On Monday, March 26, the PWC GOPwill hold a meeting. The subject of this meeting will be the selection of the PWC school board candidates for the party’s endorsement. To receive the PWC GOP’s endorsement, the entire committee must vote for the candidate. Thus each committee member needs to know about the candidates from each district. So we must review the credentials of all the candidates.
I live the Brentsville District, and I am particularly interested in who is running from my district. Since we must start someplace, let’s start our review in Brentsville District.
We have several candidates (news reports here and here) from Brentsville District that have announced for the School Board.
- Milt Johns, a local attorney and currently Brentsville District’s representative on the School Board, has declared his intention to run for Chairman of the School Board. So far, Johns seems to be running unopposed. Johns is hard working, conservative, and quite popular (supported by the rest of the current board). Because he regularly works with the PWC GOP, party members already know him. The PWC GOP will likely endorse him without much fuss.
- Desi Arnaiz, a retired military officer and local business man, has declared his intention to replace Johns as Brentsville District’s representative on the School Board, and he is already campaigning energetically. For example, Arnaiz has a excellent website and an impressive list of endorsements (See his web site.). As a businessman, Arnaiz’s can make the case that he understands the need for workers who are excited about learning. Because Arnaiz has been a reliable GOP party worker for years, most regular party members know him. So he also has an excellent shot at receiving the party’s endorsement.
- Gil Trenum could, however, throw a monkey wrench into Arnaiz’s plans. Trenum also wants to be Brentsville District’s representative on the School Board, and he also has excellent credentials. Although Trenum is a relatively new arrival, Trenum supported Cory Stewart’s successful campaign for Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors. Trenum’s hard work gained the notice of several important PWC GOP officials. Trenum is a system engineer for SAIC and a lieutenant commander in the Navy reserves, has several children in the PWC school division. He can be expected emphasize a successful career, his understanding of the school division’s problems at a personal level, and his personal commitment to resolving those problems.
Although either Arnaiz or Trenum would likely do an excellent job, I am giving my endorsement to Desi Arnaiz.
- Arnaiz is not by any means a reluctant candidate. Although a position on the school board only pays $12,000 per year, Arnaiz is working hard to get the job. Arnaiz know the importance of job, and he wants it done right.
- As a business owner and GOP committee member, Arnaiz has a long history of positive involvement in Prince William County. Arnaiz is the better known quantity.
- As a former senior military officer and a businessman, Arnaiz understands how a budget works. Although the PWC school division does a relatively good job of controlling its finances, we are entering a period of declining budget increases. The experience Arnaiz can bring to this problem could be critical.
- Arnaiz understands the purpose of education; he knows that education helps to prepare a whole person. Our schools provide us knowledge and skills, help fashion our morals, and shape our attitudes. Schools even feed us and teach us what to eat. Arnaiz can demonstrate he understands how children should be educated, and he has good ideas on how to make improvements in PWC Schools.
