APS School Board Race

[Anonymous]

I listened to the SB candidates forum this evening and want to go back to listen to the recording. June mentioned the need for swing space. Is she talking about Nottingham? I’m I understanding that correctly.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:AEA and APS have both been circling the drain the last few years. Most teachers and staff that cared have jumped ship. June Prakash is a joke, I hope other candidates have more to offer or at least open to a better way forward.

I think I remember seeing some active teachers formed a rival group? Anyone know the story there? If June can't even bring the teachers together, that's not a good sign for leading APS.

IIRC, wasn't the leader of the "rival union" Paul Weiss? And even he had the decency to resign as an APS employee before running. Not sure as an independent if he asked for AEA's endorsement.

Also, I don't know how many teachers actually join AEA and pay dues, but my understanding is that it is a small percentage.

I think Paul started his campaign before he left APS? But yes, he did eventually resign. Does June plan to leave? When? It seems like a huge conflict to run while you're employed by APS. Wouldn't the parents of her students feel pressure to vote for her?

June isn’t currently working at an APS school—surprisingly, being AEA president is her full-time job. While in that role, she’s paid through union dues, not APS. APS “holds” her position, and I believe she still receives APS health insurance and retirement benefits.

I don’t think parents would have felt pressured to vote for her based on her role—she’s not a classroom teacher, she was an assistant. In fact, both the current AEA president and vice president are assistants, not certified teachers. That might help explain why AEA’s advocacy often doesn’t reflect what’s actually happening in classrooms.

Take kindergarten iPads, for example—AEA (and June specifically) wants them gone. Meanwhile, a group of Title I kindergarten teachers has been consistently advocating for a class set of 10 iPads to support Lexia interventions. But to know that, June would need to engage with teachers across APS—not just the small circle of AEA loyalists she spends her time with.

Aren't all students issued their own device? Why would kindergarten teachers need to advocate for class set? That doesn't make any sense at all.

https://www.apsva.us/digital-devices/

Maybe because a vocal parents lobbying group with privileged members wants to get rid of them?

Where are you getting information about Title I kindergarten teachers lobbying for a classroom set of iPads? They would have no reason to ask for 10 more iPads in the class if every kid is currently assigned an ipad. I question the validity of your info.

Oh, for heaven’s sakes. Kids currently have one-to-one devices. APS might get rid of them. Some kindergarten title one teachers are saying at least let us keep 10 per class.

So they’re saying they don’t need one-to-one? They only need a classroom set? That would be fewer iPads than we have currently. That’s not how this little anecdote was presented a few comments up.

In anon forums, things are going to be misinterpreted. So let’s clear things up.

1.) APE and AEA might collaborate sometimes (cellphone ban), but June is not endorsed by them.

2.) Some K teachers would like an iPad classroom set should 1:1 go away in that grade. Which is a reasonable request.

I'll pick the candidate who didn't team up with APE, thanks.

Which is that? And How did they "team up"?

AEA and APE so June who leads AEA

Are you suggesting that AEA should be partisan and not meet with all constituents, teachers, parents?

How is a LOBBYING GROUP a constituent of a teacher's union? How are parents the constituents of a TEACHER'S union?

Also, AEA didn't just meet with them; they teamed up and I think even wrote a joint position statement.

APE is really shady because it won't disclose it's funding. Because of that and because of its leadership's ties to right wing/conservative Republicans, this leads many to assume APE is funded by right wingers/MAGA. AEA should have stayed for away from APE if they didn't want to be partisan. I lost all respect for AEA when they teamed up with APE. Also its endorsements in the past haven't helped its cause either.

What was the joint statement about?

The letter to the Dr Duran and the Board advocating for a total cellphone ban across APS. I think it was posted to the old AEM if you'd like to fish for it.

AEA could have issued their own statement instead of collaborating with APE. Made me lose a lot of respect for them. APE is divisive.

Exactly. It was really weird for AEA to team up with APE, a lobbying group with right wing ties that won't disclose its funding. I can't support that. There is no reason AEA couldn't have issued a statement alone. The choice to team up with APE was not one I can overlook.

It’s always the people who scream transparency who are the least transparent of them all.

Show your financials, APE! But back to the point, I voted for Moe because June is with APE.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:This letter links June directly with APE's board. It's not a large step to take to think that she'll be very friendly to them and their views as a SB member.

So agree with getting cell phones out of schools, which is what AEA was fighting for, but think of it as a negative for June because of who she as President of AEA had to work with? Ok, lol.

HAD to work with, lol? How exactly was June forced to work with APE? Please explain.

She signed the letter willingly. That’s worse. Sorry APE supporters but a lot of us in the community are tired of you, and your interjection into advocacy and board races will affect the candidates running.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:This letter links June directly with APE's board. It's not a large step to take to think that she'll be very friendly to them and their views as a SB member.

So agree with getting cell phones out of schools, which is what AEA was fighting for, but think of it as a negative for June because of who she as President of AEA had to work with? Ok, lol.

HAD to work with, lol? How exactly was June forced to work with APE? Please explain.

She signed the letter willingly. That’s worse. Sorry APE supporters but a lot of us in the community are tired of you, and your interjection into advocacy and board races will affect the candidates running.

And do you think the other candidate will do nothing to coordinate with any groups outside of her “core friends”? That’s not how the school board works, sorry to tell you.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:This letter links June directly with APE's board. It's not a large step to take to think that she'll be very friendly to them and their views as a SB member.

So agree with getting cell phones out of schools, which is what AEA was fighting for, but think of it as a negative for June because of who she as President of AEA had to work with? Ok, lol.

