ABOUT ME
Hi, I'm Andrew
SAFETY
The SAFETY of our students matters! We need to use the metal detectors that are currently at the schools that are not being used. We need to train the security guards that are currently working in the schools on how to de-escalate situations with students.
STUDENTS
Our STUDENTS matter! What they learn, matters. They need to learn the basics of reading, writing, and math. They need to learn the good, the bad, and the ugly of our country. They don't need to be taught to be divided but rather united! Also, we need to utilize some of the services that the city provides to help with the mental health of the children.
PARENTS
Lastly, PARENTS, you matter! Your voice matters. Let me be your voice. Your decisions on what our students learn matters! I want your input and opinions. I strongly encourage you to come to the school board meetings and speak. Let us know what we're doing right and wrong. I don't want you to feel like your words are falling on deaf ears.
WHERE I COME FROM
I was born in California and then at a staggering six weeks old moved to Africa because my dad was in the Marines Corps. From there we moved to North Carolina. North Carolina was mostly where I lived with my mom and step-dad but we traveled a lot. I graduated from Richlands High School, N.C. in 2006. I mostly played basketball in school but was also part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and was one of the leaders in that group.
WHAT GOT ME HERE
I enlisted in the United States Air Forces at 19 years old. I signed up to be a police officer in the Air Force. I was stationed at Hill Air Force Base in Layton, Utah. I was in the Air Force for 5 1/2 years . During that time I did a deployment to Bagram, Afghanistan where I did mostly flight line security. After I returned from Afghanistan I married my wife, Naomi. I was also deployed to Kuwait where I did flight line security for Kuwait City International Airport. While I was at my base I did normal police duties.
After my enlistment was complete with the Air Force, Naomi and I moved back to North Carolina to be closer to family. I worked at the Sampson County Detention Center as a Detention Officer for almost two years. Naomi and I then decided to move to Virginia because there were better opportunities for us. I worked for the Hampton Police Division and then moved to the Virginia Beach Sheriffs Office. I have been at the Sheriffs Office since December of 2015.
Now to the reason why I'm running for School Board. In November of 2021 my youngest son's school sent out an e-mail for the parents to have the option to opt-out of a book they were reading. The book is called "Ghost Boys". I read the book in its entirety and was upset that our school board would allow the teaching of malice towards police officers, students to bring guns to school to intimidate bullies, and racial division. I went to the School Board and asked for this book to be removed from the curriculum. I was told that this book would not be removed from the curriculum. I felt like I wasn't heard and that not only my children, but all the children didn't matter. This is why I'm running for School Board. The safety of ALL of our children matters. What they learn matters. What the parents have to say matters.