Arlington School Board Caucus

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NAACP wants to end the caucus to get their Education Chair elected.
APE wants to end the caucus to get one of their fake Dems elected.
Arlington GOP wants to end the caucus for obvious reasons.

What’s in it for the Arlington Dems to end this? What am I missing?

Because they can't keep claiming to be Democrats and have liberal values but at the same time ensuring only rich white people are involved in not only the school board but are the ones who are participating in the voting.

I vehemently oppose the ACDC's school board influence. However, if you're suggesting they ensure only their "rich white people" are involved in the SB, have you looked at the SB? It isn't about selecting their preferred white folks - it's about selecting their preferred active party members who toe the (Arlington Democratic) party line. How is it that you think they work to make sure rich white people participate in the voting?

Before the pandemic the caucus voting was in two specific locations in N Arlington: on one weeknight evening at Key from 5-8 and one weekend day at W-L from 1-5. If you could not get to one of those locations on one of those days, too bad. That certainly limited the number of people who were able to participate. Not sure if they are planning to continue online voting in the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NAACP wants to end the caucus to get their Education Chair elected.
APE wants to end the caucus to get one of their fake Dems elected.
Arlington GOP wants to end the caucus for obvious reasons.

What’s in it for the Arlington Dems to end this? What am I missing?

Because they can't keep claiming to be Democrats and have liberal values but at the same time ensuring only rich white people are involved in not only the school board but are the ones who are participating in the voting.

I vehemently oppose the ACDC's school board influence. However, if you're suggesting they ensure only their "rich white people" are involved in the SB, have you looked at the SB? It isn't about selecting their preferred white folks - it's about selecting their preferred active party members who toe the (Arlington Democratic) party line. How is it that you think they work to make sure rich white people participate in the voting?

who are rich white people because it's Arlington. And yeah every once in a while they let someone in who is nonwhite so I guess we can pat them on the back for that. And I don't think they take the chance to vote a way from anyone but I do think they take the desire away. It's more likely that some people don't even bother to pick any of the names on the school board ballot and just ignore it. If they had candidates that they felt really were interested in their ideas and were really going to represent their interests maybe they would then actually vote more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NAACP wants to end the caucus to get their Education Chair elected.
APE wants to end the caucus to get one of their fake Dems elected.
Arlington GOP wants to end the caucus for obvious reasons.

What’s in it for the Arlington Dems to end this? What am I missing?

Nothing, really. (But it would save time and money not having to hold a caucus.)
In fact, they really stand to lose much more than they would gain as a party. More people would be willing to participate not just in SB races and debates, but in the ACDC itself. But ACDC doesn't really want that. If more people come in, you risk a wider range of views and current ACDC leadership and loyalists risk losing control.

Nevertheless, eliminating the "endorsement" process would benefit Arlington by enabling more people to get on the ballot. Hatch Act precludes very qualified, knowledgeable, passionate federal employees from running because you don't stand a chance without the ACDC's "endorsement" so they don't bother. And, if you don't win the caucus, you can't continue to run because part of the deal of participating in the caucus is being precluded from getting your name on the November ballot. That's what makes this a nomination process, not an endorsement process. ACDC would do Arlington a far greater service if they just held a debate for ALL the candidates and let whoever qualifies to get their name on the ballot to get their name on the ballot. If they really must, they could actually do a real endorsement of one candidate like AEA does. That would still lead ACDC loyalists to just vote for that candidate; but it would also at least give other democrat candidates a shot, as people can choose for themselves which candidate to actually vote for.

Agree with all of this except that an endorsement (w/o a caucus) should not be put on a sample ballot. The AEA is not handing out sample ballots, which mislead voters that the the endorsee is the one true Dem selected by the voters.

PP here. I agree. I actually don't believe sample ballots with any candidate boxes checked by anyone should be allowed period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NAACP wants to end the caucus to get their Education Chair elected.
APE wants to end the caucus to get one of their fake Dems elected.
Arlington GOP wants to end the caucus for obvious reasons.

What’s in it for the Arlington Dems to end this? What am I missing?

Because they can't keep claiming to be Democrats and have liberal values but at the same time ensuring only rich white people are involved in not only the school board but are the ones who are participating in the voting.

I vehemently oppose the ACDC's school board influence. However, if you're suggesting they ensure only their "rich white people" are involved in the SB, have you looked at the SB? It isn't about selecting their preferred white folks - it's about selecting their preferred active party members who toe the (Arlington Democratic) party line. How is it that you think they work to make sure rich white people participate in the voting?

Before the pandemic the caucus voting was in two specific locations in N Arlington: on one weeknight evening at Key from 5-8 and one weekend day at W-L from 1-5. If you could not get to one of those locations on one of those days, too bad. That certainly limited the number of people who were able to participate. Not sure if they are planning to continue online voting in the future.

