After speaking up at Board of Supervisor meetings on first and second sanctuary amendments, I was asked to run for schoolboard.

d. Amherst had a chance. Washington, Oregon and California were mandating the teaching of Critical Race Theory. Virginia was not.

e. So, I agreed with my family to run for school board and see if my district wanted me to be their representative. They did. I received the majority.

10/16/2025

Question #1
Why is a homeschooler a schoolboard member? What business is the public school to me?

a. Tax-payer
b. In Virginia, local school boards oversee home education;
c. Local schoolboards make policy for all students in the county (charter schools, homeschool)