Learning by Design

#16. Policy 8040, Transparency and Parental Partnership

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Santos Munoz on Restoring Trust in Loudoun County Public Schools

On February 20, 2008, a U.S. Navy ship launched a missile at a crippled satellite — a classified mission known as Operation Burnt Frost. One of the officers behind that historic moment was Santos Muñoz, a decorated U.S. Air Force space and missile officer.

Now, Muñoz is stepping into a new mission: Restoring trust in Loudoun County Public Schools.

In this episode, Santos Muñoz shares his journey from Carolina, Puerto Rico, to becoming a candidate for the Loudoun County School Board. A former space and missile officer in the U.S. Air Force, Muñoz brings a leadership style forged through discipline, service, and family values.

He speaks candidly about the current educational climate in Loudoun County, including Policy 8040, concerns over parental rights, and the growing disconnect between school boards and families. With a strong emphasis on transparency, community engagement, and protecting the voices of Latino families, Muñoz outlines his vision for restoring trust in public education.

Key Themes
  • Policy 8040 & Policy Disconnect. Muñoz breaks down what Policy 8040 means and why many parents feel alienated by the school board’s decision-making process.
  • Lessons from Operation Burnt Frost. Drawing from his experience on a top-secret military mission, Muñoz shares why coordination, clarity, and accountability are non-negotiable in both national defense and public education.
  • Raised in Puerto Rico, Santos’s early life shaped his commitment to hard work and service.
  • His military background drives his emphasis on leadership, accountability, and integrity.
  • Muñoz highlights the challenges Latino families face in Loudoun schools.
  • He advocates for education, not indoctrination, and a safe, inclusive environment for all children.
  • His candidacy centers on transparency, community partnership, and a student-first philosophy.
    • Chapters
    • 00:00 – Introduction and Background
    • 13:27 – Cultural Identity and Family Values
    • 25:40 – Education and Early Ambitions
    • 37:41 – Military Service and Leadership
    • 49:36 – Parental Engagement and School Board Transparency
    • 52:47 – The Disconnect Between Parents and School Boards
    • 57:36 – Leadership and Accountability in Education
    • 01:03:57 – Federal Guidelines and Local Policy Resistance
    • 01:09:47 – Vision for Change in Education
    • 01:16:46 – Addressing Latino Community Concerns
    • 01:22:49 – Education vs. Indoctrination
    • 01:26:44 – Final Thoughts and Community Engagement
      • Resources

      Operation Burnt Frost Archive

      • Lockheed Martin Intercept Footage
      • AGI Debris Simulation
      • NASA Article: Social Networks in Military Ops
        • Quotes from Santos Munoz

        “If we want to fix our schools, we have to fix the relationship between parents and policymakers.”

        “Education must be empowering — not political.”
        “My mission hasn’t changed. It’s still about protecting people and serving the public.”

        This episode is a call to action. If you're a parent, educator, or Loudoun County resident who believes in accountable leadership and student-centered education, this conversation is for you.

        Support Parental Partnership. Share the message. Show up for your community.

        Listen now, or watch the whole podcast to hear how Santos Muñoz plans to restore trust in Loudoun County Public Schools.

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