Julie A. Knight

Candidate for School Board

Age: 43

Residence: City of Fairfax.

Education: BS, home economics education; MS, home economics education and mass communications, Texas Tech University; graduate, W.K. Kellogg Foundation National Youth Developers Institute.

Occupation: Homemaker; youth and community development specialist.

Elected offices/civic activities: Member, Fairfax City School Board, 2004-present; member, Virginia School Boards Association; member, Fairfax City Parks and Recreation Advisory Board; founding member, Fairfax Partnership for Youth; PTA member and volunteer, Providence and Mosby Woods elementary schools; volunteer club leader, Fairfax County 4-H program; neighborhood host, National Night Out; volunteer team, children and youth ministry, Vienna Presbyterian Church; former mentor, Naomi Project; graduate, Leadership Fairfax.

What do you think is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction? "Working in partnership with Fairfax County, we must continually seek to improve opportunities for all students to reach their highest potential and be prepared for the future. In addition to overseeing this partnership contract with the county School Board, our city board is responsible for the facilities we own and their utilization. With renovations at Lanier Middle and Fairfax High, we will have four state-of-the-art facilities. While our two elementary schools are already top-notch, the 2004 boundary adjustment did not solve space issues for the long-term. We must work with the community to address this issue effectively."

Why should voters elect you? "I understand the issues and am committed to youth and our community. I will be proactive in listening and responding to families about their concerns."

Web site: None given.

E-mail address: B_JKnight@msn.com