Kari E. Scruggs, 38, of Gloucester, has announced her candidacy in the November election for the Abingdon district seat on the Gloucester County School Board.

“I just felt motivated to serve and bring positive change,” said Scruggs about her candidacy.

Scruggs decided to run for school board “to bring back some clear-headed decision making” to the board.

“I truly feel that there’s a lot of divide on the current school board,” she said.

Though she is running in the election, Scruggs does not view herself as a politician. “I’m not a politician,” said Scruggs. “I’m a parent.” She said she believes that politics should not be involved in the schools and the board should do what is in the best interest for students and teachers.

If elected, Scruggs is determined to make students and teachers a priority. She said she will also be “approaching things with a rational mindset.”

Through all of the recent negativity surrounding the school board, Scruggs said that she would like to “focus back on those positives” that are present in Gloucester County Public Schools.

Scruggs said she hopes to represent her district with rational thought, cohesive decisions based on teamwork, solid decision making that puts children, parents and teachers first.

As an active member of the community, Scruggs has coached softball for Gloucester Youth Baseball and Softball and has served on the board of directors for the Hampton Roads Hurricanes’ baseball and softball travel organization. She has also served as the co-chair and treasurer for the Historic Triangle Ducks Unlimited chapter, served on the state council for Virginia Ducks Unlimited and served as treasurer of the Yorktown Foundation Tall Ships Committee.

Scruggs is currently the Director of Retail at Kingsmill Resort and is also the owner and operator of Two River Events, an event planning and coordination business. She holds a bachelor’s of science in kinesiology with a focus on sports management and a business minor from James Madison University. She also has a master’s degree from George Mason University in early childhood education with a concentration in curriculum and instruction for pre-kindergarten-third grade.

Through her candidacy, Scruggs said she has received lots of kindness and support and that it has been very humbling.

Scruggs is the parent of two GCPS students. Information about her candidacy can be found on the Scruggs for School Board Facebook page. She is opposed in the general election by Ted Engquist for the Abingdon District seat.