That's not accurate. They hold voting over 2 or 3 nights and also typically have a location at Drew ES in south Arlington.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NAACP wants to end the caucus to get their Education Chair elected.
APE wants to end the caucus to get one of their fake Dems elected.
Arlington GOP wants to end the caucus for obvious reasons.

What’s in it for the Arlington Dems to end this? What am I missing?

Because they can't keep claiming to be Democrats and have liberal values but at the same time ensuring only rich white people are involved in not only the school board but are the ones who are participating in the voting.

I vehemently oppose the ACDC's school board influence. However, if you're suggesting they ensure only their "rich white people" are involved in the SB, have you looked at the SB? It isn't about selecting their preferred white folks - it's about selecting their preferred active party members who toe the (Arlington Democratic) party line. How is it that you think they work to make sure rich white people participate in the voting?

Before the pandemic the caucus voting was in two specific locations in N Arlington: on one weeknight evening at Key from 5-8 and one weekend day at W-L from 1-5. If you could not get to one of those locations on one of those days, too bad. That certainly limited the number of people who were able to participate. Not sure if they are planning to continue online voting in the future.

That's not accurate. They hold voting over 2 or 3 nights and also typically have a location at Drew ES in south Arlington.

You’re right. In 2019 it was at Drew from 7pm-9pm one night, Key 7-9 another night, and W-L 11-7 on a Saturday. https://arlingtondemocrats.org/event/arlington-dems-2019-school-board-caucuses/

So if you can’t get to one of those locations within those hours, too bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NAACP wants to end the caucus to get their Education Chair elected.
APE wants to end the caucus to get one of their fake Dems elected.
Arlington GOP wants to end the caucus for obvious reasons.

What’s in it for the Arlington Dems to end this? What am I missing?

Would they even want to change the caucus if she didn't work as a Fed (aka Hatch Act)?

How else - beyond this employment glitch - does the caucus result in SB members who can't effectively represent the black community?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NAACP wants to end the caucus to get their Education Chair elected.
APE wants to end the caucus to get one of their fake Dems elected.
Arlington GOP wants to end the caucus for obvious reasons.

What’s in it for the Arlington Dems to end this? What am I missing?

Would they even want to change the caucus if she didn't work as a Fed (aka Hatch Act)?

How else - beyond this employment glitch - does the caucus result in SB members who can't effectively represent the black community?

She's highly unimpressive, so it doesn't matter. Arl Dems will vote for her because she's a black education leader. People who care and take the time to learn about candidates' platforms and priorities and proposed solutions will vote for a better candidate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NAACP wants to end the caucus to get their Education Chair elected.
APE wants to end the caucus to get one of their fake Dems elected.
Arlington GOP wants to end the caucus for obvious reasons.

What’s in it for the Arlington Dems to end this? What am I missing?

Would they even want to change the caucus if she didn't work as a Fed (aka Hatch Act)?

How else - beyond this employment glitch - does the caucus result in SB members who can't effectively represent the black community?

She's highly unimpressive, so it doesn't matter. Arl Dems will vote for her because she's a black education leader. People who care and take the time to learn about candidates' platforms and priorities and proposed solutions will vote for a better candidate.

I do find it interesting that one of her BFFs commented in an AEM post this morning referring to the Arlington Dems as “they”. Are you a member of the Democratic Party or not? If yes, then it’s a we and you work to change the system. If you are not, then you have no business saying what another group does or doesn’t do.

I’m not a member of the GOP, Black Parent of Arlington, NAACP, CivFed, Hispanic Parents Association, etc. So I don’t get to tell them how to run their organization.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Defund schools? How about actually educate kids?

One party made it their platform to keep schools closed.

Same party wants to mask vaccinated second graders forever.

I’d prefer my school board to be non-partisan.

Ugh. So much stupid.

Where did they say masks forever? Please cite, drama queen.

[Anonymous]

Dem and I agree 100% with getting rid of the caucus. First off, last year was the first and only time I’ve ever been able to participate. It’s not a friendly process to working parents who presumably make up the bulk of people who have kids in schools. Second, our schools are not served well by filling the Board with party insiders looking to use the school board as a stepping stone in a bigger political career. Some of the more recent choices have been completely lackluster and wouldn’t have gone anywhere without being on the Dem sample ballot, which is saying something. Third, I support federal employees running, and I think they should have a fair shot. Under the current system they really have no chance at all.

The Dems can still “endorse” certain candidates and those candidates will probably still win, but at least it opens up the possibility for a fed or non-insider to get their voices out there in a serious way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Second, our schools are not served well by filling the Board with party insiders looking to use the school board as a stepping stone in a bigger political career. .

