Barbara Allen, president of the Fairfax Education Association, describes at-large Fairfax County School Board candidate Ilryong Moon as “a highly qualified candidate.”
This marks Moon’s third School Board race, the first seeking the at-large nod. The first time Moon won the Braddock district seat in 1995 against Judith “Tessie” Wilson, only to lose four years later to Wilson, who is unopposed this time around.
“Elections are such a mystical thing. I lost in 1999 when I felt I was a better candidate. In 1995, I didn’t expect to win, but won,” Moon said.
THE FATHER of two boys — one a sophomore at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and the other a seventh-grader at Lake Braddock Secondary — says they are the reason he is running once more.
“If I quit now, what example am I setting for my kids?” Moon said. “… [The example I want to set is ] don’t let the color of your skin be a limitation. Don’t let your ethnic background be a hindrance.”
Moon said it was his experience as an immigrant that helped spur his first run. Moon arrived in the United States as a 17-year-old rising junior, but voluntarily repeated the 10th grade in order to learn English. He went on to Harvard and law school; and while he felt he was successful, he also felt he was living in self-imposed isolation. All of his friends were Korean-Americans. His clients were Korean-Americans. He wanted his children to be full-fledged Americans and felt he wasn’t setting a good example, so he decided to run for the School Board after reading in the newspaper the county was switching from an appointed board to an elected board in 1995.
After losing his seat in 1999, he said several people asked if there was a glass ceiling for immigrants, something Moon said he couldn’t accept. He again found inspiration in his sons.
There are only two minorities running for the 12-member School Board, Moon and incumbent at-large representative Rita Thompson. The board’s three other minorities — Isis Castro (Mount Vernon), Robert Frye (At large) and Ernestine Heastie (Providence) are not seeking re-election.
His own mortality also helped to motivate him. Two years ago, Moon was diagnosed with colon cancer, which his mother had previously been diagnosed with. Both were successfully treated, however, the experience led to self-reflection and Moon decided he was not finished with the School Board yet.
“People ask, why do I want to do this again, it can be very taxing. … Still, I thought I was doing the right thing, returning back to the community for the education I’ve received,” Moon said. “That’s why I’m running again. I’m a valuable assist to the students of Fairfax County. I have the experience and the work ethic and the right attitude. And I have a vested interest.”
“ILRYONG HAS SERVED on the School Board before with an outstanding record,” Allen said. “He has the knowledge base.”
Moon said it’s his knowledge base that sets him apart from some of the other candidates. He has been a district representative, so he knows how a district representative approaches issues compared to an at-large member. He is a former English for speakers of other languages student, so he knows what it feels to be in a situation where a person does not know the language or customs.
“My father came to the U.S. in 1973 and the rest of the family in 1974. In order to come here, we had to sell everything we had in Korea,” Moon said. “I had $20 in my pocket when I came to the U.S., to an apartment with no furniture. We ate on the floor. Now, I’m not as rich as [Microsoft founder] Bill Gates, but I’m OK. How’d I get this far? Hard work.”
MOON SAID one of his biggest concerns is that with the new Standards of Learning requirements that go into effect this year, there will be students who will not earn a high-school diploma, which will prevent them from finding jobs or going on to higher education. He wants to make sure students get the extra help they need.
One of his goals is to be a board member that can work with both Republicans and Democrats, something he witnessed as an appointee to the county’s Planning Commission. He said the commissioners found ways to work together regardless of party affiliation and philosophical difference and that there is no reason the School Board cannot be the same way.
Moon’s wife is a teacher in Washington D.C., so he says he is familiar with the amount of time teachers devote to their jobs outside of the classroom. He says it is possible to allocate needed resources to the classrooms, while also properly compensating teachers. It comes down to priorities, which have to be set through a collaborative effort between the board and parents.
“It could come down to where parents and residents of Fairfax County want to allocate resources and skills. I’m willing to look at programs and see where we can allocate more funds into the classroom, including teachers’ salaries,” Moon said.
He also favors Richmond legislators providing equal taxing authority for the county, which the cities and towns already enjoy. Money, he says, is needed to fully fund education.