Where do Harrisonburg candidates stand on schools and education?

Q: Where do Harrisonburg candidates stand on schools and education?

Harrisonburg City Council (vote for not more than two). Dany R. Fleming (Democratic, incumbent): Fleming said continued support for city schools is important and cited increased city funding for public schools during his term. Monica L. Robinson (Democratic, incumbent): No public statement found in our sources. Sal T. Romero Jr. (Independent): No public statement found in our sources. Harrisonburg School Board (vote for not more than three). Rachel G. Smallwood (Independent): School priorities: In the 2026 candidate profile, Smallwood agreed that public schools should prioritize academic achievement and character-building to preserve American traditions and self-government. School choice: Smallwood agreed that school choice can create competition that encourages public schools to improve their educational systems. School safety: Smallwood agreed that licensed faculty with ongoing training should be allowed to carry guns at school to respond to an active-shooter situation. Debra Stevens Fitzgerald (Independent): Student technology: Fitzgerald said that, as an economics professor, she is seeing effects of artificial intelligence and screen time on students, as well as effects associated with schooling during the COVID-19 shutdown. The article reports these as concerns, not a specific policy proposal. Emma Phillips (Independent, incumbent): 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. Student inclusion: Phillips said she wants the schools to continue celebrating district diversity and working to close achievement gaps, particularly for English language learners.

Question

Accepted Answer

Harrisonburg City Council (vote for not more than two)

Dany R. Fleming (Democratic, incumbent)
Public schools: Fleming said continued support for city schools is important and cited increased city funding for public schools during his term. (WHSV, 2026 Harrisonburg City Council candidate interview)
Monica L. Robinson (Democratic, incumbent)
No public statement found in our sources.
Sal T. Romero Jr. (Independent)
No public statement found in our sources.

Harrisonburg School Board (vote for not more than three)

Rachel G. Smallwood (Independent)
School priorities: School priorities: In the 2026 candidate profile, Smallwood agreed that public schools should prioritize academic achievement and character-building to preserve American traditions and self-government. (iVoterGuide, 2026 Harrisonburg City Public Schools School Board candidate profile)
School choice: School choice: Smallwood agreed that school choice can create competition that encourages public schools to improve their educational systems. (iVoterGuide, 2026 Harrisonburg City Public Schools School Board candidate profile)
School safety: School safety: Smallwood agreed that licensed faculty with ongoing training should be allowed to carry guns at school to respond to an active-shooter situation. (iVoterGuide, 2026 Harrisonburg City Public Schools School Board candidate profile)
Debra Stevens Fitzgerald (Independent)
Student technology: Student technology: Fitzgerald said that, as an economics professor, she is seeing effects of artificial intelligence and screen time on students, as well as effects associated with schooling during the COVID-19 shutdown. The article reports these as concerns, not a specific policy proposal. (The Harrisonburg Citizen, 2026 school board election profile)
Emma Phillips (Independent, incumbent)
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)