Stuban Might Run for Fairfax County School Board

Steve Stuban, whose family was at the center of a school discipline policy contoversy this year, has filed preliminary paperwork for an at-large seat on the Fairfax County School Board.

Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity says he will speak before the Fairfax County Republican Committee at its meeting in Centreville tonight, asking members to give Stuban an endorsement.

Herrity (R) said other local officials, including Providence District School Board member Patty Reed, are planning to ask the committee to support Stuban as well.

County school board positions are non-partisan.

Stuban's son Nick, a 15-year-old sophomore, committed suicide in January after he was forced, through the county's disciplinary process, to transfer schools.

Since then, Stuban and his family have gained the support of many residents, advocates and officials, who pressured the school board to rewrite the system's disciplinary procedures.

The school board , though some advocates say some policies — — still don't go far enough.

Herrity said Stuban is "a lot more" than the issue that got him involved in school politics. Stuban "clearly understands the need for discipline reform better than anyone."

"I made the mistake everybody else did and said, he's going to be a one-issue candidate," Herrity said. "But he's much deeper than the discipline issue."