Fairfax Dems Chair Statement on Court Rejecting Petition by “Republican Operatives” to Recall School Board Member Elaine Tholen

See below for a statement by Fairfax County Democratic Committee Bryan Graham on a court rejecting the effort by Republicans to “recall” Fairfax County School Board member Elaine Tholen. And WHY are Republicans trying to do this? Basically because the Fairfax County School Board acted responsibly, in the middle of a pandemic, allowing students “to choose between learning fully online or a hybrid option that included both online and in-person instruction.” That, of course, is not a grounds for “recall” – and the court responded accordingly.

“I am pleased the special prosecutor and the court have swiftly rejected the petition to remove Elaine Tholen. Disagreements in matters of policy are not valid reasons for removal according to our law. Republican operatives are leading these so-called ‘bi-partisan’ groups seeking to overturn the democratic election of our officials. The pandemic has caused a difficult situation for all of us, and our school board has done a tremendous job balancing the need to keep our community safe while serving the educational needs of our students and providing programs like free breakfast and lunch for students. Our school board is comprised of thoughtful leaders who care deeply about providing quality education for all students, and they are working hard now to ensure safe resumption of in-person instruction.”