Three Candidates to Run for Harrisonburg School Board
Voters will decide the three open school board seats in the upcoming general election on November 3.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Administration
Live Poll
Should school board members prioritize student screen time management over other educational support services?
Harrisonburg residents will head to the polls on November 3, 2026, to cast ballots for three available positions on the City School Board. Voters are permitted to select up to three candidates to fill the upcoming vacancies.
Why it matters
The election comes as two longtime board members prepare to vacate their seats, necessitating new leadership for the division. Deb Fitzgerald is seeking a return to the board to address these transitions after previously serving eight years in the role.
The school board is currently managing a shift in accountability standards, as the state reduced the time frame for factoring English language learner scores into results from 11 semesters to just three.
The players
Deb Fitzgerald
She is a candidate for the school board who previously served eight years on the board and nearly 10 years on the city planning commission.
Emma Phillips
She is the current chair of the Harrisonburg City School Board.
The details
Candidates seeking election include Deb Fitzgerald, who brings nearly 10 years of experience on the city planning commission alongside her prior board service. Meanwhile, the school division has established a task force to examine student technology use and screen time.
Timeline
The general election for school board seats takes place on November 3, 2026.
A school division task force is expected to present its findings on screen time in January 2027.
Culture Shift
This election cycle unfolds against a backdrop of increasing scrutiny regarding administrative accountability and student digital engagement. As districts align with the Virginia Department of Education accountability standards, local leadership must navigate both accelerated performance timelines and modern technology policies.
Residents can select up to three candidates on the November 3 ballot to shape the future direction of local schools. Following the election, the new board will likely weigh in on recommendations from the current task force regarding daily student screen time limits.
The takeaway
Voters should review candidate platforms carefully as the district prepares to transition leadership and implement new technology policies. Staying informed on school board elections ensures that community priorities regarding student performance and screen time are represented.
What happens next
A school division task force will present its findings on student screen time and technology use in January 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest updates in Administration for local school operations.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Whsv.
Live Poll
Should school board members prioritize student screen time management over other educational support services?
