Every child deserves a high-quality education, regardless of their background, immigration status, or where they live. To achieve this, June Prakash will work to close achievement gaps by investing in early childhood education, academic support, and after-school programs. With experience working with kindergarteners, she understands the importance of meeting students where they are academically and providing the tools they need to grow. She will advocate for expanding access to advanced coursework so all students—regardless of ZIP code—have opportunities to take AP, IB, and language immersion classes, ensuring every student has the chance to challenge themselves. Personalized learning will be a priority through technology integration, individualized instruction, and specialized programs for diverse learning needs. Having taught online during COVID, June knows firsthand the importance of connecting with students and providing tailored learning experiences. She will also prioritize student mental health by increasing access to counselors, social workers, and school-based mental health services, recognizing that student well-being is key to academic success. School safety will be addressed with a holistic approach, reviewing security measures while fostering environments that prevent bullying and violence. Additionally, June is committed to recruiting and retaining talented educators by advocating for competitive salaries, professional development, and policies that support teacher well-being. As an educator herself, she understands how vital it is for teachers to feel supported, ensuring they have the resources to thrive and provide the best education for students.

Every child deserves a high-quality education, no matter their background, immigration status, or where they live. As leaders, we must ensure that our schools are well-funded, inclusive, and safe learning environments that prepare students for success in an evolving world.

To achieve this, we will:

• Close Achievement Gaps by investing in early childhood education, targeted academic support, and after-school enrichment programs. “I know the importance of meeting students where they are academically—whether they come to school already reading or just starting to recognize letters—and providing the tools and support they need to grow and thrive.”

• Expand Access to Advanced Coursework so that all students—regardless of ZIP code—have opportunities to take AP, IB, and language immersion classes. Every student, no matter their background, deserves the chance to challenge themselves academically and prepare for future success.

• Support Personalized Learning through technology integration, individualized instruction, and specialized programs for diverse learning needs. I understand the importance of tailoring instruction to fit students’ unique learning styles and abilities, especially after teaching online during COVID and finding creative ways to build meaningful connections with my students.

• Prioritize Student Mental Health by increasing access to counselors, social workers, and school-based mental health services. The well-being of students is critical for academic success, and we must ensure they have the support they need to feel safe and heard.

• Ensure School Safety with a holistic approach that includes reviewing building security measures while fostering supportive environments that address bullying and violence prevention.

• Recruit & Retain Talented Educators by advocating for competitive salaries, professional development opportunities, and policies that support educator well-being. As a educator, I know how vital it is to feel supported and valued in the classroom. We must ensure that our educators have the tools and resources to thrive so they can, in turn, provide the best education for our students.

As a dedicated advocate for public education and a two-time elected leader in the Arlington Education Association, June spent her career fighting for students, teachers, and families. On the School Board, she will prioritize responsible financial management, educator support, and equitable opportunities for all students. Every dollar spent should directly benefit students and educators, which is why she will push for fair funding, transparent budgeting, and efficient spending that prioritizes high-impact programs and addresses disparities in under-resourced schools. Students thrive when their teachers are valued, and June successfully lobbied in Richmond for guaranteed annual raises, expanding paid parental leave from two to eight weeks, and protected planning time. She will continue advocating for policies that attract and retain top educators. Additionally, investing in universal preschool and innovative early education programs will ensure that every child starts school ready to succeed, and June will work to expand access to quality early learning opportunities for all families. As AEA President, she helped secure the most comprehensive educator contracts in Virginia in 47 years, and she remains committed to bringing that same passion and results-driven leadership to the School Board. With your support, we can build a stronger, more equitable school system that meets the needs of every student and educator.

Responsible financial management is essential to ensuring that every dollar spent in our schools directly benefits students, teachers, and the broader community. We must prioritize efficiency, transparency, and equity in how we allocate resources, ensuring that funding decisions align with the district’s Strategic Plan and the real needs of our schools.

To achieve this, we will:

• Advocate for Fair Funding by working with the County Board and state leaders to secure the necessary resources for public education.

• Ensure Transparency in Budget Processes by making financial decisions accessible and understandable for parents, educators, and taxpayers.

• Allocate Funds Where They’re Needed Most by prioritizing high-impact programs, closing funding gaps, and addressing disparities in under-resourced schools.

• Improve Efficiency Without Compromising Quality by streamlining operations, reducing waste, and leveraging innovative solutions to maximize resources.

By ensuring fiscal responsibility and strategic investment, we can build a stronger, more effective school system that meets the needs of every student and educator.

Strong schools are built on strong relationships, and engaging parents, educators, and the broader community is essential to creating a supportive, inclusive, and responsive learning environment. As a former PTA President at Ashlawn Elementary, June has worked to enhance communication, foster collaboration, and address real community needs. She rewrote PTA bylaws to ensure inclusivity, nearly doubled the operating budget, provided interpreters for meetings, and funded teacher grants for supplies and professional development. She also led initiatives like sponsoring community-building events, reviving the "share table" to donate unused lunch selections to AFAC, installing a water-filling station with the Girl Scouts, and paying off student lunch debt for two years in a row. As a School Board Member, June will continue prioritizing open communication, stronger partnerships with PTAs, local businesses, and advocacy groups, and accessible channels for families and educators to voice concerns. By strengthening collaboration and ensuring transparency, Arlington Public Schools can serve the needs of our entire community.

Strong schools are built on strong relationships. Engaging parents, educators, and the broader community is essential to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and responsive school environment that prioritizes student success.

To achieve this, we will:

• Enhance Communication and Transparency by ensuring families, teachers, and community members have clear, accessible channels to stay informed and engaged in decision-making.

• Strengthen Collaboration by working closely with PTAs, PTSAs, local businesses, and advocacy groups to provide additional resources and opportunities for students.

• Address Community Concerns by holding regular forums, listening to feedback, and taking action on issues that impact students, educators, and families.

By prioritizing openness, inclusivity, and collaboration, we can build a school system that reflects and serves the needs of the entire community.