About Jackie
Jackie Lohr is a lifelong Rockingham County resident, farmer, and dedicated School Board member for District 1. A proud graduate of Turner Ashby High School and Virginia Tech, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Food Science, Jackie has built her life around family, service, and education.
As a mother of three children who attended Plains Elementary, J. Frank Hillyard Middle School, Broadway High School, and Massanutten Technical Center (MTC), Jackie understands firsthand the importance of strong schools and supportive teachers at every stage of a child’s education. Her experience as both a parent and community volunteer has shaped her belief that every child deserves access to an excellent education, no matter their background or circumstances.
Beyond the School Board, Jackie is a full-time farmer and a volunteer school bus driver, stepping in to drive when there is a need in the community. Her involvement in 4-H, FFA, and local agricultural education reflects her commitment to the next generation of leaders.
Since joining the School Board, Jackie has been a steady, community-driven voice—listening to parents, supporting teachers, and making thoughtful decisions that put students first. She believes children should never be used as political pawns, but instead recognized as individuals with limitless potential who deserve advocates in every seat at the table.
With a proven record of leadership and a passion for serving others, Jackie continues to work for schools that reflect the values, hopes, and future of Rockingham County.
KEY INITIATIVES
Putting Students First
Every decision Jackie makes starts with one question: What is best for our students? She is committed to putting children first and supporting their growth Jackie believes children should never be used as political pawns. She makes decisions based on what is best for students, not party politics. As a non-party-affiliated leader, she emphasizes local control, parental input, and practical solutions that work for Rockingham County families. When reviewing policies, books, or programs, Jackie carefully weighs the impact on students, relying on expert guidance and community feedback. She also ensures resources are used responsibly, keeping the focus on classrooms, teachers, and programs that deliver real results. Through principled, hands-on leadership, Jackie works every day to give every student the chance to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Strong Career & Technical Education (CTE)
Every student’s future looks different, and that’s a strength we should celebrate. Jackie is passionate about expanding hands-on learning opportunities through programs like Massanutten Technical Center. By strengthening pathways in agriculture, healthcare, trades, and technology, Jackie will ensure students graduate prepared for the future. She has been actively involved in supporting Massanutten Technical Center’s new building and facilities, helping to ensure students have modern, high-quality learning spaces. Even as Harrisonburg has decided to withdraw from some regional programs, Jackie is working to maintain strong partnerships and maximize opportunities for Rockingham County students. As our superintendent says, the goal is for every student to graduate enrolled, employed, or enlisted—and strong CTE programs are key to making that vision a reality. Jackie believes these programs give students real-world skills, open doors to careers, and provide meaningful experiences that complement traditional academics.
Safe & Supportive Schools
Every child deserves a safe, welcoming, and supportive school. Jackie champions mental health resources, Special Education support, safety improvements, and programs like “Building Bridges” to help every student succeed Jackie works to create safe, welcoming, and supportive learning environments for all students. She champions mental health resources, safety initiatives, and programs that meet the diverse academic, social, and emotional needs of every child, including those in Special Education, ensuring each student can learn, grow, and feel valued. Recognizing that support needs span all grades, she highlights programs across the district: Strong Starts helps PK–2 students manage emotions and succeed, Rockingham Academy provides alternative education for middle and high school students, and the new “Building Bridges” pilot in the Broadway area supports 3rd–5th graders who need additional guidance to stay on track academically and socially. Jackie actively advocated for this program and continues to monitor its progress, ensuring it effectively bridges the support gap for students in these critical grades. Jackie also serves on the Shenandoah Valley Regional Program for Special Education and works closely with Special Education students, bringing firsthand experience to her policy decisions. She has supported practical safety improvements, including the installation of keyless entry systems to secure school entrances, providing peace of mind for students, staff, and families. Through hands-on involvement—like field trips, school events, and volunteer activities—Jackie gains direct insight into student needs. By combining personal engagement with thoughtful policy, she ensures Rockingham County schools remain safe, supportive, and focused on giving every student the opportunity to thrive.
