I am Nicole Cole, a School Board member from the Battlefield District for Spotsylvania County Public Schools (SCPS). Thank you for supporting this annual Juneteenth program on behalf of and for efforts toward strengthening public education advocacy in Spotsylvania and across Virginia. 

 

My purpose for running and now serving as an SCPS School Board member were mainly to (1) advocate for and provide resources and opportunities through public education that benefit the lives of students in Spotsylvania, and (2) ensure our public school students have access to the best quality education that our community can afford. Since I started my service on the Board in January 2022, these efforts have been thwarted by elected officials and now staff who seek to undermine the provision of public education throughout Virginia.

 

Realizing there’s an impact I can have on public education and this community outside of the confines of the Board, I felt an event to bring the community together in a positive way - in support of education and public education advocacy was necessary. Juneteenth was most appropriate as we celebrate FREEDOM on this day! Today I want to acknowledge the need to continually advocate for a number of FREEDOMS we all have Constitutionally and by law on this day, specifically: 

• The FREEDOM of SPEECH 

• The FREEDOM and right to a FREE Public School Education

And since our community needs to come together on a consistent and regular basis to maintain these freedoms, I plan to continue this event annually. 

 

So again, thank you for your support now and moving forward. Please enjoy yourself on this Juneteenth, meet new people, support the black-owned vendors here, find joy, laugh, sing a little, and dance a lot!

 

Sincerely, 

The Honorable Nicole T. Cole

Spotsylvania County Public Schools

School Board Member, Battlefield District