Rebecca Berlin

My children each went to Albemarle County Public Schools through high school. Both received an excellent education. While they were growing up, I traveled a great deal for work, so I was often not able to volunteer at their school or attend school events. When the White Hall representative position became available, I was drawn to submit my application to pay it backward and forward. It was the right decision!

I value the deep diversity we see across the district. It is amazing to me that in our district of about 14,000 students, we have more than 80 languages spoken and students who represent nearly 100 countries. I also value the incredible teachers and staff we have. They always go the extra mile for our students and families. Whether holding a coat drive, learning two new curricula in two years, providing amazing family night programming, or anything in between, they always lead with what is best for students.

One of the hardest things about making decisions for ACPS is that, as School Board members, we must balance many things — budget and cost of services, impacts on students, impacts on teachers and staff, and more. In the end, all decisions must come down to how we improve student learning and how we move closer to closing the achievement gap.

Our top priorities right now include closing the achievement gap, with a focus on reading and math for all students, and including students with IEPs and 504 plans; continuing to increase the retention rate of teachers and staff while also hiring employees who better represent the diversity of our students; and updating our infrastructure — both renovating current school buildings and building for growth. All students, teachers, and staff members should be in schools that have adequate classroom or office space; rooms with privacy for intervention, counseling, mental health support, special therapies, or coaching; and access to natural light.

I am excited that we are opening ACE Academy – Lambs Lane Campus and Mountain View Upper Elementary for the 2026-27 school year. I am hopeful that we can continue to update our current schools and build new schools that are needed. It is important to me that I leave future school board members an infrastructure that reflects the current and future needs of students and staff.