With all of our precincts now reporting, we have a solid lead with 60% of the vote in Virginia Beach! My opponent, Chris Arney, called me today and graciously offered his congratulations. The campaign is now over, and we won!

I want to publicly thank some key people. Without them, this campaign would not have been successful:

My grandmother, Donna Freeman. At my launch party, in the midst of elected officials and other leaders, I introduced her as the most important person in the room. She was, and has always been so important to me in my life. Without her, I don’t believe I would have the heart and mind to serve others. She also helped get this campaign off the ground at the very start. Thank you, grandma.

Dominic Melito. Dominic truly was there for me every step of the way during this campaign. From his encouragement at the beginning, to working the polls with me at the very end, Dominic deserves a great measure of credit for our victory yesterday. Beyond being there for me and my campaign, Dominic aided our great pro-education candidates for City Council and School Board as Chair of the Virginia Beach Education Association Political Action Committee of Educators (VBEA PACE). I’m thrilled that every VBEA PACE endorsed candidate won yesterday. It’s a great victory for public education in Virginia Beach, and we have Dominic to thank. Thank you, Dominic.

Brent McKenzie. Brent currently serves on the School Board representing the Rose Hall District. When he told me he wasn’t running for reelection, and encouraged me to consider running, I first thought he was joking. Turns out, he wasn’t. If it wasn’t for his encouragement, his example, and his support, we would not have gone far. With Brent leaving the area next year, we are losing a great civic leader in Virginia Beach, and he will be missed. Thank you, Brent.

Tyra Fitch. As Chair of the Virginia Beach Democratic Committee, Tyra worked tirelessly on behalf of all our Democratic candidates, national and local, and the result was the most coordinated effort to elect Democrats in Virginia Beach that we have ever seen. Thank you, Tyra.
My Volunteers. From helping at events, to working the polls in Election Day, I am so deeply grateful to every person for every minute they spent moving this campaign forward to victory. Thank you to each and every one of you.

My Donors. It’s hard to talk about campaigns without talking about how important those making financial contributions are. From business cards, to large 4×8 signs, the dollars donated to the campaign made it all possible. Without the support of those who contributed, we would not have been able to reach voters throughout the city. Thank you to everyone to made a contribution.

My opponent, Chris Arney. By running a good campaign, Chris made it clear that if my campaign was going to be successful, we would have to organize and work hard. There’s no better motivation to work harder than when your competition is out there working hard too. I want to thank Chris for a respectful campaign focused on the issues, and wish him all the best.

There are so many others that I could thank for making this victory possible, but naming each person would be impossible. Thank you to everyone who supported this campaign. It means more to me than I can express. I truly could not have done this without you.

I look forward to serving the people of Virginia Beach as a member of our School Board, and working to ensure we are providing every student with an opportunity to succeed.

Thank you,

 - Joel

P.S. Despite our best efforts, we need some help covering the final costs of the campaign. If we can raise $250, we’ll be covered. If we don’t, I’ll cover it personally. If you’re willing to help me out, please click here or the button above to donate.

“In Rose Hall, Joel McDonald Jr., offers a refreshing depth of knowledge. He articulately argued the case for closer coordination with teachers on curriculum changes. At 28, McDonald has already worked for the schools six years; he recently started an IT consulting business. As a board member he would be an advocate for the division’s certificate and workforce readiness programs; he’s a graduate of one himself.” – The Virginian-Pilot, October 15th, 2012

This endorsement echoes what supporters of Joel McDonald have been saying from day one of his campaign for Virginia Beach School Board. Joel McDonald has the experience and dedication needed to provide every student an opportunity to succeed in Virginia Beach.

Special thanks to Sharon Felton for Virginia Beach School Board for the pictures!

The Virginia Beach Education Association serves as a voice for public education in Virginia Beach; advances the cause for public education for all individuals; promotes professional excellence among teachers and education support professionals; strives to gain the recognition of the basic importance of the professional educator in the learning process; protects the rights of teachers and education support professionals and advances their interests and welfare; and promotes and protects human and civil rights. The Political Action Committee for Education endorses and supports candidates who will be advocates for public education in Virginia Beach. As a former member of the VBEA, I am honored to have their support.

Progressive Majority’s mission is to elect progressive champions. They accomplish this by identifying and recruiting the best progressive leaders to run for office; coaching and supporting their candidacies by providing strategic message, campaign, and technical support; and bringing new people into the political process at all levels. As someone who has been working for progressive candidates and causes for the last few years, I am thrilled to have the support of Progressive Majority. With their support, I know we will run a competitive campaign from now until November 6th.

RSVP Below 

Please join Joel McDonald, some very special guests, and fellow supporters to help shift his campaign for the Virginia Beach School Board into high gear!

When
Saturday, August 4th, 2012
2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

Where
A.J. Gators Sports Bar and Grill
3908 Holland Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Click here for Map & Directions 

Appetizers and soft drinks will be provided. Cash bar available.

All who attend will have an opportunity to win door prizes!

Recommended contribution for this event is $20, but all are welcome to attend whether a contribution is made or not.

Hi, my name is Joel McDonald, and I’m running for the Virginia Beach School Board, in the Rose Hall District.

I’m running to be an advocate for our schools. As a graduate of Bayside High School, right here in Virginia Beach, and as someone who has spent the last years in our schools as a Data Support Specialist and School Improvement Coordinator, I believe in quality public education. I’m also a proud member of the Virginia Beach Education Association, where I’ve worked to ensure our schools have the resources that they need.

We need people on our school board who will stand up for the quality of our schools, and who understand that that quality can’t be measured in arbitrary numbers. Students need to be prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st Century, which go beyond the memorization of facts or the ability to complete a multiple choice test.

We can be proud that Virginia Beach is already on the path of making sure our students can meet those challenges; however, we need to provide the leadership and the resources to continue that progress.

We need to treat our teachers and education professionals fairly, and reward for experience. The morale of educators has an impact on the opportunities for success of our students. Fair treatment is more than competitive pay. We need to do more to reach out to educators, to bring them to the table, let their voices be heard, and treat them like the professionals they are.

We should do all we can to make sure that we’re providing opportunities to every student, no matter what path they might be on. Not every student will go to college or a university immediately upon graduating from high school, and many will need help paying for the rising cost of higher education.

That’s why, in addition to their core studies, students should have the opportunity to gain industry certifications so that they are both prepared for higher education and the workplace of today, and tomorrow.

This campaign may very well be about a choice between two beliefs: the belief that quality public education can be a launching pad for lifelong success for every student, and the belief that quality education should only be available to those who can afford it.

I stand on the side of quality public schools and quality public education for every student.

To win this election, I am going to need your help to reach out to voters all across Virginia Beach. We’re going to need to purchase signs, stickers, mailings, and more. All of this takes money, and it is only be made possible through the generous support of people like you. Please make a financial contribution to this campaign. You can visit my website at www.votemcdonald.org, to learn how to make a contribution either online or through the mail.

Together, I know we will be successful in building a brighter future.

Thank you.