Supporting Teachers & Staff
Teachers and staff are the heart of our schools. Jackie advocates for competitive pay, resources, and professional development so educators can focus on what matters most—helping students succeed Beyond policy, Jackie supports teachers in practical ways. She earned her CDL to volunteer as a school bus driver, gaining firsthand insight into the challenges teachers and staff face. She frequently serves as a chaperone on field trips and is currently developing a training program for other chaperones, helping to ensure teachers have the support they need to safely and successfully guide students on educational experiences. Through these efforts, Jackie demonstrates her commitment to giving teachers the tools, resources, and assistance they need to help every student succeed.
Parental & Community Involvement
Strong schools are built on strong partnerships. Jackie values listening to parents, encouraging community engagement, and keeping decisions transparent and accessible. She also rolls up her sleeves—whether it’s driving a school bus when there’s a need or serving in local organizations—to stay connected to families and schools Schools thrive when families and the community are part of the conversation. Jackie believes in listening to parents, encouraging engagement, and making school board decisions transparent and accessible. She also knows that true leadership means rolling up your sleeves—whether that’s volunteering to drive a school bus when there’s a need, chaperoning field trips, or spending time in classrooms to better understand the challenges students and staff face. Jackie’s commitment extends far beyond the boardroom. She serves on the Massanutten Technical Center Foundation, is deeply involved with FFA, and plays an active role in the Rockingham County Fair. Her history of service runs deep—from organizing Vacation Bible School at her church, to founding and leading the Plains 4-H Club, to continuing today as a hands-on supporter of programs that connect schools and the community. This lifelong record of community involvement reflects Jackie’s belief that strong schools are built on strong partnerships between families, educators, and the broader community.
Fiscal Responsibility & Accountability
Strong schools require smart, responsible spending. As a fiscal conservative, Jackie has helped craft eight county school budgets, ensuring taxpayer dollars are used wisely while prioritizing classrooms, teachers, and students Strong schools and strong budgets go hand in hand. As a proud fiscal conservative, Jackie has helped build eight Rockingham County Public Schools budgets, consistently ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used wisely and effectively. She has been a leading advocate for raises and extended contracts for teachers and staff—including Special Education teachers, aides, custodial and clerical staff, and agricultural educators—while also working with division leadership to maximize efficiency across the school system. Her approach balances responsibility with results: supporting staff pay and student programs while avoiding unnecessary spending. Jackie believes deeply in accountability, transparency, and keeping the focus on classrooms and learning, ensuring that every dollar supports student success.
FAQ's
Why are you not endorsed by the Republican Party?
Jackie is running as an independent, student-first candidate—fiscally conservative, community-minded, and focused on education, not politics School board races in Rockingham County are non-partisan by law. Jackie chose not to pursue a party endorsement because she believes her responsibility is to represent all students, families, and taxpayers—not a political organization. As a lifelong conservative, farmer, and fiscal watchdog, Jackie shares many values with Republicans in her community: she has helped craft eight balanced budgets, fought for teacher and staff raises while protecting taxpayer dollars, and consistently stood for common-sense, student-focused policies. But she also believes that when it comes to schools, kids should never be treated as political pawns. By staying independent, Jackie can work with anyone—Republican, Democrat, or independent—if it means doing what’s best for students and keeping schools strong.
How are book challenges handled in Rockingham County, and what role does the School Board play?
Jackie supports the clear, transparent process already in place, which involves parents, librarians, and a content review committee—not politics In Rockingham County, parents have several options when it comes to their child’s access to books. If a parent has concerns, they can speak directly with the school librarian and request that their child not check out certain titles or types of books. Parents may also formally challenge a book, which triggers a review by the division’s content committee. The content committee—made up of teachers, administrators, and parents—reviews challenged books using specific, board-approved guidelines. This ensures decisions are consistent, transparent, and grounded in educational standards. The School Board’s role is not to read and approve individual books, but to establish meaningful policies that guide this process and balance the rights of parents with the professional expertise of educators. Jackie supports this system because it keeps parents involved, ensures books are age-appropriate, and keeps decisions focused on students—not politics.
Why didn’t you support adopting Governor Youngkin’s Model Policies as written?
