Building a Brighter Future: Your Democratic School Board Candidates!
This November, the Algonkian and Sterling districts have the opportunity to re-elect two of Loudoun’s strongest voices for public education – April Chandler and Arben Istrefi, and the Broad Run and Dulles Districts can elect two newcomers to continue the work of their Democratic predecessors – Ross Svenson and Jon Pepper.
Loudoun’s School Board has continuously been targeted by Republicans at the state level and locally, but our Democratic majority has held strong. We have the opportunity to elect these four outstanding candidates to continue to ensure that our schools reflect the values of our community.
If you don’t have a school board race in your district, learn more about April, Arben, Ross, and Jon, and please consider donating and/or volunteering to protect our pro-public education school board majority.
School Board races will not list the “D” by the candidate names on the ballots, so handing out sample ballots in these four districts will be absolutely critical to their success, so please consider signing up for a shift (or three!) at early voting or on Election Day. It could be the most consequential volunteer shift that you do! Check our Linktree for links to all the signups.
Get to know these terrific candidates and prepare to hold on to our Democratic majority on the School Board…
April Chandler - Algonkian District
April Chandler is running for her second term representing the Algonkian District. She is a parent of an LCPS graduate and a current LCPS student, an educator with a background in bipartisan government relations, and a long-time Algonkian community volunteer and advocate. First elected to the School Board in 2023, she has already delivered results as a School Board member – passing a fully funded budget two years in a row, leading the unanimous passage of the Secure Gun Storage Notification Resolution, facilitating the end of seclusion as a discipline practice, and building consensus to enable the School Board to pass Collective Bargaining.
April believes that public schools are for everyone and that excellent schools depend on excellent educators. She is committed to supporting healthy school climates that are safe and welcoming for every student, while also maintaining Loudoun’s culture of excellence and building strong communities through engaged families.
Her policy priorities reflect this vision. April is working to ensure that school facilities are safe and maintained fairly, while expanding mental health supports and key security enhancements. She is focused on recruiting and retaining the best professionals in the region by providing competitive wages and fostering a supportive, collaborative culture. April is also committed to ensuring students have access to cutting-edge academic, athletic, and extracurricular opportunities, and to pursuing innovative programs and strong community partnerships that strengthen Loudoun schools for the future.
Arben Istrefi - Sterling District
Arben Istrefi is also running for his second term, representing the Sterling District. Arben, a first-generation American and English Language Learner, brings both personal experience and professional expertise to his service on the School Board. A tech education executive, entrepreneur, nonprofit founder, Harvard Business School graduate, and 2023 Northern Virginia 40 Under 40 honoree, Arben has dedicated his career to building opportunities for others. Now, as the Sterling District’s representative on the School Board, he continues to fight to make sure every student has the tools they need to succeed.
Arben’s priorities center on boosting student achievement and advancing equity, bringing specialized programs to eastern Loudoun, and ensuring that Loudoun remains a place where excellent educators want to teach. He has also worked to limit the impact of power lines near schools to keep students and staff safe.
During his time on the School Board, Arben has already delivered results. He secured a free after-school program pilot for five Sterling elementary schools, expanded the International Baccalaureate program at Park View High School, and funded additional Title I positions and flexible staffing to support students with the greatest needs. He also helped raise teacher pay, strengthening Loudoun’s ability to attract and retain high-quality educators.
Arben Istrefi is committed to ensuring that Sterling families and students have every opportunity to thrive. His leadership is rooted in lived experience, innovation, and a deep belief in public education as the foundation of strong communities.
Ross Svenson - Broad Run District
Ross Svenson is a first-time candidate, running to represent the Broad Run District. Ross is a proud parent, Loudoun-raised, and committed advocate for public education. Having grown up attending LCPS schools and later coaching the community swim team in Broadlands, Ross knows firsthand the value of strong schools in building strong communities. As an attorney and former legislative aide to U.S. Senator Mark Warner, he has fought for fairness and worked to secure funding for public education – experience he’s ready to put to work for Broad Run families.
Ross’s priorities include advancing holistic, evidence-based education, strengthening student career pathways, ensuring safe and supportive learning environments, and giving educators the resources and respect they need to succeed. He understands that excellent schools depend on excellent teachers, and he will fight to make sure Loudoun recruits and retains the best professionals.
On the School Board, Ross will champion investments in Loudoun’s cutting-edge academies and special programs, including the new Academy of Global and Linguistic Studies. He will prioritize career and technical education, with a focus on expanding opportunities through the new Transition Center serving students with disabilities. He will also push for competitive salaries and sustainable working conditions for educators, provide targeted instructional resources to narrow the achievement gap, and support robust athletics, arts, and extracurricular programs that allow every student to thrive.
With deep roots in the community and a strong record of advocacy, Ross Svenson is ready to deliver results and put Broad Run students first.
Jon Pepper
Jon Pepper is also a first-time candidate, and he’s running to represent the Dulles District. Jon is a veteran educator and proud parent of two children currently attending Loudoun schools. He has over 20 years of experience as a teacher, coach, and school administrator, and he knows firsthand what it takes to create strong schools that serve every student. Jon holds master’s degrees in both curriculum and instruction and educational leadership, and in addition to teaching high school science, he also trains math and science teachers nationwide on how to integrate technology into their classrooms.
Jon’s top priorities include recruiting and retaining excellent educators, expanding STEM and career/technical pathways, keeping students safe at school, and promoting inclusive communities where every child belongs. He believes Loudoun’s reputation for excellence depends on supporting the people who make it possible – our teachers – and ensuring that students have access to the opportunities they need to succeed.
As a proud longtime union member, Jon will work hand in hand with educators on the School Board to support collective bargaining rights and strengthen teacher autonomy. He will advocate for rezoning plans that keep students and communities together from kindergarten through high school, and he will work to expand programs that meet the needs of all Loudoun’s learners – whether it’s supporting Title I schools with aftercare, strengthening the Transition Center, or ensuring our Academies remain cutting-edge. He will also prioritize robust academics, athletics, and extracurriculars so that every student has a chance to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
Jon Pepper brings both the classroom experience and leadership skills that Loudoun needs. As a parent and longtime educator, he is ready to deliver results and keep Dulles schools strong for years to come.
What About the Other Districts?
In case you’re wondering why we have only four School Board races this November, here’s the back story. The November 2019 election resulted in just two of the nine School Board members having prior experience on the Board, which made for a steep learning curve. As a result, in 2021, the General Assembly passed legislation to implement staggered School Board terms beginning with the 2023 election. Winning candidates in that year’s races for the Broad Run, Algonkian, Dulles, Leesburg, and Sterling district seats would serve two-year terms, and candidates elected to the Ashburn, Catoctin, Little River and At-Large seats would serve the normal four-year term. Beginning with this year’s races, all School Board terms will be four years, with elections held biennially to maintain the staggered system.
