Fred Brewer, Jr. is a candidate for Gloucester School Board At Large. His name will appear on the November 4, 2025 General Election ballot. Brewer, Jr. is running against S. Nicole McPherson.
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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. The bio is unedited; this is what the candidate submitted. If you do not see the candidate listed with a profile, we did not receive one.
Name: Fred Brewer, Jr.
Age: 70
Website: www.fredbrewer4schoolboard.org
Party: Independent
Biography
I am currently serving as an interim member (At-Large) of the Gloucester County School Board, having been appointed in March of this year to fill an unexpired term. My experience in school board governance also includes twelve years as a member of the Hampton City School Board; five of those years as the Board Chairman.
My wife and I are the parents of four grown children, all of whom attended public schools, K-12. Since 2019, Gloucester County has been home for us. Two of our grandchildren are students here in GCPS.
I grew up in Virginia Beach, graduating from Kempsville High School, and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in psychology from Old Dominion University in Norfolk.
Retired since 2016, my career in retail management was spent managing stores for Hofheimer’s, Inc and Rack Room Shoes.
Why are you running for office?
I am an ardent supporter of public education in Virginia as evidenced by my twelve years of service on the Hampton City School Board. I recognize the importance of good school board governance to the success of any school district and, by extension, to the strength and vitality of the community it serves. I hope to utilize my experience toward the continuous improvement of Gloucester County Public Schools.
If you are elected, what will be your top priority in office?
Like many of our traditional institutions, the reputation of public education has been tarnished somewhat in recent years. Accountable, transparent, and student focused school board governance can help to maintain — and rebuild as necessary — public confidence in our system of public schools. I want to be a part of that effort.
Do you believe partisan politics have a place in schools?
Politics has always, and will continue, to play a role in public education. After all, the Board makes policy on behalf of the community and spends taxpayer dollars. So, of course it’s political. But there’s a reason school board elections in the Commonwealth of Virginia are required to be nonpartisan. And that’s because the extremism of “partisan politics” is disruptive, if not destructive, to the learning environment. And that’s why so-called “partisan politics” should have no place in our schools.
What say should parents have in the curriculum taught to their child?
School Boards MUST recognize and respect the primary and essential role of parents in the education of their children. We must insure transparency and parental involvement in all decisions affecting the education, health and wellbeing of every child.
How do you work with others you don’t agree with?
School Board governance is a team sport . . . good listening skills required.
I understand the importance of respect for opposing points of view. Therefore, I am committed to working in a collegial and professional manner with fellow board members, school staff and community.
