Father Channels Grief Into School Board Campaign

Steve Stuban was inspired to run for office after his son, Nick Stuban, died in January.

What good can come of this? Steve Stuban, one of 10 candidates running for an at-large seat on the Fairfax County School Board, can trace his desire to seek the office back to this simple question. In late January, Stuban and his family were reeling from personal tragedy. His son, Nick Stuban, 15, committed suicide on Jan. 20. Seeking public office was the furthest thing from this father's mind. Seven months later, Stuban still needs a few deep breaths to brace himself before speaking of the loss. "After we had buried Nick, my entire family was here — my side of the family, my wife’s side of the family," Stuban said. "When we talked as a family and tried to replay the last several months of Nick’s life and tried to figure out what could …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (2)
• Documents (1)

Susan Larson

3:17 pm on Monday, July 18, 2011

Thank you, dear readers, for your supportive comments of encouragement.   more ›

Stubans Call Out Involuntary Transfers, Want Discipline Changes Now

Radio audience discusses the FCPS disciplinary debate

Sandy Stuban said her family is "still overwhelmed with grief" two months after her 15-year-old son's death. A former W.T. Woodson High School student, Nick Stuban killed himself shortly after going through the Fairfax County Public School's disciplinary process. His mother asked FCPS Superintendent Jack Dale to reform the discipline process and put more immediate fixes in place during a radio show on Wednesday afternoon. "The Fairfax disciplinary process is broken," her pre-recorded message played on WAMU 88.5's "Kojo in Your Community." Sandy, who has ALS, relied on automated dictation to share her emotional message. She asked school officials to transcribe disciplinary hearings, notify parents prior to questioning students, and place a …