Hamid4Schools

Friends:

The last three years have been tough on our kids, parents, teachers, and overall community in Fairfax County. We have faced many challenges across education, health, and technology.

Today I am announcing my candidacy for an at-large seat on the Fairfax County School Board.

I am a longtime county resident and a parent of children in Fairfax County Public Schools who has worked to build a bright future for the children of Fairfax County through active membership in the Fairfax County Democratic Committee, through community leadership and organizational advocacy, and through consistent support for ensuring that all children have a quality education and have both their physical and mental well-being need met.

The next four years will be a critically important period for the Fairfax County School Board as it confronts key issues, many of which predate the COVID-19 pandemic, but that were exacerbated by it. We must build a platform to take our great Fairfax County schools to the next level of world-class education. On the board, I will continue to advocate for our kids and our parents. I will advocate for better pay for our teachers and better technical infrastructure and resources that can help our teachers teach effectively, helping our kids learn, and supporting hybrid learning when necessary. I also want to address inequalities among our schools, working to build up schools to the highest quality levels. And I will be an unwavering advocate for ensuring that all our children, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, economic status, gender, sexual orientation, or need of special services receive a first rate education.

I am not a politician. I am an immigrant American who has overcome many challenges to earn undergraduate and master degrees from George Mason University and to become a successful IT professional. Fairfax County public school gave me an education that put me on the path of success, and I am grateful that my own children are now in Fairfax County public schools.

I care about public education, health, and community. That’s why I have volunteered to lead multiple organizations and initiatives for our community. I have been a leader in the Parent Teacher Association at the local, regional, and statewide level. I serve on the boards of Celebrate Fairfax and Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) of Northern Virginia.

Fairfax County has a very diverse population, many of whom are immigrants or children of immigrants. Many have come here from other states for military service or other work in our growing economy, or for many other reasons. When I moved to this country and settled in Fairfax County I faced challenges learning to maneuver through the school system. Even after I thought I knew the system, during the pandemic my family moved into a different district within Fairfax County and we felt unexpectedly disconnected with the schools. So I understand that when people move and are looking for answers and connections to our school system, we must actively provide resources to help them settle while showing that they are welcome.

I also want to work to address student harassment in schools by ensuring that cases are reported and addressed properly. I will work hard to make sure we provide safe channels for our students to report such issues and I will be vigilant in ensuring school leaders take serious actions to address complaints.
I work hard and I am passionate about achieving the best education for our kids. As a former Fairfax County Public Schools student, a father, an advocate, a community leader, and a technology professional, I have the experience to be the powerful voice for the Fairfax County community on the School Board as a member at large.

I humbly ask for your vote in Democratic Party Endorsement caucus to be held in May. Details on how to vote are here: https://www.fairfaxdemocrats.org/2023endorsement/

Thank you very much.

Regards,
HAMID MUNIR