Hartwood seat goes to Hazard

BY AMY FLOWERS UMBLE

Stafford School Board members chose a county planning commissioner and lawyer to join them on the board. Tuesday night in a special meeting, Holly Hazard was appointed to serve as the Hartwood District representative. The Hartwood seat had been vacant since Doreen Phillips resigned Nov. 1.

After Phillips resigned, 17 Hartwood residents stepped up to apply for the seat. The School Board winnowed that list to five people, who were interviewed Tuesday night.

Hazard will serve for the remainder of Phillips’ term, which ends next year. An election  for the seat will be held in November.

Following the interviews, the board members met in closed session and then appointed Hazard, who has served on the Stafford Planning Commission since 2010. During her interview with the School Board, Hazard said that she would leave her spot on the Planning Commission if chosen as the Hartwood District representative.

A local attorney, Hazard is also the president of the Parent Teacher Organization at Margaret Brent Elementary School. She has two children who attend Stafford County schools, one in fifth grade and one in seventh.

Hazard runs her own law office and has previously worked for the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation. She said that teacher salaries and future growth are two of the most pressing issues facing the school division. “I believe a community is defined a lot by its schools,” she said.

School Board Chairwoman Stephanie Johnson said that it was hard to choose from so many qualified candidates.

“I would really like to thank all 17 people who came forward,” Johnson said. “It is encouraging that so many folks were interested in filling this position.”

Amy Flowers Umble: 540/735-1973 aumble@freelancestar.com

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