In the November 2025 local elections in Loudoun County, Virginia, voters chose a new member of the school board in a closely watched race tied to ongoing debates over education policy. Independent candidate Amy M. Riccardi won her seat in Sterling, defeating the incumbent by a narrow margin. Riccardi’s campaign drew attention because she directly opposed a controversial 2021 policy that allowed students to use restrooms and locker rooms aligned with their stated “gender identity,” rather than their biological sex. Riccardi’s platform emphasized revising that transgender access policy, protecting student privacy in sex-segregated spaces, and focusing on academic excellence and school accountability. Her campaign also cited support for a U.S. Supreme Court affirmation of Title IX protections for sex-based distinctions in school facilities and athletic programs.
In recent years, both students and parents Loudoun County have expressed frustration with ideological curriculum and school policies. In fact, Loudoun County teens actively campaigned for Riccardi and other candidates, distributing information and urging voters to support board members who would address concerns about student privacy and policy enforcement. Despite these efforts, the student activists were unable to boost several other candidates they supported. However, Riccardi’s victory will bring at least one new board member willing to focus on issues raised by concerned parents and families in the district.
Meanwhile, several members of Virginia’s congressional delegation and conservative policymakers have continued to spotlight broader concerns about political ideology in K-12 education. Legislation known as the “Say No to Indoctrination Act” was introduced in both the U.S. House and Senate, aiming to prevent federal funds from being used to teach or advance concepts related to gender ideology in public schools. This bill draws upon one of Trump’s 2025 executive orders on stopping “radical indoctrination” in schools. At the same time, national assessments of student performance show continued challenges in core academic areas. Scores from the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress indicate that a large share of students are testing at or below basic levels in reading and math, trends that demand broader attention.
Taken together, the Loudoun County election results and other federal developments show that the fight to end indoctrination in public education across America is far from over! Parents, voters, and even students CAN and DO have influence in local government. Join the Eagles at PhyllisSchlafly.com to find out what’s happening in your area. Again, contact us at PhyllisSchlafly.com, and join us next time for the Phyllis Schlafly Report.
