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Falls Church City School Board member Anne Sherwood launched her re-election campaign Aug. 24, asking voters for a full term as the district enters a new chapter under Superintendent Dr. Terry J. Dade and confronts questions about artificial intelligence, enrollment and funding.

Sherwood kicked off her campaign at the Cherry Hill Park pavilion, surrounded by supporters, neighbors and families. She joined the board after winning a special election last November and is now seeking one of four seats on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Five women are competing for those positions: Sherwood, fellow board members Kathleen Tysse and Lori Silverman, and challengers MaryKate “MK” Hughes and Sharon Mergler. School Board Chair Dr. Tate Gould is not seeking re-election.

Sherwood said the campaign has so far remained friendly, with candidates attending and supporting one another’s kickoff events.

From law and policy to the School Board

Sherwood’s family moved to Falls Church City about 11 years ago, drawn largely by its public schools. Her three children now attend the district’s elementary, middle and high schools, giving her a parent’s view of education at every level.

Originally from West Virginia, Sherwood attended Washington and Lee University before working in social-policy research and consulting at Abt Associates in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She later earned a law degree from Duke University, clerked for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and practiced at WilmerHale in Washington.

She is now pursuing graduate studies in education policy. Her school involvement has included PTA work, the FCEPTA International Night Committee, the Choral Boosters Board and the Advanced Academics Advisory Committee, which she co-chaired for two years.

Sherwood said elementary and secondary students face different concerns, and her family’s experience across all three school levels helps her understand those distinctions. She sees the board as a link between families and the district’s Central Office, even when board members are not directly responsible for day-to-day operations.

A year of major decisions

Sherwood was the only candidate to step forward for last year’s special election, despite knowing she would need to campaign again less than a year later to remain on the board.

During her first year, the board adopted a new cellphone policy, increased community engagement, navigated a difficult budget cycle and selected Dade as superintendent.

Sherwood said the superintendent search included extensive community input and a rigorous interview process. She described Dade as a strong match for the values and priorities board members heard from residents.

With that leadership transition underway, Sherwood said she wants to preserve the district’s momentum while maintaining academic quality and preparing schools for future challenges.

AI policy rises on the agenda

Developing a district policy for artificial intelligence is among Sherwood’s leading priorities. She raised the subject with superintendent candidates and said any rules must be flexible enough to keep pace with rapidly changing technology.

The board has discussed, but not finalized, the possibility of creating an AI advisory committee. Sherwood said community expertise and guidance developed by institutions such as George Mason University could help shape the district’s approach.

Academic integrity is an immediate concern because students can use AI to cheat. But Sherwood said the issue extends beyond misconduct: Schools must protect students’ ability to think independently while also teaching them to use technology creatively and responsibly.

She argued that the district cannot simply exclude AI because it is already becoming part of education and the workplace. Instead, students need clear expectations about when and how it may be used.

That tension was echoed by Mary Ellen Henderson eighth-grader Helen Cline, a Sherwood supporter. Cline said AI can give students useful ideas but creates unfairness when classmates use it to cheat. She also said the middle school’s rule requiring phones to remain in lockers during the school day is reasonable.

Inclusion and individual needs

Sherwood said the district must remain inclusive while giving students support suited to their individual learning needs. That includes children who need additional assistance, students ready for acceleration and those who fall between those categories.

She also wants the district to sustain a positive climate for teachers and other staff members.

Her emphasis on inclusion extends to neurodiverse students and those with Individualized Education Programs. Sherwood said the district must adequately fund specialized personnel and continue improving services.

While serving on the Advanced Academics Advisory Committee, she helped draw attention to “twice exceptional,” or “2E,” students who qualify for both gifted and special-education services. A subcommittee and two advisory committees were formed to examine those students’ needs, and the work has continued for about two years.

Sherwood said some improvements will require board policy, while others depend on clearer communication about available services and more feedback from parents.

She also reaffirmed her support for diversity, equity and inclusion, describing those principles as established values within Falls Church City schools. Her goal, she said, is to ensure every student is respected and served.

Another uncertain budget season

Sherwood warned that the district could face another challenging budget year amid uncertainty over city revenue.

She has been examining whether the School Board and City Council can better align their budget timelines so each body understands the other’s priorities earlier in the process. She said both governing bodies value cooperation, but their coordination can continue to improve.

Preserving small class sizes remains one of her priorities. She also pointed to rising demand for specialized instruction, growth in the English for Speakers of Other Languages population and an increase in students eligible for free or reduced-price meals.

Those needs, she said, must be addressed without sacrificing the district’s broader academic standards.

Supporters highlight service and experience

At the campaign launch, neighbor and volunteer Torrance Hart described Sherwood as hardworking, curious and willing to listen to parents with different perspectives.

Another longtime friend, who asked not to be identified, said Sherwood had volunteered in the schools for nearly a decade and brought an organized, measured and analytical approach to emotionally charged issues.

Cline, whose family lives near Sherwood’s, said she believes the incumbent performed well during her first year and would be effective over a full four-year term.

Sherwood framed her campaign around public service, careful listening and civil discussion. Her goals include preparing for enrollment growth, responding to increased instructional needs, strengthening preparation for life after high school and ensuring students and employees have an inclusive, supportive environment.

“I’ve helped us begin this new chapter,” she told supporters, “and I want to continue to build on this momentum.”