“Relationships matter!”

Those words define Padreus Pratter. Whether it’s speaking at school board meetings, inspiring students to focus on their future, or being a Prince William County Human Rights Commissioner, he has connected with as many people as possible. Now, he plans to bring his approach to centering relationships to the Prince William County School Board. Not long after he made his announcement of running for the Neabsco School District, Padreus Pratter spoke with the PW Perspective about his journey and preparation to represent the growing community.

“I feel like there’s a greater purpose when people are called to serve,” said Pratter. “Not just here in the Neabsco community, but in our entire county, state or even country . I’m just a vessel to carry the message that all students, regardless of their zip code, deserve a quality education. There is always more work to do in education , and I’m happy about the support I have as I start this campaign. With the relationships we are building, and how we’re listening to the concerns of the community, we will pull together for the benefit of the students.”

Speaking of students, Pratter has made it a priority to include them in his campaign. “One thing that I’m doing when talking to students I’ll ask them, how are they doing, how are their grades? I ask those two questions to every student I meet.”

“They capitalize on the education that is so rich in Prince William County. If we miss those opportunities, we’re missing an opportunity to have the best people represent our community. I’m invested, because it means a better future for them, and for us.”

A Freedom High School graduate named Franklin Asare-Bediako, spoke about how Pratter has influenced his life. “He has done so much for students, and for me personally. As a young Black man in the community, I need to be ready for anything.” He goes on to describe how Pratter encouraged him to go to college, giving him guidance along the way.

Edwin Gonzalez, who was an intern serving alongside Pratter on the Human Rights Division, spoke glowingly about how he believes Prater is in the best position to succeed. “He has the energy that the district, and the county needs. When he spoke to me about the issues that matter most, and that’s Latino issues, I knew that he was the best fit for the school board.”

Former Virginia delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy addressed the urgency of having Pratter elected to the board. “I always think of things in terms of ‘what if’. I think about the high schools on the west side of the county that are overly funded. On the east side, we’re talking about overcrowded classrooms, and kids learning in trailer parks because they don’t have the resources. What if we had someone who could represent the east side of the county as they do on the west side? We need people in position who are going to make decisions that benefit our most vulnerable. Who is going to protect our children, and who is going to protect you and me? “

“AT the end of the day, it’s bigger than him, it’s bigger than the school district, it’s bigger than Prince William County. It’s about our children.”

Pratter also has sought the wisdom of school board members in his preparation.

Douglas Brown, Newport News School Board representative: “There are certain traits that a school board member needs to have, a passion for public education, a passion to support our teachers, he’s focused on the betterment of the community, and he’s got the relationships to persevere to the solutions that Prince William County is going to need.”

“The challenges are that we don’t have taxing authority, but we do have a responsibility to make sure that we have safe schools for children, and to help our teachers, as well as that our parents are heard. I believe that he’s got the infrastructure to get the solutions implemented.”

Neabsco District Supervisor Vic Angry touted how Pratter can benefit the community, and how they can create a level of continuity. “I’m looking forward to see Padreus represent the Neabsco District. The passion that comes from the youth speaks for itself. We have a lot of underserved areas, and there’s now an opportunity to tie together as a board and the schools to make a difference.”

“We no longer have to say that one day we can, it is here. I believe that our history of service is a baseline for all that we do; it’s about the greater good.”

Going back to Pratter, what’s the best advice he’s received? “The best advice I received is to be himself. What I saw in those school board meetings, or working at the Board of Education, I believe that if we have a skill to serve, then we must do so.”

Regarding the question of politics, he shifts the focus onto building the narrative. “I’m not a single-issue candidate,” he says. “Politics has a way of driving the narrative away from the education in the classroom. We’re going to drive it back to the people of Neabsco.”

His mother served as a special education teacher in Decatur, Georgia for 30 years, and he knows he is carrying on her legacy. “You never know the building blocks of someone else until you find yourself at the edge of opportunity. I saw my mother pick up extra jobs over the summer to help us travel. My father worked for the federal government. I remember her teachings and how she put an emphasis on education.

What is the best way to engage in a community? “One conversation at a time. I never met a parent who doesn’t want the very best for their child, and I never met a teacher who doesn’t want the very best for their students. Those are straightforward conversations to open, and they’re important, whether we agree or disagree. They need to be heard.”

He continues, “Focusing on educating our students is not a one-size-fits-all approach. We must ensure that we’re meeting the students where they are. For example, if you think about chronic absenteeism, the research shows that if you can curb it, we must understand what their individual issue is.”

What will it look like in a few years?

“We talk about being the tenth most diverse county and seventh richest county in the nation. I believe that we have a great opportunity to push the envelope further and in that process, lead and own our successes. My vision for PWCS is that we will be a nationally recognized model of change.”

He emphasizes the point of representation as a Black male candidate. “It’s one of those things that it’s about showing up in spaces. Sometimes we don’t have to say a word. It’s our presence that starts the conversation.”