Elizabeth Leffel is running for Fincastle School Board seat once held by her late father

I would like to introduce myself as a candidate for School Board representing the Fincastle District. My name is Dr. Beth Leffel, I grew up in Botetourt and am currently living with my family in Eagle Rock. I have a son at James River, where both my husband and I graduated. I believe that our children are receiving a good education in Botetourt but there are some issues in our future which will require strong leadership from a School Board who understands the importance of a balanced curriculum, strategic planning and fiscal responsibility.

I have experience serving on a School Board and have had extensive training by the Virginia School Board Association. As a previous Chairman of the Board, I learned to enact transparent communication practices with the administration, teachers and parents so that the entire school community felt a part of the process. I led strategic planning exercises to allow Clarke County Public Schools to prepare for new construction of an elementary school and extensive renovations to another. Our board hired a new superintendent during my term, so I understand the “storming and forming” that comes with building a new team and how the school board guides that transition. We struggled to balance the academic needs for all students because, like Botetourt, we faced declining enrollment. Finally as the budget committee chair and Board of Supervisor liaison, I worked diligently to understand the budget process of the school system and how to justify needs so that the county provided requested funding.

When I was a child, my father operated a second generation dairy farm before the family moved to Eagle Rock. I credit living the life of a farm girl with leading me to a love of science and eventually a career as a medical research scientist. I now own my own business which provides scientific consulting to pharmaceutical companies in drug development to protect against biological, chemical or radiological terrorist events.

My mother is a retired Botetourt County school teacher who instilled in me an appreciation for education. Besides pursuing two post-graduate degrees myself, I have worked diligently to promote educational opportunities for others.  I developed a summer program for middle school students which resulted in the honor of the Department of Defense Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Award for developing community-based educational programs. Since then, I have been able to adapt the program to elementary students and last summer volunteered to teach it for the Eagle Rock Library summer program. I am excited that we will again be able to offer a similar camp at the library this summer.

I have a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Tech in Biochemistry, a Master of Public Health degree from The George Washington University in Environmental and Occupational Health and Doctorate of Philosophy from the Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University in Pharmacology and Toxicology. Of course, there will be future formal opportunities to meet but while those activities are being planned I would love to hear from you at:  leffel4botetourt@gmail.com.

Submitted by elizabeth Leffel for Fincastle School Board