Paid for by Dan Ferraro for School Board
Patrick Hite, Staunton News Leader
Patrick Hite, Staunton News Leader
VERONA — The Augusta County Board of Supervisors and the School Board both have three seats up for election this November.
While the three incumbents for the school board have said they will seek reelection, two of the three board of supervisors members won't be putting their name on ballot next fall.
Butch Wells, who represents the Beverley Manor District, and Pam Carter of the Pastures District both have said they won't run again.
"I’m proud of what the board has accomplished during the time I have served," Wells wrote in an email to The News Leader. "And I will remain a vocal advocate for our County Administrator and the entire county staff."
According to the registrar's office, Stephen Grepps is the only candidate so far to declare for Beverley Manor seat on Board of Supervisors. Grepps does have a campaign website set up. According to the site, Grepps lives in Verona. He's running on a platform of transparency, managing taxpayer dollars responsibly and strengthening the local economy.
So far, per the registrar's office, no other candidates have filed for the Board of Supervisors.
As for the school board, all three incumbents — David Shiflett, Middle River; Donna Wells, Beverley Manor; and Tim Simmons, Pastures — have said they will be seeking reelection. Shiflett and Wells confirmed they will be on the ballot through an email to The News Leader. Simmons posted he will be running on his campaign Facebook page.
"I am humbled and excited to announce my candidacy for re-election to the Augusta County School Board," he wrote in a post on Jan. 19. "Serving our community on the School Board has been an honor, and I remain committed to standing up for parental rights, ensuring accountability within our schools, and striving for safer, more efficient, and more transparent processes that benefit students, parents, and staff alike."
Both Wells and Simmons will have at least one challenger, per the registrar's office. John Ocheltree has filed to run for the Pastures seat and Dan Ferraro will challenge Wells in the Beverley Manor District.
Simmons beat Ocheltree, who was the incumbent, in a close election in 2021.
Ferraro is a former special education teacher in Augusta County, per his campaign Facebook page.
"Together we will improve our local schools by placing student outcomes first," he wrote on his page. "We will increase parental input & ensure transparent governance. Our students deserve schools that provide a quality education in Reading, Math, History and true vocational skills."
The general election is Nov. 4. The last day to file to run for office is June 17 at 7 p.m. For more information on how to run visit the Virginia Department of Elections or contact Augusta County's registrar's office by email registrar@co.augusta.va.us or phone 540-245-5656.
— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.