Diane Raulston aims to keep her seat on the Prince William County School Board, and says the work to reduce or remove classroom trailers needs to continue.
Name: Diane L. Raulston
Party: Democrat
County: Woodbridge
Running for: Prince William County School Board – Neabsco District
Website: facebook.com/friendsforDianeRaulston
Work: I am a retired activist who currently sits on the PWCS School Board. I represent the Neabsco District.
Education: I attended Kansas State College and majored in English and Journalism.
Community Involvement: In 2007, I moved to Dale City, Virginia where I obtained membership in many local and civic organizations. I am a former member of the Bel Air Women’s Club. I am an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1503, a lifetime member of the Dale City Civic Association, and volunteer with the Prince William County Lassie League.
On a county level, I was appointed to serve two terms as chair of the Neabsco Budget Committee at the pleasure of my late friend, the Honorable John D. Jenkins, Board of County Supervisors. I am a former member of the Prince William County Disability Services Board, and the Discover Prince William & Manassas Convention and Visitors Bureau.
I received Congressional Recognition of Volunteerism from Congressman Gerald Connolly in 2013 and 2014 and from U.S. Senator Mark Warner in 2014. I currently sit on the Board of directors of the Prince William County Boys and Girls Club. As mentioned
I am currently a sitting member of the PWC School Board, representing the Neabsco District and looking forward to another great four years representing my district.
Questions and Answers
PL: What are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent?
Raulston: Eliminating the remaining trailers. Increasing the district’s school budget, and transportation.
PL: What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?
Raulston: School renovations following trailer elimination, work with the board members to increase the school site budgets, and obtaining competitive salaries for school bus drivers.
PL: From your perspective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking?
Raulston: Oversight of the Superintendent to make sure he is achieving the visions and goals of the district, work within the budget and advocate for the teachers, parents, and students.
PL: What expertise will you bring to the office?
Raulston: As the incumbent, I will bring my four years of experience as a sitting member PWC School Board representing the Neabsco district and my future four-year strategic plan that includes increasing parent involvement and a journey of continuous progress to upgrade technology and systems.
PL: Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of local government?
Raulston: No. I intend on improving communication with my constituency by frequent town hall meetings, simplified social media access, and newsletters.
PL: Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they affected you?
Raulston: No.
PL: Our readers want leaders in local government. Why should they vote for you?
Raulston: Over the last four years I was able to reduce 70% of the trailers in the Neabsco District. We have seen continuous academic progress in our schools at every grade level. Going forward I will continue to work with leadership and the community for the best interests of our students.
