Stupid question about the Arlington CB and overcrowded schools

[Anonymous]

I've asked this in another thread and people were so kind to respond (thank you!) but I still don't get it.

So the schools are overcrowded. The SB keeps asking for more money for schools and they keep not getting it. Apparently this has something to do with the democratic party's stronghold over the CB or SB or both? So we can't get a county board candidate that is both a democrat and that wants to fully fund the schools? Or is it that the candidates the democratic party has picked just happen to not care about the schools?

[Anonymous]

Because the ACDC controls the CB and SB, the 2 bodies aren’t really independent. There is an overall agenda. A candidate that’s going to push for things that aren’t in alignment with the larger agenda isn’t going to get on the ballot with the ACDC endorsement, and only a candidate with an ACDC endorsement can win.

Here’s one simple example of how this dynamic plays out: Ballston has the highest population density in the entire DMV. The County Board is prioritizing high-density development and creating more Ballstons. A lot of people are going to live here. There’s not enough land or money to have something like reasonable class sizes or traditional schools (full-time, in-person schools with elective space and athletic fields for all). So the ACDC isn’t going to put up a candidate that will fight for these things bc it’s not happening. They have no interest in fostering diversity of thought. This is how the slogan “Democrats from the Schoolhouse to the White House is supposed to work. Everyone is aligned and sharing a brain. If you agree, then it’s awesome. If you see things differently, there’s no point to even make your voice heard. The end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because the ACDC controls the CB and SB, the 2 bodies aren’t really independent. There is an overall agenda. A candidate that’s going to push for things that aren’t in alignment with the larger agenda isn’t going to get on the ballot with the ACDC endorsement, and only a candidate with an ACDC endorsement can win.

Here’s one simple example of how this dynamic plays out: Ballston has the highest population density in the entire DMV. The County Board is prioritizing high-density development and creating more Ballstons. A lot of people are going to live here. There’s not enough land or money to have something like reasonable class sizes or traditional schools (full-time, in-person schools with elective space and athletic fields for all). So the ACDC isn’t going to put up a candidate that will fight for these things bc it’s not happening. They have no interest in fostering diversity of thought. This is how the slogan “Democrats from the Schoolhouse to the White House is supposed to work. Everyone is aligned and sharing a brain. If you agree, then it’s awesome. If you see things differently, there’s no point to even make your voice heard. The end.

Thank you!

And that’s ridiculous. I’m very liberal and it’s so obnoxious to see democrats be terrible like this. It’s crazy that democrats, who ostensibly care about equity, wouldn’t want adequate school funding, since it’s the least-privileged kids that are going to shoulder that burden.

Do you happen to know if there are any organizations that are working toward getting Arlington to find schools better?

[Anonymous]

The other issue is that since the school board has no authority to raise money on its own, there’s no real accountability on school construction issues.

The school board is charged with coming up with facilities plans but is totally dependent on the school board providing them with cash. Meanwhile county board has a bunch of other funding priorities, and can deflect criticism on education issues to school board (even though they approve most of the growth that is causing the facilities issues). And of course an ever decreasing number of Arlington residents actually have kids in schools.

[Anonymous]

I'm an Arl Dem and what's written above just isn't true. If you're a Democrat, maybe find out for yourself by talking to the CB and SB members rather than believing some anonymous person who obviously has a grudge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm an Arl Dem and what's written above just isn't true. If you're a Democrat, maybe find out for yourself by talking to the CB and SB members rather than believing some anonymous person who obviously has a grudge.

Haha, I went to board meetings and was out spoken with the issues. Vidhstat sought me out to hear more, but I got platitudes and no response from the rest of the board. And I’m a lifelong Dem.

So if you are in the know, what is the hold up on increasing school facilities?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm an Arl Dem and what's written above just isn't true. If you're a Democrat, maybe find out for yourself by talking to the CB and SB members rather than believing some anonymous person who obviously has a grudge.

Ok so what’s the truth? How would you answer this question. I’m genuinely and sincerely all ears.

[Anonymous]

The big problem is that Arlington has very few residents that are parents with kids in the public school system as compared to other wealthy suburbs. APS just isn't a priority, it's a headache for the CB. Maybe they'll start caring when our property values start to resemble Alexandria because families will only move here with expectation of sending kids to private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm an Arl Dem and what's written above just isn't true. If you're a Democrat, maybe find out for yourself by talking to the CB and SB members rather than believing some anonymous person who obviously has a grudge.

OP’s concern with school capacity and faculties is so fundamental that he or she shouldn’t have to set up a special meeting to talk with the various board members. The answers should be out there. The fact that they are not obvious is a problem. Also, I don’t think “grudge” means what you think it means.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm an Arl Dem and what's written above just isn't true. If you're a Democrat, maybe find out for yourself by talking to the CB and SB members rather than believing some anonymous person who obviously has a grudge.

