MCPS DISTRICT E REPRESENTATIVE

In order to continue and grow the work of the Board, I endorse and support Derek Rountree for District E. Derek is a big supporter of public schools. He volunteers at his children’s school in various ways, including the PTA. He and his wife have been Boy Scout and Girl Scout Leaders. Derek was also a tutor in college and has continued his passion for education and will advocate for ALL students in the school division regardless of where they live or what school they attend. Public education is the ultimate equalizer!!

Please join me in voting fro Derek Roundtree for MCPS School Board District E

* Please note that I don not speak for the board, but do speak for myself as a parent to MCPS graduates, a Montgomery County resident, and school board member.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

I am so excited to announce that the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) Political Action Group (PAC) is supporting my campaign for school board! This is a great honor, as I drive to support our teachers and their work environment. The teacher's work environment is the student's learning environment!

MCPS PARENT

I’m writing to encourage residents of District E in Montgomery County to vote in the upcoming election and to cast a vote for Derek Rountree for county school board.

Throughout his campaign, Derek has demonstrated that he is interested in hearing the concern and priorities of families and teachers. Her regularly asks for input from the community and provides thoughtful responses to all concerns raised. This is what we need now: a school board that is open to receiving input from key stakeholders.

Our public schools are still recovering from the pandemic period. Students need support to regain academic performance. Teachers need support to feel valued and secure. We all need to ensure our schools are secure and peaceful environments.

We need hard work to address school safety, teacher retention, and curriculum strength.

PRICES FORK ELEMENTRY SCHOOL PARENT

Derek is an exceptional human being. I appreciate his thoughtful and measured approaches to the challenges our school system is navigating, while advocating for all of us.

We need Derek, who will always speak up with kindness and consideration for all right now.

EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS

Lorri and I, as trained educators, support Derek for school board. Lorri has been an early education teacher for almost 40 years, and I have a special education degree and was in educational publishing for 20 years. As lifelong community advocates (PTA, Grange, Cub Scouts, and youth coaching) we applaud Derek's willingness to explore new ideas and not follow a political agenda.

PRICES FORK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PARENT

I'm a District E parent who's had the pleasure of knowing Derek for several years and worked with him on the Playground Committee at our Congregation. He amazed me with his well-researched, multi-tiered plan to address pressing issues while coming up with a budget and timeline to grow our playground in the years to come. I know he will bring this passion and commitment to the School Board.

Additionally, I watched Derek as he's grown into his role as a candidate for school board. He's continued to listen, research, and learn where the Country school system's strengths and weaknesses lay. I know he is the well-rounded candidate our children and teachers deserve.

I fully endorse Derek for District E School Board.

FORMER MCPS EDUCATOR

As both a longtime resident of District E and a former MCPS educator, I endorse Derek Rountree’s candidacy for School Board.

Derek’s campaign demonstrates his understanding of the breadth and complexity of issues to which the School Board must attend. He displays a sincere dedication to the education and well-being of students, and he is unwavering in his commitment to provide schools the resources required to address students’ academic, social, and emotional needs. He recognizes the many challenges schools face and the need to fully fund and support teachers and school staff.

I applaud Derek for being willing to engage with constituents and for running an open and transparent campaign. He sets a great example for parents being involved in their child’s education and supporting the learning experiences provided in their schools.

Vote for Derek Rountree to represent District E on the MCPS School Board!

AUTHOR & MCPS PARENT

Local politics has gone a little feral these past few years, eh? Insults, verbal smackdowns, shouting matches. Southwest Virginia’s crazy cup runneth over. Personally, I’m fed up with cultural crusaders and egomaniacs who want strut instead of govern.

That’s why I’m hoping you’ll join me in supporting a calm, sensible MCPS school board candidate: Derek Rountree for District E.

I’ve taught Sunday school with Derek for the past four years, and I can say with confidence that he is one of the most even-keeled people you’re likely to meet. He’s got an endearing low-key dad vibe—the kind of guy that can gently guide kids toward understanding difficult concepts, wrangle unruly toddlers, and patiently help a roomful of six-year-olds glue cotton balls onto paper sheep. More than that, his commitment to education and to our community runs deep. He shows up. He does what he says he will. He’s whip-smart, but listens a lot more than he talks.

I’m so happy that someone as solid and levelheaded as Derek Rountree is seeking elected office. He will be a fantastic advocate for our kids, our parents, our teachers, and our schools.

PROFESSOR & ALUMI PARENT

I want to offer my strong endorsement of Derek Rountree for the school board. I have known and worked with him since he was a graduate student detecting solar neutrinos – tiny particles produced deep within our Sun, and observed here on Earth in deep underground detectors. His superb interaction with students, faculty, staff, vendors, and local community demonstrated, over-and-over again, his most remarkable trait – a genuine empathy for the challenges each individual faced, and a way to bring them to work constructively together.

He is a natural educator, and managed the research activities of many of my students, and created an underground research laboratory in our region’s back yard, serving researchers from around the country. His willingness to now serve our community as a school board member is an amazing resource we should capitalize on – one backed by his experience, compassion, and effectiveness.

I am confident he will listen to the community, think deeply about the arguments presented, and then work tirelessly to put the best interests of our youth up front. And he’ll be able to explain and defend the logic of his actions, helping us all understand, and achieve a better result for our kids – something I think our school board and the community will cherish. He certainly has my vote.

PARENT & FORMER TEACHER

Derek Rountree shows a passion for deeply thinking about the very nuanced issues our schools face and a dedication for communicating on these issues with parents. In a world of shallow partisan talking points, I can’t think of a more desirable characteristic for a leader.

These are the types of leaders I believe will help me best exercise my rights as a parent and can best help our schools and community move forward together. And I think if the folks in their districts take a hard look, they’ll agree.

FORMER MCPS EDUCATOR

I am Ruth Lacy. I am now retired, but taught for 40 years in grades 1st - 8th in three states and worked as a teacher trainer in the Peace Corps. I have taught in three schools in Montgomery County, with the last 20 years at Harding Avenue Elementary.

I had the pleasure of spending a considerable time on the phone with Derek telling me about his hopes for Montgomery County Schools, and I felt that his philosophy and aspirations were the best for our schools.

He stands for supporting teacher needs for adequate salary and benefits that are at least comparable to counties near us. He also is supporting smaller class sizes, which are better than those limits set by the state. In support of this, I remember that a few years ago, MCPS sent out a large survey to parents and teachers asking about the most pressing needs for our schools. “Class size” came up as a priority, so class sizes were altered. I was so pleased with that change and relished the individual learning time with my students.

So overall, I am giving my enthusiastic support for Derek Rountree.