Jennifer S. Franklin
Non-Partisan | Virginia
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Jennifer S. Franklin
Party
Non-Partisan
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
Virginia Beach City Public Schools School Board, District 1
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
Candidate did not provide
WORK & MILITARY
US Navy, 22
AFFILIATIONS
Historic Kempsville Civic Committee, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Virginia Beach City Public School Board Member, 3+
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Terrie Suit - Former Virginia State Delegate
Dan Edwards - Former VBCPS School Board Member/Chair
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (7)
Anne Ferrell Tata (2025)
Kevin Adams (2023)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2023)
Nikki Haley (2023)
Jen Kiggans (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (3)
Bill DeSteph (2020)
Friends of the Elephant (2020)
Republican Women's Organizations (2020)
SELECTED FINANCIAL SOURCE DOCUMENTS
Campaign Finance Report (from Virginia State Board of Elections) - Reporting Period: 09/01/2024 to 09/30/2024 (Amended)
Please note: This information was received by iVoterGuide after panel evaluations occurred and is for educational purposes only.
Campaign Finance Report (from Virginia State Board of Elections) - Reporting Period: 07/01/2024 to 08/31/2024
Selected contributions and expenditures:
- $200.00 contribution from Friends of Kim Melnyk
Please note: This information was received by iVoterGuide after panel evaluations occurred and is for educational purposes only.
Campaign Finance Report (from Virginia State Board of Elections) - Reporting Period: 06/07/2024 to 06/30/2024
Campaign Finance Report (from Virginia State Board of Elections) - Reporting Period: 04/01/2024 to 06/06/2024
Campaign Finance Report (from Virginia State Board of Elections) - Reporting Period: 01/01/2024 to 03/31/2024
Campaign Finance Report (from Virginia State Board of Elections) - Reporting Period: 07/01/2023 to 12/31/2023
Campaign Finance Report (from Virginia State Board of Elections) - Reporting Period: 01/01/2023 to 06/30/2023
OTHER INFORMATION
Candidate participated in Virginia Beach Tea Party's School Board Candidate Forum (09/15/2024)
***Please note: This information was received by iVoterGuide after panel evaluations occurred and is for educational purposes only.***
During the Virginia Beach City Public Schools School Board Meeting on September 24, 2024, candidate seconded the motion to adopt and voted in favor of the Resolution recognizing October 2024 as LGBTQIA+ History Month.
The motion passed, 5-4-2.
***Please note: This information was received by iVoterGuide after panel evaluations occurred and is for educational purposes only.***
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Agree
There are situations where exceptions are necessary, such as when there are risks to the health of the mother or baby, etc.
What role should the school serve in helping a student with an unwanted or crisis pregnancy?
The school’s role in supporting a student facing an unwanted or crisis pregnancy should focus on helping the student continue their education while navigating this challenging situation.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
I am in full support of healthy competition and the ability to achieve the American Dream for all Americans.
What is your position on government funding of public education from Pre-K through college?
I believe a public school system is essential to ensuring all students have access to a quality education. To support this, diverse revenue streams, including government funding, are necessary for K-12 education. However, I view post-secondary education as a personal choice made by students and their families, and therefore, it should not be primarily funded by taxpayers. My own path to higher education involved joining the military for college benefits.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Teachers should be required to instruct students on mandated curriculum even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Disagree
Every family should have access to curriculum options that align with their values. If a teacher or employee feels conflicted between their job responsibilities and personal beliefs, they should discuss the issue with their HR team. I do not support excessive government regulation in every aspect of education and that should be a decision left between the employee and the division.
EDUCATION
Abortion and gender-affirming providers, including Planned Parenthood, should be a resource for instruction or services in the school.
Disagree
Consistent discipline creates a safe and orderly environment, which is essential for student learning.
Strongly Agree
Do you believe print and digital material available or presented to students should be easily accessible for public review, including those without children enrolled in school?
Yes
Educators should give students a thorough education in America's founding documents and cultivate American patriotism.
Agree
I support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
Agree
I support DEI initiatives to the extent that they promote collaboration and respect for all cultures and perspectives. DEI should aim to create an environment where every individual feels valued and has an equal opportunity to contribute and succeed. However, it is crucial that DEI measures are implemented in a way that does not create divisiveness or foster a sense of favoritism. I do not support any initiatives that prioritize one group at the expense of another.
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Disagree
While I may not fully endorse the extent of overreach exercised by the U.S. DOE, I believe that national educational standards are crucial for ensuring a consistent foundational education for all students across the country. The Federal Government should ensure accountability for meeting certain standards and then it is up to the States to to offer additional opportunities and competitive advantages to enhance their own educational systems and prepare students for local and regional success.
