Diane Raulston, a former member of the Prince William County School Board, died on April 24, the school division announced Wednesday. Raulston represented the Neabsco District from 2016 to 2023, serving two terms after winning election in November 2015. During her tenure, she was known to advocate for children and families. “It was an honor to serve with Diane Raulston. She represented the Neabsco district with distinction. She cared deeply about the children in our county and fought relentlessly for equity and inclusion,” Dr. Babur Lateef, chair of the School Board, said in a school division news release. “She served during the pandemic and made difficult decisions that had positive impacts on our school system. Student success was the centerpiece of all of her work.” Raulston served on the School Board during a time of significant student growth in the county. During her tenure, the school division opened nine schools, including Covington-Harper, Innovation, John D. Jenkins, Kilby and Kyle Wilson elementary schools, Potomac Shores Middle School, Colgan and Gainesville high schools and Independence Nontraditional School. While on the board, Raulston advocated for higher teacher and staff compensation, increasing on-time graduation rates, expanding Career and Technical Education programs and enhancing parent and community engagement. Specific to her district, Raulston worked to ensure accreditation of all Neabsco schools and to increase pre-K spots for Neabsco students. “Ms. Raulston was more than a School Board member – she was a mentor, a friend and a fierce believer in the power of public education to change lives,” said Tracy Blake, Raulston’s successor as the Neabsco District representative on the School Board. Blake, who is now the vice chair of the board, went on to say the two were both “Midwestern Catholics" connected by their shared faith and deep love for their community. “She saw something in me before many others did and she never let me forget my work or my responsibility to serve,” Blake said. “Her legacy lives on in every child she fought for and in the leaders she helped shape. I will miss her voice, her wisdom and her unwavering belief in second chances.” In addition to her service on the School Board, Raulston contributed to numerous local organizations, including the Dale City Civic Association and the Prince William County Disability Services Board. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on May 9 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manassas.
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