OP’s concern with school capacity and faculties is so fundamental that he or she shouldn’t have to set up a special meeting to talk with the various board members. The answers should be out there. The fact that they are not obvious is a problem. Also, I don’t think “grudge” means what you think it means.

OP here, and thank you!

And I"m inclined to believe that poster because it makes sense. Every time I vote I get a printout of who the Democratic Party wants, and those candidates always win. I'm sure the party has a cohesive agenda and they take advantage of Arlington's democratic-leaning populace to get what they want most. Why wouldn't they? TBH I probably would. That's politics.

Maybe the above poster is feeding me a line of bull because she has a grudge, but what's more trustworthy: that comment or a politician who is defending bad policy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm an Arl Dem and what's written above just isn't true. If you're a Democrat, maybe find out for yourself by talking to the CB and SB members rather than believing some anonymous person who obviously has a grudge.

Haha, I went to board meetings and was out spoken with the issues. Vidhstat sought me out to hear more, but I got platitudes and no response from the rest of the board. And I’m a lifelong Dem.

So if you are in the know, what is the hold up on increasing school facilities?

OP here. I heard him speak about this once, and he said that one contributor to school overcrowding was how much land is available. I guess there are some requirements for green space for schools and they just aren't many options. Plus Virginia doesn't allow eminent domain for schools? (I am using the wrong term for that, but I think that's the general idea). I'm wondering if requirements for green space could be reduced? One of my kids goes to HBW it seems like that much green space is plenty.

I actually voted against Vidhstat because his plan for homeless people seemed to involve finding a reason to throw them in jail, but silly me, I assumed his replacement would be as interested in figuring out the school overcrowding issue as he was.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm an Arl Dem and what's written above just isn't true. If you're a Democrat, maybe find out for yourself by talking to the CB and SB members rather than believing some anonymous person who obviously has a grudge.

Haha, I went to board meetings and was out spoken with the issues. Vidhstat sought me out to hear more, but I got platitudes and no response from the rest of the board. And I’m a lifelong Dem.

So if you are in the know, what is the hold up on increasing school facilities?

OP here. I heard him speak about this once, and he said that one contributor to school overcrowding was how much land is available. I guess there are some requirements for green space for schools and they just aren't many options. Plus Virginia doesn't allow eminent domain for schools? (I am using the wrong term for that, but I think that's the general idea). I'm wondering if requirements for green space could be reduced? One of my kids goes to HBW it seems like that much green space is plenty.

I actually voted against Vidhstat because his plan for homeless people seemed to involve finding a reason to throw them in jail, but silly me, I assumed his replacement would be as interested in figuring out the school overcrowding issue as he was.

Also PP are you still going to board meetings? I've never gone because I go to sleep so early but maybe I should start.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm an Arl Dem and what's written above just isn't true. If you're a Democrat, maybe find out for yourself by talking to the CB and SB members rather than believing some anonymous person who obviously has a grudge.

OP’s concern with school capacity and faculties is so fundamental that he or she shouldn’t have to set up a special meeting to talk with the various board members. The answers should be out there. The fact that they are not obvious is a problem. Also, I don’t think “grudge” means what you think it means.

OP here, and thank you!

And I"m inclined to believe that poster because it makes sense. Every time I vote I get a printout of who the Democratic Party wants, and those candidates always win. I'm sure the party has a cohesive agenda and they take advantage of Arlington's democratic-leaning populace to get what they want most. Why wouldn't they? TBH I probably would. That's politics.

Maybe the above poster is feeding me a line of bull because she has a grudge, but what's more trustworthy: that comment or a politician who is defending bad policy?

I’m that poster and I do not have a grudge!!!! I am however beyond frustrated with the school capacity answers, the lack of answers or solutions, and the fact that ACDC controls both boards so that there’s no hope for an independent voice. You are 100 percent right, these people are politicians and of course they can take advantage of the large democratic majority to get it done. And most of the voters don’t have school-ages kids, so that’s their base. The board members aren’t bad people, but the school isn’t their top priority. I don’t know of any groups trying to address it, I think most people get frustrated and give up

[Anonymous]

^ “school capacity issues”. So sorry for the typos! I’m so sick of folks coming on here and insinuating anyone questioning ACDC must have sour grapes. And then not providing an answer. They obviously didn’t like my answer, but at least I took a stab at it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^ “school capacity issues”. So sorry for the typos! I’m so sick of folks coming on here and insinuating anyone questioning ACDC must have sour grapes. And then not providing an answer. They obviously didn’t like my answer, but at least I took a stab at it!

Agreed!