HAD to work with, lol? How exactly was June forced to work with APE? Please explain.

She signed the letter willingly. That’s worse. Sorry APE supporters but a lot of us in the community are tired of you, and your interjection into advocacy and board races will affect the candidates running.

I was really put off by the way APE behaved during Covid, but I truly see nothing wrong with this letter. The vast majority of parents and educators know we need to get cell phones out of the classroom. There is nothing wrong with teaming together for the greater good. Even the Democrats are going to need to rely on Republicans to get the mess DT has done to our country turned around. Some of you are really willing to cut off your nose to spite your face.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:This letter links June directly with APE's board. It's not a large step to take to think that she'll be very friendly to them and their views as a SB member.

So agree with getting cell phones out of schools, which is what AEA was fighting for, but think of it as a negative for June because of who she as President of AEA had to work with? Ok, lol.

Sure, I’m not saying don’t listen to APE as constituents. But as the head of a union signing an official letter under both AEA’s and APE’s letterhead is more than just listening. It’s making a statement. June is obviously with APE. They have been divisive since the pandemic, and are close to the Youngkin administration in how they take leadership from him. (Remember that the whole cellphone brouhaha started with Youngkin’s EO.) And sorry, I’m not going to vote for June because of that. You go vote for whoever you’d like tho.

HAD to work with, lol? How exactly was June forced to work with APE? Please explain.

She signed the letter willingly. That’s worse. Sorry APE supporters but a lot of us in the community are tired of you, and your interjection into advocacy and board races will affect the candidates running.

And do you think the other candidate will do nothing to coordinate with any groups outside of her “core friends”? That’s not how the school board works, sorry to tell you.

[Anonymous]

I’m not saying don’t listen to APE as constituents. But as the head of a union signing an official letter under both AEA’s and APE’s letterhead is more than just listening. It’s making a statement. June is obviously with APE. They have been divisive since the pandemic, and are close to the Youngkin administration in how they take leadership from him. (Remember that the whole cellphone brouhaha started with Youngkin’s EO.) And sorry, I’m not going to vote for June because of that. You go vote for whoever you’d like tho.

[Anonymous]

Mary Kadera came out in support of June.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mary Kadera came out in support of June.

Mary is already one foot out the door, believe me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m not saying don’t listen to APE as constituents. But as the head of a union signing an official letter under both AEA’s and APE’s letterhead is more than just listening. It’s making a statement. June is obviously with APE. They have been divisive since the pandemic, and are close to the Youngkin administration in how they take leadership from him. (Remember that the whole cellphone brouhaha started with Youngkin’s EO.) And sorry, I’m not going to vote for June because of that. You go vote for whoever you’d like tho.

Instead of making assumptions, why don’t you just ask June directly about it? If you know anything about her, you know she’ll tell you her thoughts directly.

I do question the person who keeps coming to this page to spread false narrative about June being a Youngkin supporter. Do you know anything about her? Either you’re making a wild assumption or you’re blatantly spreading false information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m not saying don’t listen to APE as constituents. But as the head of a union signing an official letter under both AEA’s and APE’s letterhead is more than just listening. It’s making a statement. June is obviously with APE. They have been divisive since the pandemic, and are close to the Youngkin administration in how they take leadership from him. (Remember that the whole cellphone brouhaha started with Youngkin’s EO.) And sorry, I’m not going to vote for June because of that. You go vote for whoever you’d like tho.

Uh no. APS started looking at changing their cell phone policy before the Youngkin EO.

[Anonymous]

Voting for June. I was on the fence but Mary’s explanation helped me decide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m not saying don’t listen to APE as constituents. But as the head of a union signing an official letter under both AEA’s and APE’s letterhead is more than just listening. It’s making a statement. June is obviously with APE. They have been divisive since the pandemic, and are close to the Youngkin administration in how they take leadership from him. (Remember that the whole cellphone brouhaha started with Youngkin’s EO.) And sorry, I’m not going to vote for June because of that. You go vote for whoever you’d like tho.

You should be careful who you get in bed with. It might have consequences. We're paying attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not saying don’t listen to APE as constituents. But as the head of a union signing an official letter under both AEA’s and APE’s letterhead is more than just listening. It’s making a statement. June is obviously with APE. They have been divisive since the pandemic, and are close to the Youngkin administration in how they take leadership from him. (Remember that the whole cellphone brouhaha started with Youngkin’s EO.) And sorry, I’m not going to vote for June because of that. You go vote for whoever you’d like tho.

Instead of making assumptions, why don’t you just ask June directly about it? If you know anything about her, you know she’ll tell you her thoughts directly.

I do question the person who keeps coming to this page to spread false narrative about June being a Youngkin supporter. Do you know anything about her? Either you’re making a wild assumption or you’re blatantly spreading false information.

No one is saying that June directly supports Youngkin. People are pointing out the June as head of AEA willingly wrote a joint letter with APE, a group that supports Youngkin and that won't disclose who funds it. That's not what I want to see in a future school board member. We can judge our candidates based on their past actions and associations. She either agrees with APE or should have done more homework before teaming up with them. Either way, no thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not saying don’t listen to APE as constituents. But as the head of a union signing an official letter under both AEA’s and APE’s letterhead is more than just listening. It’s making a statement. June is obviously with APE. They have been divisive since the pandemic, and are close to the Youngkin administration in how they take leadership from him. (Remember that the whole cellphone brouhaha started with Youngkin’s EO.) And sorry, I’m not going to vote for June because of that. You go vote for whoever you’d like tho.

Uh no. APS started looking at changing their cell phone policy before the Youngkin EO.

Sure, because APE was lobbying APS and their boy Youngkin at the same time.