Wayde Byard, the well-known former spokesman for Loudoun County Public Schools, has written a new book called “The Battle for Loudoun County.”
The book explores the recent controversy that rocked the school district and made national headlines.
“In 2021, a new battleground in America’s political and cultural wars emerged—local school boards,” reads an online description of the book. “Seemingly overnight, parents across the country joined with activist groups and political figures at all levels to engage in heated—sometimes violent—fights over issues such as COVID mandates, retrofitting bathrooms to accommodate changing gender representation, and the teaching of American history through the lens of race. At the epicenter of this outrage machine was Loudoun County, a suburb of Washington, D.C., and the wealthiest county in the nation.”
During an investigation into sexual assaults that occurred at two Ashburn high schools, Byard was indicted for perjury and placed on unpaid leave from his job. He was eventually found not guilty by a jury, paid the salary he was owed, and he officially retired late last year.
On social media, Byard shared a message with potential readers: “I want to stress that this was not written out of vengeance. I wanted a record of what really happened and how partisan attacks can turn unfortunate situations into (distorted) national news.”
For years, Byard was a well-known personality in the county because it was his voice that was heard making automated phone calls to parents when schools were closed for snow days and other weather events.
A cottage industry of friendly memes and jokes about Byard developed on social media.
“The Battle for Loudoun County” has been published by the Amplify Publishing Group, a hybrid publisher based in Herndon.
(Images at top: Amplify Publishing Group)