CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia— Former CBS19 news anchor Bob Beard has announced his campaign for the Albemarle County School Board from the Samuel Miller district.
If elected, Beard will succeed Graham Paige. Paige is retiring after ten years on the board. Beard’s twin sons attended Albemarle County Public Schools, from kindergarten through high school.
“The school board needs more input from ACPS parents,” Beard said. “We need to ensure that Albemarle schools remain the best in Virginia and that every kid, no matter their circumstances, succeeds academically and graduates on time with the knowledge and skills to be a productive member of society. It is critical to hire and retain the best teachers and staff in the nation to keep ACPS moving forward.”
Graham Paige is endorsing Beard’s campaign. “I thank Bob for stepping up to run for this important office in our community,” he said. “I support his candidacy and know that he will be a valuable member of the board.” The Samuel Miller district includes the communities of Ivy, Batesville, Red Hill, Esmont, Covesville and North Garden.
Beard said his priorities on the Board include improving literacy and math skills in elementary schools, closing the achievement gap, valuing ACPS teachers and staff with raises and support, modernizing school buildings and listening to families and the broader community on how ACPS can improve.
Beard has lived in Albemarle County for more than twenty years. He owns a small real estate investing company. He was co-President of the PTO at Ivy Elementary (Meriwether Lewis) and served on various committees, including search committees that recommended new Principals at WAHS and Ivy ES. He has been a substitute teacher at local middle and high schools. Beard is a former news anchor at CBS19 in Charlottesville and worked in public affairs as a spokesperson and science writer at the UVa Health System. He is currently a member of the Albemarle Co. Equalization Board, which hears appeals of property values from county taxpayers. Beard is a member of the Blue Ridge Mountains Rotary Club,a volunteer advocate for abused and neglected children at Piedmont CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates,) a volunteer at the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps (MRC),former board member of the Senior Statesmen of Virginia and a current vice-chair of the Albemarle Democrats. Beard was a broadcast journalist in Washington, DC at CNN, NBC News, WRC-TV and Reuters. He earned degrees from Vanderbilt University (BA) and Georgetown University (MA).