Please list in order the following priorities in relation to the role of a K-12 public school (omitting any that do not apply): American History, Art & Music, Civics, Critical Race Theory, Foreign Language, Gender Identity, Information Technology, Language Arts, Mathematics, Personal Finances, Physical Fitness, Political Activism, Science, Sexuality, Social Emotional Learning, Vocational Learning
Language Arts, Mathematics, American History, Civics, Science, Information Technology, Physical Fitness, Art & Music, Foreign Language, Personal Finances, Vocational Learning, Health Education (not sexuality, I prefer the Health/PE classes that I had), SEL/Psychology
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child instead of the bureaucracy, through a program which allows parents the freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Neutral
I would need to get more information and examples of successful implementation before weighing in on that. I do not want to dismantle public education but do find some school voucher discussions interesting.
Which should students have: equity of outcomes or equality of opportunities?
There is no way to ensure equitable outcomes but it is essential to provide equal opportunities and access to resources for all.
Which type of written parental consent should be obtained before students are taught courses such as Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE)? (A) Opt-In. (B) Opt-Out. (C) None.
Opt in.
VALUES
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I was raised in the Church and have a strong, personal relationship with God. I am deeply grateful to my parents for providing a Christ-centered home and serving as exemplary role models. While I consider myself more spiritual than strictly religious, I deeply value the lessons taught in the Bible. I believe these teachings can offer guidance toward leading a good, moral, and fulfilling life. A strong foundation of values that respect others fosters stronger relationships and builds more cohesive communities.
Who is responsible for teaching sexual education to children, and what is the appropriate age when it should be taught?
Age-appropriate education is essential when addressing complex and controversial topics. With younger students increasingly encountering situations involving sexual activity, determining the right time to introduce sex education is challenging. In my own schooling, these discussions typically began in high school, which seemed appropriate at the time. However, with today's greater access to information through the Internet, some argue that earlier education is necessary. I believe that data should guide these discussions, and community feedback should be considered. National standards may not be suitable in this case, as they could limit options for families with differing views, who should have the flexibility to choose the State/Division/Community that aligns best with their values.
If you support the teaching of Sex Ed, please answer the following question: Sexual education should include these topics (list all that apply and add your own, if needed) -- abortion methods and side effects; abstinence; consent; contraceptive methods; human anatomy/the reproductive system; physical and emotional health outcomes; sex acts and pleasures of sex; sexual orientation and gender identity; stages of pregnancy and fetal development
Sex education in schools should be approached from a clinical and health-focused perspective. It is important to cover topics such as the potential consequences of intercourse, human anatomy, reproductive systems, stages of pregnancy, and fetal development. While ideally these discussions would take place at home, this is not always the case for every child. Unfortunately, there are some homes where many foundational pieces are not being provided. Therefore, providing this foundational education in schools ensures that all students receive essential information they may not get elsewhere.
Children have a right to reach maturity without chemical or surgical castration, which would damage their healthy bodies through surgeries and may cause a life-long dependence on cross-sex hormones.
Strongly Agree
Children have the right to be protected from sexual grooming (including drag shows and explicit materials) in schools and libraries.
Agree
To the extent that aligns with their parents values. Schools should not co-parent the kids but not all parents are in agreement on what is appropriate.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman essential to the formation and sustaining of a civil and prosperous society.
Neutral
I don't really like the wording of the question. It seems that the first part of the question does not directly relate to or align with the latter part.
Parents have the fundamental right to raise their child in accordance with their beliefs and values, including the right to make decisions about the child's education and healthcare.
Agree
We need to be careful about the wording of parents' rights because an earlier question mentioned that kids should be able to reach maturity before making any permanent changes to their body There ARE parents who feel like it is their right to make those changes to their children. For the most part, I agree with the statement.
Parents should have full and timely access to any and all records, including school and medical records, associated with their minor children.
Agree
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Agree
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
2014 General Election 2016 General Election 2018 General Election 2020 Republican Primary 2020 General Election 2022 Republican Primary 2022 General Election
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Lean Conservative
I fully support a strong military, capitalism, and the backing of our first responders. As someone who was adopted, I am deeply grateful to my parents and this country for the opportunities I've been given. I also believe in the importance of listening to all constituents and respecting diverse viewpoints.
2ND AMENDMENT
Faculty who are licensed to carry and have had ongoing training should be allowed to carry guns at school in order to respond to an active shooter situation.
Neutral
I believe this is a question that each community should have the opportunity to weigh in on.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
In the event of a pandemic, school districts can mandate whatever health precautions they deem necessary (including masks and vaccines) to protect students and staff.
Neutral
I believe this is a question that each community should have the opportunity to weigh in on.
