Elliott B. Branch

Candidate for School Board District A

Age: 50

Residence: Arlandria.

Education: BS, economics, University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School; completed Executive Program, University of Virginia's Darden School of Business.

Occupation: Executive director for contracts, Naval Sea Systems Command.

Elected offices/civic activities: Former chairman, Charles Barrett Elementary Parents Advisory Council; former member, three school principal selection committees; former chairman, Alexandria School Board Budget Advisory Committee and T.C. Williams High School Community Steering Committee; youth basketball coach and youth sports advisory board member, Alexandria Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Activities.

What do you think is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction? "Accountability: establishing a means to ensure that expenditures in the capital and operating budgets have a measurable impact on student achievement."

Why should voters elect you? "My perspectives as a parent, citizen and a leader have prepared me to help make intelligent choices on behalf of the children of Alexandria."

Web site: www.branch4schoolboard.org

E-mail address: elliott@branch4schoolboard.org