NEWS RELEASE
(ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Virginia)—Katrina Callsen, who was first elected to the Albemarle County School Board in November 2017 and re-elected four years later as the representative for the Rio Magisterial District, said she is resigning from the board. Callsen is a candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates in this November’s election.
Callsen served this year, from January to August, as Chair of the School Board and previously was Vice-Chair. She made her resignation announcement during the board’s business meeting on September 14. Callsen acknowledged the time constraints of a state election and said that allowing someone else to serve the Rio District is the best step for the community.
“I hope many apply for this position,” Callsen urged, pointing out that service on the school board is “a wonderful opportunity to give back to the community and to effect positive change as an advocate for public education.” She added, “The more people invest in education, the better for all.”
In addition to serving the school board as Chair, Callsen is a member of the CATEC governing board and serves on the school board committees for state legislative affairs and environmental sustainability.
The current School Board Chair, Judy Le, said applications to represent the Rio District are being accepted through Friday, October 13. School board members will interview candidates at a special public meeting later in the month and will hold a public hearing on the appointment of Callsen’s successor at their November 9 meeting. Following the public hearing, board members are expected to make an appointment, also on November 9. The first meeting in which the new representative will be seated will be on December 14.
In accordance with state law, the Rio seat will be on the ballot during the next general election on November 5, 2024, and the winner of that election will serve the remainder of Callsen’s second term, which expires on December 31, 2025.
A candidate for the school board is required by state code to be a qualified voter and a bona fide resident of the magisterial district they are seeking to represent, in this case the Rio District. An employee of the school division can apply for appointment or run for election to the school board, provided that, if selected or elected, the employee resigns their position with the school division before being seated as a member of the school board.
The Rio Magisterial District School Board Member Application is available on the School Board homepage. Applications should be emailed to Clerk of the School Board, Ms. Christine Thompson, at cthompson@k12albemarle.org or mailed to the Clerk at 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, VA 22902. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on Friday, October 13.
“On behalf of our entire board,” Le said, “I want to offer our deepest appreciation to Ms. Callsen for her strong support throughout her tenure of equal educational opportunities for all students; the exceptionally high-performance standards and accountability for which she was such a consistent advocate; and, as a school parent as well as school board member, for her focus on meaningful family engagement with schools and teachers.”
Pictured: Katrina Callsen
CONTACT: Phil Giaramita, Public Affairs and Strategic Communications Officer
PHONE: 434-972-4049