Applicants for interim Fredericksburg School Board seat make their case for opening

by Adele Uphaus | Aug 4, 2026 | Fredericksburg, , Educationhttps://www.fredericksburgfreepress.com/2026/08/04/applicants-for-interim-fredericksburg-school-board-seat-make-their-case-for-opening/

There are five applicants for the vacant at-large seat on the Fredericksburg School Board, but according to city residents who spoke on Monday, one of them already has the community’s support.

“I’m here to support Dr. [Stan] Jones,” said Jessica Reed, the parent of two children in the school division, during a special school board meeting called to hear from the applicants for the seat left vacant by Jarvis Bailey. Reed was one of four citizens to speak in support of Jones.

“We, the public, stood behind him in a record turnout for a write-in candidate last November. Dr. Stan Jones had [nearly 22%] of the vote — that’s nearly one-fourth of voters,” Reed said.

Jones, who has worked as a school superintendent in Danville City and interim superintendent in Stafford County as part of a 39-year career in public education, ran as a write-in candidate for the Ward 4 seat last fall, challenging incumbent Malvina Kay.

He and four other residents have applied to fill Bailey’s seat on an interim basis through the end of this year. The school board will vote on and appoint the interim member at a special meeting on Aug. 17.

At Monday’s meeting, Jones said he has a simple reason for seeking the interim appointment: “to serve the children and families of Fredericksburg.”

“For 39 years, I have dedicated my professional life to public education in Virginia,” he said. “I’m not seeking this position for recognition or personal gain. I’m seeking it because I believe my experience can be of service to this community at an important time for Fredericksburg City Public Schools.”

Jones also said that having worked as a school division leader, he understands the proper role of a school board, which is to “establish a vision, ensure accountability, exercise sound fiscal stewardship, and support the superintendent, while keeping students at the center of every decision.”

Two of the other applicants for the vacant seat — Justin Carter and Jacob Parcell — are graduates of the city’s James Monroe High School.

Carter works as director of operations for a global transportation and fueling company. He said his job is about one thing only: accountability.

“Budgets that close, audits that get answered, standards that hold everywhere and everyone, including the locations that are furthest away, accountable,” he said, pledging to bring this focus on accountability to his work on the school board if appointed.

Parcell said he would bring his work experience in “organizational strategy, financial oversight, performance measurement, and operational improvements” to the board.

“Those experiences have taught me to ask thoughtful questions, analyze difficult issues, and make strategic decisions,” he said.

A fourth applicant, Anthony Watkins, spoke of his career in the Marine Corps and of being married to a fourth-grade teacher in Fredericksburg City schools.

“It’s not an easy time to grow up in this world, nor is it an easy time to teach in our schools,” Watkins said. He said his leadership philosophy is to listen, ask questions, and look to history to see if there are lessons that can be applied to today’s challenges.

The final applicant, Beth Flanagan, is an educator who currently works in Prince William County. Flanagan was not present on Monday, but in a written statement that was read aloud, she said that her career in education gives her an understanding of what policies can “guide administration and students toward the highest level of success.”

She also spoke of the school board’s role in overseeing the division superintendent.

“Who will lead our school away from underperformance in math, literacy, history, and science?” Flanagan questioned. “I personally envision [a school division’s organizational chart] flipped upside down. The superintendent and central office hold up and support the administrators in every school, while the administrators are supporting teachers who in turn support every student, which are, of course, the top priority within our system.”

Among the Fredericksburg residents who spoke in support of Jones on Monday was Carter Fitch, budget director for Stafford County Public Schools.

“I have worked with Dr. Jones in Stafford, and he has the experience to right the ship [here in Fredericksburg],” Fitch said. “It would be beneficial to have his oversight, and I look forward to seeing him up here soon.”

School board members thanked all the applicants for their interest in serving the school division and praised their qualifications.

“I am tremendously impressed with all of you,” Ward 3 representative Andy Wolfenbarger said. “I hope in the election you all run and that I have a lot of competitors who are as qualified as you all.”

Wolfenbarger noted that he worked in Stafford County for 13 years and had colleagues there who “spoke highly” of Jones. “To have a superintendent apply to be on the school board is a pretty remarkable qualification,” he said.

Molly McFadden, the other at-large representative, said there is “very clear public support for one of the candidates.” She said she received emails from community members, “all in support of Dr. Jones,” and “that’s something that speaks volumes.”

Kay arrived at Monday’s meeting late, after the five applicants had addressed the board. She said she “didn’t get one call [in support of Dr. Jones].” “I had the pleasure of running against him,” she said. “My constituents don’t support him, but I did get calls about the [James Monroe High School] grads. It was the experience of going through the school system that impressed my constituents.”

The school board will vote on and appoint the interim member at a special meeting on Aug. 17.

In November, voters will select a permanent representative to serve out the remainder of Bailey’s four-year term, which expires in December of 2027.

The deadline for candidates to petition the circuit court to be included on the ballot in November is Aug. 14.