Virginia Beach School Board · District 8
I'm Andy Baan — a Virginia Beach dad, a special-education parent, and a retired Navy Captain. I'm running for School Board because our children deserve a board focused on their education, not on personal political agendas.
Andy Baan · Retired U.S. Navy Captain · VBCPS parent
Andy's Platform
Caring for our students, parents, and teachers through safety, academic excellence, and fiscal responsibility.
Use modern practices to deter violence and combat threats.
Nothing else on this list matters if a child does not feel safe walking through the door. Andy spent a career where safety planning was a daily discipline, not an afterthought — and he will bring that same seriousness to every school in Virginia Beach.
Stop political indoctrination in classrooms and focus on learning.
Less "screen time," more teaching time. Our teachers are professionals who want to teach — they deserve a board that keeps the adults' politics out of the classroom and puts reading, writing, math, and science back at the center.
Rein in the cost of new school buildings and halt collective bargaining that spends more on unions than on children.
A $1.2 billion budget is your money. Every dollar spent on overhead is a dollar that never reaches a classroom. Andy will read the contracts, ask the hard questions, and expect a straight answer.
I am a parent who knows how to advocate for children who learn differently. I will be a voice for them.
Andy is the father of a child with special needs. He has sat on the parent's side of the table, and he understands that children succeed when they are taught at their own ability level — not sorted and forgotten.
Andy's Story
Andy Baan has proudly called Virginia Beach home for over 25 years. He is the father of two children educated in Virginia Beach City Public Schools — one a recent graduate, one a current student. As the parent of a child with special needs, Andy understands intimately that children learn in different ways, and that they succeed when they are taught to their own ability level.
Andy is a retired Navy Captain whose career was rooted in servant leadership and education. He was the commanding officer of multiple units — one of which was named “Best Small Unit in the Nation” with the Leo Bilger Award. His career included a deployment to Iraq, where he earned a Bronze Star for his performance in a war zone.
As a contractor he worked as an educator — developing curriculum, planning and executing complex missions, and training future leaders. While overseas, he volunteered as a teacher of elementary school children, helping non-native French-speaking children learn English.
In addition to his military service, Andy's experience as an attorney and a cybersecurity consultant equips him with the knowledge required to help govern Virginia Beach City Public Schools — a $1.2 billion organization.
“I am a parent who knows how to advocate for children who learn differently. I will be a voice for them.” — Andy Baan
Experience
Chip in
This is a grassroots campaign for a local office — there is no big money behind it. Signs, mailers, and door-knocking literature are what put Andy's name in front of District 8 voters, and they are funded entirely by neighbors like you.
Contributions to Andy Baan School Board are not tax-deductible. Donations are processed securely by Anedot.
Get involved
A School Board race is decided by a few thousand votes in District 8. That means one conversation, one yard sign, one shared post genuinely moves the number. Pick whatever you have time for — even fifteen minutes helps.
Prefer to just say hello? Email andy@andybaan.com or call 757-708-5229.
Make your vote count
Andy is on the ballot for Virginia Beach School Board, District 8. School Board races sit near the bottom of a long ballot — please vote all the way down.
Sept 18 – Oct 31, 2026
Vote early at your local registrar's office. Early voting ends 5:00 p.m. Saturday, October 31.
Friday, Oct 23, 2026
Last day to register or update your registration, and the last day to request a ballot by mail.
Tuesday, Nov 3, 2026
Polls are open 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. If you're in line at 7:00 p.m., stay in line — you can vote.
Dates confirmed with the Virginia Department of Elections.
Get in touch
Have a question about a school, a policy, or a problem your family is running into? Ask it. Andy would rather hear from you before the election than after.
