Thank you for visiting my website. I have the right combination of professional and personal experience to be a member of Charlottesville’s School Board. I ask to be one of your four choices on Tuesday, November 8th.
The School Board must be in the community listening to parents, students, non-profits, businesses, and other stakeholders, especially teachers, to ensure we make decisions on the best possible information available. I am an attorney and mother, I do not believe something merely because someone tells me something, I investigate to uncover the layers, ask questions and critically analyze all of the information. I will have high expectations for the policies we implement; the policies must have measurable objectives related to the strategic plan and be cost effective.
Please email me if you have any questions or concerns or suggestions jennifer@jennifermckeever.com
Thank you for your support.

Supporting teachers has been a focus of mine since I started my campaign.
I have heard the issues:
1. fair and comprehensive evaluations and
2. listen to teachers when considering new ideas
3. support African American teachers
4. provide a culture of support in each building, not just from the administration office.
I am proud of CPACE’s endorsement of me. CPACE is the Political Action Committee of the Charlottesville Education Association.
Thank you for your support. I look forward to being an advocate for the students and their teachers as a school board member.

The LWV asked us to provide responses to the following questions.
BIOGRAPHY: (Occupation, education, experience – 50 words maximum)
Mother of 3, wife of an engineer by day and volunteer firefighter by night, attorney, and graduate of UVA, PVCC, and WAHS, Jennifer McKeever has been a leader in Charlottesville since she returned in 2005. She chaired the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, CDBG Task Force and local Democratic Committee.

How will you address the two issues you think are most critical for the Charlottesville City Schools over the next four years? (100 words maximum)
Two issues: providing excellent instruction in a tightening budget climate and recruiting and retaining excellent teachers. Budgeting requires a determination of priorities. I will ensure the dialogue on priorities will include many voices, including those not routinely involved.
Teachers tell me they want to be accountable. I want a comprehensive evaluation system that respects teachers for the variables they face in the classroom. I will ensure continuity since the current school board is getting results. Results include narrowing the gap between the economically advantaged and disadvantaged and preparing high school graduates for their future.

The Hook asked candidates some questions, we had to answer very briefly, see my responses below:
Name: Jennifer L. McKeever
Age: 39
Occupation: Attorney
Pet peeve in education: The test driven environment that rewards success on a flawed test rather than educating and engaging children.
Skills that make you suited to be on the School Board:
I am tenacious for an effective process that includes people who are not routinely involved in the decision making. I am also an effective negotiator among competing interest groups.

What do you do better than your opponents? I reach out to various constituencies to identify a range of solutions and collaborate on seemingly intractable problems to find common ground.

Best decision the School Board has made the past year:
Implement the most recent strategic plan with clear objectives and metrics to determine whether the objectives are being met.

Worst? I think the School Board should continue to meet twice a month.

Book every child should read by age 12:
Any book that gets a child to read the next book!

What are you reading now?
Multiple books, among them: “Mis-education of the Negro” and “Elegance of the Hedgehog”

Educational hero: My mom, Judy McKeever. While working multiple jobs and caring for two children, she went to school and obtained her nursing degree, ultimately lifting the family out of poverty with her degree.

Two school board candidates forums are scheduled.

One is this Thursday (10/20) from 6:30-8:30 at City Council Chambers and is sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the Dialogue on Race. The forum will be televised on Channel 10 and live-streamed over the web.

The next forum is scheduled for Wednesday October 26 at 7PM at Bavaro Hall (the Curry education building at UVA). Bo Sykes from the Newsplex is moderating.

Please join us!