Well, this is laughable. Name one School Board member in the last two decades that has used it as a stepping stone to a bigger political career?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dem and I agree 100% with getting rid of the caucus. First off, last year was the first and only time I’ve ever been able to participate. It’s not a friendly process to working parents who presumably make up the bulk of people who have kids in schools. Second, our schools are not served well by filling the Board with party insiders looking to use the school board as a stepping stone in a bigger political career. Some of the more recent choices have been completely lackluster and wouldn’t have gone anywhere without being on the Dem sample ballot, which is saying something. Third, I support federal employees running, and I think they should have a fair shot. Under the current system they really have no chance at all.

The Dems can still “endorse” certain candidates and those candidates will probably still win, but at least it opens up the possibility for a fed or non-insider to get their voices out there in a serious way.

How is the Dems endorsing and putting that person on a sample ballot any different that what we have now? A Fed or "non-insider" candidate can NOW run in the general. If the Dems do away with the caucus, then the endorsement becomes a backroom deal by a few. Then everyone will have their hands all up in the air that it wasn't fair and the candidates are still lackluster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NAACP wants to end the caucus to get their Education Chair elected.
APE wants to end the caucus to get one of their fake Dems elected.
Arlington GOP wants to end the caucus for obvious reasons.

What’s in it for the Arlington Dems to end this? What am I missing?

Because they can't keep claiming to be Democrats and have liberal values but at the same time ensuring only rich white people are involved in not only the school board but are the ones who are participating in the voting.

I vehemently oppose the ACDC's school board influence. However, if you're suggesting they ensure only their "rich white people" are involved in the SB, have you looked at the SB? It isn't about selecting their preferred white folks - it's about selecting their preferred active party members who toe the (Arlington Democratic) party line. How is it that you think they work to make sure rich white people participate in the voting?

Before the pandemic the caucus voting was in two specific locations in N Arlington: on one weeknight evening at Key from 5-8 and one weekend day at W-L from 1-5. If you could not get to one of those locations on one of those days, too bad. That certainly limited the number of people who were able to participate. Not sure if they are planning to continue online voting in the future.

That's not accurate. They hold voting over 2 or 3 nights and also typically have a location at Drew ES in south Arlington.

You’re right. In 2019 it was at Drew from 7pm-9pm one night, Key 7-9 another night, and W-L 11-7 on a Saturday. https://arlingtondemocrats.org/event/arlington-dems-2019-school-board-caucuses/

So if you can’t get to one of those locations within those hours, too bad.

It was also by mail in 2020 and online last year. They have been steadily increasing opportunities to participate in it. If it's a priority for you, you will find a way to do so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dem and I agree 100% with getting rid of the caucus. First off, last year was the first and only time I’ve ever been able to participate. It’s not a friendly process to working parents who presumably make up the bulk of people who have kids in schools. Second, our schools are not served well by filling the Board with party insiders looking to use the school board as a stepping stone in a bigger political career. Some of the more recent choices have been completely lackluster and wouldn’t have gone anywhere without being on the Dem sample ballot, which is saying something. Third, I support federal employees running, and I think they should have a fair shot. Under the current system they really have no chance at all.

The Dems can still “endorse” certain candidates and those candidates will probably still win, but at least it opens up the possibility for a fed or non-insider to get their voices out there in a serious way.

How is the Dems endorsing and putting that person on a sample ballot any different that what we have now? A Fed or "non-insider" candidate can NOW run in the general. If the Dems do away with the caucus, then the endorsement becomes a backroom deal by a few. Then everyone will have their hands all up in the air that it wasn't fair and the candidates are still lackluster.

How will abolishing the caucus lead to more engagement by minority voters and improved outcomes for minority kids at school? I was at the meeting last night and heard a lot of anti-caucus speakers essentially make that claim.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Before the pandemic the caucus voting was in two specific locations in N Arlington: on one weeknight evening at Key from 5-8 and one weekend day at W-L from 1-5. If you could not get to one of those locations on one of those days, too bad. That certainly limited the number of people who were able to participate. Not sure if they are planning to continue online voting in the future.

That's not accurate. They hold voting over 2 or 3 nights and also typically have a location at Drew ES in south Arlington.

You’re right. In 2019 it was at Drew from 7pm-9pm one night, Key 7-9 another night, and W-L 11-7 on a Saturday. https://arlingtondemocrats.org/event/arlington-dems-2019-school-board-caucuses/

So if you can’t get to one of those locations within those hours, too bad.

It was also by mail in 2020 and online last year. They have been steadily increasing opportunities to participate in it. If it's a priority for you, you will find a way to do so.

And yet when Republicans cut back early voting it's called voter suppression. Make up your mind.