Jackie supported strong local policies that already protected students and parents—she opposed adopting a one-size-fits-all state template that duplicated and conflicted with Rockingham County’s existing policies In September 2023, while serving as School Board Chair, Jackie voted for a motion that directed the superintendent to align Rockingham County’s existing policies with the state’s 2023 Model Policies where appropriate—without replacing strong local policies already in place. Rockingham’s policies already addressed most of the areas required under Virginia law, including nondiscrimination, bullying prevention, student privacy, and maintenance of student records. Following that vote, Jackie made multiple efforts to bring the board back together to continue reviewing the remaining sections of the model policies and to carefully revise local policies as needed. However, some board members refused to meet, preventing that continued work from taking place. When the new board voted in January 2024 to adopt the model policies in full, Jackie voted no—not because she opposed parental rights, but because the proposal created overlapping and conflicting local policies. She raised those concerns publicly and was assured they would be reviewed before implementation. That review never took place. The motion itself did not include language to address those overlaps or commit to future revisions, which made it procedurally incomplete. As someone who believes in clear, transparent governance, Jackie could not support a motion that lacked the language necessary to follow proper parliamentary procedure and ensure the policies would work as intended. Jackie’s position was about protecting parents, students, and staff through strong, local decision-making—not handing Rockingham County’s policies over to a one-size-fits-all template from Richmond. She continues to support parental rights, transparency, and accountability at the local level—because decisions about our schools should be made here at home.
What’s going on with MTC, and where do you stand?
Jackie has been deeply involved with Massanutten Technical Center for years—as a board member, community volunteer, and advocate for hands-on learning. With major facility and funding decisions ahead, her experience with both MTC and school budgets is vital to keeping programs strong and taxpayer spending responsible Massanutten Technical Center (MTC) is one of Rockingham County’s greatest educational assets—helping students gain hands-on skills and prepare for real-world careers. As the most senior member of the school board, Jackie has a long history of supporting MTC and understands both its value and its challenges. There are two major issues currently shaping MTC’s future: the withdrawal of Harrisonburg City Schools from the joint program and the question of building new versus renovating the existing facility. When Harrisonburg withdrew, it not only affected governance but also placed a $6.5 million state grant for a new facility at risk. Jackie immediately took action, reaching out to state-level education leaders and working behind the scenes to ensure Rockingham County could continue to move forward with the funding. Thanks to her proactive leadership and strong relationships, that investment was preserved—keeping critical support in place for local students. As MTC looks ahead, the cost of renovation is estimated at around $30 million, but state code limits how extensive those renovations can be before requiring full compliance upgrades. That means a renovated building would not meet all modern code standards and would have limited room for growth. A new, state-of-the-art facility, while more expensive at approximately $70 million, would allow for expansion and serve students for decades to come. Jackie believes decisions about MTC’s future must balance student needs, fiscal responsibility, and long-term vision. With years of experience building school budgets and deep understanding of CTE programs, she is uniquely equipped to help guide this process responsibly. In Jackie’s words: “We need to make smart, forward-looking decisions that serve our students today and tomorrow. I’m committed to ensuring MTC continues to lead in technical education—for our community and for our future workforce.”
Why do you want to continue serving on the school board?
Because every student deserves someone in their corner — someone who believes in them, listens, and shows up for them Every single student I meet reminds me why this work matters. Whether it’s in the classroom, on the bus, or at an FFA event, I see the potential in our kids and the difference that encouragement and opportunity can make. The FFA Motto includes the line “Living to Serve,” and that’s more than a phrase to me — it’s how I try to live my life. I want to be part of building a community where people are kind, where we help each other, and where every student has the support they need to thrive. As a parent, that’s who I want making decisions for our schools — someone who shows up for our kids, listens to families, and leads with common sense and conservative values. That means keeping decisions local, being responsible with taxpayer dollars, and focusing on what matters most — educating our students and supporting the teachers and staff who serve them every day. Serving on the school board gives me the opportunity to do just that — to serve our students, our parents, and our community with both heart and accountability.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Come Be a Part of the Conversation October 7 at Hillyard Middle School
I believe every voter deserves the chance to hear directly from the people who want to represent them. Please join me for a community conversation on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Hillyard Middle School Cafeteria.
Come be a part of the conversation — ask questions, share your thoughts, and learn more about my priorities and vision for Rockingham County Public Schools.
An invitation was extended to my opponent, but he declined to participate. I look forward to an honest and meaningful discussion with those who care deeply about our schools and community.
BHS Homecoming
Parade
Celebrate school spirit at the Homecoming Parade on Thursday, October 17! Enjoy floats, marching bands, and local organizations, and join the fun by walking in the parade with me.
Bring your family, friends, and festive energy — let’s make this homecoming unforgettable!
