Alex E. Vargas is a candidate for Accomack County School Board – District 9. His name will appear on the ballot on November 7, 2023.

Vargas is running against Malcolm F. “Pep” White in the District 9 race.

10 On Your Side reached out to all of the candidates running in this race, with a request for a bio and a list of questions to answer. If you do not see the candidate listed with a profile, we did not receive one.

Candidate Name: Alex E. Vargas

Age: 36

Race: Accomack County School Board – District 9

Candidate Website: Facebook

Biography: Alex Vargas was born in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and moved to Accomack County at age eleven in 1998. He attended, and graduated from, Mary N. Smith Middle and Nandua High, where he competed on the football, baseball, and wrestling teams, as well as the chess club.

Holding a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Christopher Newport University,
Vargas is a proven leader in his field, with a 12-year career in software engineering. Presently
working at a senior level on the video player team at Fubo, one of the leading Internet TV
streaming companies, he routinely solves complex problems and contributes on innovative
projects that deliver value to over 1 million subscribers.

But Vargas’ commitment goes beyond his professional endeavors. He is a devout Christian,
leading musical worship at a thriving church in Exmore. His proficiency in a range of
instruments, including guitar, drums, bass guitar, and piano, is a testament to his passion for
music, worship, and providing value to the community around him.

Family remains at the core of Alex’s values. He cherishes his role as husband to Rachel and as
a father to two beautiful daughters, Wren (7) and Mae (4). His calling as a parent further
amplifies his commitment to enhancing the education system in Accomack County and
protecting its students from that which would cause them harm.

Vargas is a firm believer in honesty, integrity, and the potential of Accomack County schools to
be among the best in Virginia. In both his professional and personal life, Vargas exemplifies
leadership, dedication, and a profound commitment to the community that shaped him.

Why are you running for this office?

As a product of the schools in this county, I care greatly for their success, from both an alumnus
and civilian perspective. I want to see my former schools thrive and the students coming out of
them equipped to carry our country forward into a bigger and brighter future.
What students in this county are taught matters to all residents, even if their kids are no longer
in the school system. Often in our culture, policy and worldview taught in the schools eventually
flows out to the rest of the public sector. These young learners will one day hold the levers of
power, and what they are being taught right now will ultimately affect the governmental policies
by which you and I have to live. This includes what we are allowed to say and not say, as well
as whether our mothers, daughters, and sisters are forced to share public bathrooms and locker
rooms with members of the opposite sex.

All across the country, we are witnessing school systems devolving from reputable academic
institutions into what more resembles political activist training camps promoting the latest edition of marxism, identity politics, or transgender ideology. The latter was knocking at the doors of our schools a few years back when Accomack’s School Board was considering adoption of then-Governor Northam’s transgender policy. The policy would have forced female students to share bathrooms, locker rooms, and athletic competitions with male students. It also would have coerced speech by threatening use of disciplinary measures against students and staff who
refused to use preferred pronouns.

Despite my imploring District 9’s representative to vote ‘no’ on the issue, he abstained. While I
hold no ill will towards our representative, I was disappointed in what felt like an abdication of
representation and leadership. To abstain from a vote as critical as the transgender bathroom
issue, to me, was to allow other district representatives to represent District 9. The abstinence of
voting on this issue meant District 9 effectively had no representation on the matter, and that is
unacceptable.

In matters of discerning truth and student safety, we need leaders who demonstrate conviction
and courage in the face of public pressure. If it means doing the right thing for our students, I
am prepared to be the unpopular person in the room. Our young leaders are vulnerable and
need grown-ups in the room who will champion their needs. I would be honored to be their
advocate.

What is the most important issue facing Accomack County Public Schools and what is your position on it?

The most critical issue facing Accomack County Public Schools (ACPS) is a lack of effective
leadership from the school board. This issue manifests in three key ways:

Firstly, the school board seems content with the minimum standards for accreditation, which has
led to ACPS lagging behind other counties in various areas. I believe we need a board that sets
a vision for excellence and actively supports our dedicated teachers and students.

Secondly, there is a concerning imbalance in authority between the school board and the
administration, creating a lack of transparency and accountability. It’s crucial that the board
exercises its proper oversight role to ensure effective communication and collaboration.

Lastly, the school board’s limited engagement with our schools needs to change. I propose
adopting a policy that grants board members administrative privileges to visit schools at any
time, so board members can gain real-time feedback from teachers, students, and staff. This will
help us better understand what’s working and where improvements are needed, ensuring our
educators feel heard, supported, and well-equipped.

In summary, I believe that ACPS’s most pressing issue is the need for strong, visionary
leadership on the school board. I am committed to addressing these issues and working
collaboratively to improve our schools for the benefit of our students and community.

How do you feel about the politicization of public education?

I’m deeply opposed to the politicization of public education. The role of public schools should be
to educate the masses so America has a populace who is capable of thinking critically and
moving the country forward in economic development and technological innovation. When the
classroom is politicized, that goal is undermined. Instead of being a citadel of thought
leadership, schools become training camps with the goal of producing activists who will mobilize
later in life to win the partisan power struggle. Instead of teaching students to pursue truth, they
are taught to comply and conform to the latest propaganda pushed by those currently in power.
This is wrong and defeats the purpose of what public education should be.

How will you still value constituents and politicians with whom you disagree?

I am firmly committed to valuing and respecting the input of all my constituents, regardless of
whether we share the same views. Listening to and addressing their concerns is a fundamental
aspect of my role as a representative.

When it comes to working with politicians who hold differing opinions, my approach is to
collaborate with anyone who approaches the issues in good faith. While I won’t compromise on
matters of deep moral conviction, I believe in fostering respectful dialogue to find common
ground and make progress in enhancing our education system.