#12. Academic Excellence Over Politics. Why School Board Matters More Than Ever?

Learning by Design

Guest: Amy Riccardi, Loudoun County School Board Candidate (Sterling)

What if people were making the most critical decisions affecting your child’s education, you’ve never heard of—and never voted for?

In this powerful episode, Krishna Cart sits down with Amy Riccardi, a Loudoun County mom, educator, and school board candidate, who is sounding the alarm about what’s happening in public education. From spiraling budgets and lagging test scores to controversial books and a growing mental health agenda, Amy shares why she’s running as an independent—and what families, taxpayers, and teachers need to know.

You’ll learn how school boards actually work, why Sterling schools are falling behind, and what parents can do right now to get informed, involved, and influential. Whether you’re in public, private, or homeschool, this conversation is your essential School Board 101—with honesty, clarity, and purpose.

Listen in to hear: ✔️ Why $24,000 per student isn’t yielding better outcomes ✔️ The truth about controversial books and school libraries ✔️ What “counseling time” really means for K–5 students ✔️ How parents can hold schools accountable—without being political ✔️ The roadmap to restoring academic focus in a divided district

In Episode 12, Krishna Cart speaks with Amy Riccardi, a Loudoun County school board candidate, about the growing gap between what families expect from schools and what’s actually happening inside them.

Amy shares her journey—from shocked parent to independent candidate—after discovering troubling ideological content during her children’s online learning. They dive deep into the structure and power of local school boards, the disconnect between spending and performance, the politicization of education, and the need to refocus on academic results.

This episode offers a candid look at what’s driving school policy—and why your voice as a parent has never been more important.

⏱️ Episode Chapters & Notes

TimeTopic01:20Introduction to Amy Riccardi and episode themes03:15Amy’s story: Parenting during COVID and the moment that changed everything05:50What sparked her candidacy and why she chose to run as an independent10:00Amy’s six core leadership values—from compassionate candor to fairness15:35School Board 101: What they actually do and why it matters18:00Breaking down the budget: $24,000 per student—and rising29:20Performance crisis in Sterling Park: The data no one’s talking about34:35Amy’s top three priorities: academics, accountability, and apolitical decisions38:00The Book Debate: Diversity vs. explicit content—where’s the line?46:00Mental health vs. academics: What's being sacrificed for SEL time50:00Teacher voices: Why many feel silenced and unsupported57:50Advice to high schoolers: Life skills, trades, and real career prep1:06:53Elections and engagement: How parents can influence school policy1:12:00The legacy of leadership: What history teaches us about vigilance