An Open Letter to Norfolk

Today, as I consider the state of Norfolk Public Schools, I see a system that has lost its bearings as the result of mismanagement from our school board. The board members are our friends and our neighbors, and they are positioned to provide a valuable service to our community. However, the truth always leaves evidence. The evidence shows that nearly one-third of school-aged children in Norfolk are not attending Norfolk Public Schools and enrollment has been steadily decreasing....

About Shawn Wilkerson

The views and opinions presented herein belong solely to the candidate and do not necessarily represent the views of U.S. federal government to include the Department of War (DoW) or the Department of the Navy (DoN). Appearance of candidate in uniform, or reference to military service does not constitute DoW or DoN endorsement.

Shawn is a retired Navy Officer and Norfolk Public Schools parent. After retiring as a Surface Warfare Officer, he began working as a System Engineer, where he manages the maintenance system, configuration, and quality standards for over 100 communications sites. Shawn is also the Scoutmaster for Norfolk’s Troop 1, the oldest continuously chartered Scouting Troop in the Commonwealth of Virginia. He and his wife, Jene’, have been married for over 20 years and have three children in Norfolk Public Schools (Maury, Granby, and the Academy at Rosemont). Jene' has been a PTA officer for the past nine years, including serving as PTA (PTSA) President for five years at two different Norfolk schools.

With three children currently in Norfolk Public Schools, Shawn and his family are deeply invested in the success of our Norfolk community and the school system. As the Scoutmaster for Troop 1, he has spent years leading Norfolk's youth by example. While some may view the Ward 2 School Board seat as a simple political hand-off between friends aligned with the status quo, or a career milestone to pile onto a resume, Shawn views the school board through the lens of placing families first, establishing accountability and providing transparency to Norfolk’s families.

Shawn is seeking election to the Norfolk School Board to finally give all Ward 2 families a seat at the table and provide a consistent voice from the perspective of those who are actually affected by School Board decisions. Shawn will replace the board’s posture of "non-interference" with clear and professional operational oversight. He is the only candidate proposing a full administrative audit of every school board program to fully align all resources toward the goal of education. Shawn has pledged to oversee an aggressive parental outreach and establish a PTA in every Norfolk Public School within his first year on the school board.

The Norfolk School Board requires leaders with experience in leading and planning around complex systems and processes. Shawn learned to lead on the decks of Navy warships and sharpened his ability to collaborate while serving on military planning teams at the highest levels.  Shawn is prepared and ready to represent Ward 2 families. 

Campaign Pillars

Families First

The primary responsibility for the education of children resides within the family. School Board members must keep this in mind when making decisions which affect Norfolk families.

Accountability

Everyone has a role in the educational process for our children and we must all be accountable. This includes every board member, every administrator, every teacher, every parent and every student.

Transparency

Parents should not have to file FOIA requests to know what is happening in the classroom, how tax dollars are spent, or how decisions are mande. I will advocate for "open-book" as the board's default framework.