For the last four years, it has been my profound privilege to serve the students, parents, and residents of the City of Falls Church as a member of the School Board. 

During this time, I’ve worked hard to build-upon the excellence in our public schools.  Working with my School Board colleagues, I helped to:

• Propose fiscally responsible school budgets to spur innovation and improvements in our schools, while reducing expenses through new efficiencies or the reprogramming of funds from ineffective programs,
• Improve coordination and communication  with City Council and the broader community as a whole,
• Utilize data to inform Board and classroom instruction decisions, 
• Expand access and use of school facilities as “community” asset,
• Deliver Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School on-time and on-budget,
• Add classrooms on to Mt. Daniel,
• Modernize the high school science labs,
• Craft new strategies to retain, recruit, and reward a top notch teacher workforce,
• Ensure an aligned, differentiated, and relevant academic experience for every student,
• Chart a new six-year strategic vision,
• Maintain small class-size, while expanding course offerings and school activities,
• Enhance outreach and support for students with disabilities, and limited English proficiency, and their families,
• And, so much more.  

It has as been a busy, productive, and exciting four years, but my work is not done. 

On the horizon are the challenges of a retiring and mobile teacher workforce, aging facilities, growing student populations, and budget pressures.  At the same time, our children face the challenges of a hyper-competitive and changing global economy. 

Our schools and community need experienced, thoughtful, and strong leadership to successfully chart the course ahead:  I’m ready for the job.  I am a mother, an effective and experienced member of the School Board, the Chairman of the Northeastern Region of the Virginia School Boards Association, and recognized expert on education policy.  I am also the School Board Liaison on Legislation, Special Education, English as a Second Language, and Family Life Committee. 

 As the director of the Education, Early Childhood, and Workforce Committee at the National Governors Association (NGA), I lead and oversee all education, labor, and competitiveness-related issues for the nation’s governors.  Prior to joining NGA, I was the Director of Federal Legislation for the National School Boards Association and represented the interests of the nation's 96,000 local school board members.  I also served as the Assistant Director of Public Policy for the American Counseling Association and as an education and small business advisor in the U.S. Senate.

I’m vested in our public schools and community, and I have the expertise to tackle the opportunities and challenges ahead.   

Our public schools make the City of Falls Church a desirable place to live, work, and do business.  I’m excited about our schools and want to continue to serve you to make them -- at all grades and for all children -- even better. 

 On behalf of my entire family, thank you for your support the past four years!  I ask for your support again – vote Joan Wodiska for School Board on May 6^th.