Emma Phillips

Background

Phillips is an incumbent Harrisonburg City School Board member seeking a second term; she was elected in 2022. She teaches biology at Blue Ridge Community College and is a parent of children in Harrisonburg public schools.

Sources: The Harrisonburg Citizen, The Harrisonburg Citizen

What the candidate has said

Statements are attributed to the linked sources.

• Teacher retention

  Teacher retention: Phillips said teacher retention is an important issue for a second term. She has advocated for salary increases beyond amounts provided for in the state budget and helped advance paid parental leave for school staff who are new parents.

  The Harrisonburg Citizen, 2026 school board election profile

• Student inclusion

  Student inclusion: Phillips said she wants the schools to continue celebrating district diversity and working to close achievement gaps, particularly for English language learners.

  The Harrisonburg Citizen, 2026 school board election profile