Leslie knows that attracting and retaining good teachers is the foundation of a successful public school system. As Charlottesville and surrounding areas continue to grow and become more expensive, ACPS must ensure that teachers can afford to live in the beautiful community they teach.

As gun violence continues to ravage communities across the country, Leslie is committed to finding local interventions that keep students safe. From increased mental health services to strengthening collaboration with law enforcement partners, keeping students safe is Leslie's top priority.

The primary goal of any public school system is to  prepares its students for life after graduation. Leslie believes that this goal too often leads schools to focus on students attending college, while ignoring other important routes like trade school and apprenticeships. Leslie will ensure that every student — regardless of their chosen path —feels supported and ready to enter adult life after graduation.

Leslie knows that standardized testing can play an important role in measuring student success, but she also believes that it is a flawed metric that fails to appreciate the highly individualized nature of education. She is committed to finding assessment tools that adapt to the needs of students and meaningfully prepare them for success after graduation.

Leslie intimately understands the importance of having strong mental health resources in our schools, especially as rates of mental illness continue to increase among school-aged children. In the wake of Covid-19 and amidst rising rates of cell phone usage among students, Leslie knows that schools cannot be only places of education, but extensions of the community and its support network.

With the federal government's recent attacks on DEI initiatives in education, it is more important than ever to have local leaders who will protect the diversity that makes ACPS so special. Leslie is committed to defending and uplifting members of marginalized communities, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive as a student and beyond.