ACPS parents, what school board members get things done?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We really need to address the issues of competitive teacher pay, overcrowding, academics, and school safety. Who do you think on the school board will actually get things done?

I know who doesn't get anything done: Bailey, Greene.

Greene is nice but she is lockstep with Hutchings and Alderton. Bailey is insufferable and I am ashamed to be a Democrat and all these other Ds elect him when he was terrible on city council.

Who is going to actually get stuff done?

Greene is nice but isn't very smart. During the election she did an interview where she decried the racist curriculum of ACPS. Yet...she's been on the school board for years and so bears a lot of responsibility for that racist curriculum.

I don’t care if Greene is nice or not. You highlight why she has no business on the school board. Greene has no sense of what is important. ACPS’ curriculum is racist only in that it is not evidence based / using the best practices approaches, etc. Greene has never shown a bit of interest in the approaches that ACPS uses to teach its students. ACPS has a challenging student population (in part because of the challenges created by systemic racism in society at large). But, ACPS first tool in trying to address should he doing everything it can to use the best instructional approaches possible. ACPS barely ever discussed that issue.

This board makes very clear that education is not their priority or objective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:10 years ago I attended a session at the Beatley library run by Justin Wilson (who back then was not yet mayor). The session was regarding the need for a new high school and went on to say that things are happening. So don't hold your breathe for any of the school board members to do anything dramatic or worthwhile. It is always a very slow, painful process.

If you want something done, as a parent or community member get some other people together and start pushing for it and being persistent. This is the way I have witnessed change happen. Basically once there is a lot of complaints the school board or even the city council decides ok this must be an issue that we should pay attention to and will try and do something. They both just kind of wait around for this to happen.

After you are done being persistent, make sure you FOIA your name.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:10 years ago I attended a session at the Beatley library run by Justin Wilson (who back then was not yet mayor). The session was regarding the need for a new high school and went on to say that things are happening. So don't hold your breathe for any of the school board members to do anything dramatic or worthwhile. It is always a very slow, painful process.

If you want something done, as a parent or community member get some other people together and start pushing for it and being persistent. This is the way I have witnessed change happen. Basically once there is a lot of complaints the school board or even the city council decides ok this must be an issue that we should pay attention to and will try and do something. They both just kind of wait around for this to happen.

After you are done being persistent, make sure you FOIA your name.

What would the FOIA tell?

[Anonymous]

Comments were deleted as predicted.

[Anonymous]

Why does does this place censor any posts critical of ACPS? They kept deleting threads related to the rape cover up at MH. Who tries to conceal the violent gang rape of a 14 year old child? It's... repulsive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why does does this place censor any posts critical of ACPS? They kept deleting threads related to the rape cover up at MH. Who tries to conceal the violent gang rape of a 14 year old child? It's... repulsive.

You can come over to the Bring Integrity to Alexandria FB group. It's not a free for all, but the SB member topic that keeps getting deleted would certainly be discussed there if someone posted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:10 years ago I attended a session at the Beatley library run by Justin Wilson (who back then was not yet mayor). The session was regarding the need for a new high school and went on to say that things are happening. So don't hold your breathe for any of the school board members to do anything dramatic or worthwhile. It is always a very slow, painful process.

If you want something done, as a parent or community member get some other people together and start pushing for it and being persistent. This is the way I have witnessed change happen. Basically once there is a lot of complaints the school board or even the city council decides ok this must be an issue that we should pay attention to and will try and do something. They both just kind of wait around for this to happen.

After you are done being persistent, make sure you FOIA your name.

Who cares? No really who cares? very few if anyone ever will do a FOIA to get records. And if they do, it will be a flash in the pan moment that will then quickly subside when the next scandal or what not happens and the person will still have got what they want.

[Anonymous]

Okay, back to the OP's post. Who actually has the potential to get things done on the school board? We have pta presidents on the podium at the meeting asking for assistance. We have multiple forums about school safety. We have people talking about academics. Who on the school board is going to focus on education, paying teachers competitively with other districts, recruiting staff positions like crossing guards and bus drivers, as well as teachers, not being into political statements and buzz words, but really care about our community's education? I want to know who. And also, who was the person engaged in drug use. Normally I don't care about something so petty as an edible, joint or vape. But you have my HS students coming home stating that kids are vaping in class, getting high smoking pills, etc. Not a good look. I would feel the same way about public intoxication.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:10 years ago I attended a session at the Beatley library run by Justin Wilson (who back then was not yet mayor). The session was regarding the need for a new high school and went on to say that things are happening. So don't hold your breathe for any of the school board members to do anything dramatic or worthwhile. It is always a very slow, painful process.

If you want something done, as a parent or community member get some other people together and start pushing for it and being persistent. This is the way I have witnessed change happen. Basically once there is a lot of complaints the school board or even the city council decides ok this must be an issue that we should pay attention to and will try and do something. They both just kind of wait around for this to happen.

After you are done being persistent, make sure you FOIA your name.

Who cares? No really who cares? very few if anyone ever will do a FOIA to get records. And if they do, it will be a flash in the pan moment that will then quickly subside when the next scandal or what not happens and the person will still have got what they want.

Because it's fun to see how the super, chair and members will mock you, your kids and your concerns. I miss the days when Hutchings, Cindy Anderson etc would just email complaining parents and tell them they were racist. It was a lot more straightforward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay, back to the OP's post. Who actually has the potential to get things done on the school board? We have pta presidents on the podium at the meeting asking for assistance. We have multiple forums about school safety. We have people talking about academics. Who on the school board is going to focus on education, paying teachers competitively with other districts, recruiting staff positions like crossing guards and bus drivers, as well as teachers, not being into political statements and buzz words, but really care about our community's education? I want to know who. And also, who was the person engaged in drug use. Normally I don't care about something so petty as an edible, joint or vape. But you have my HS students coming home stating that kids are vaping in class, getting high smoking pills, etc. Not a good look. I would feel the same way about public intoxication.

I think this was answered. No one. Not one single board member.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Okay, back to the OP's post. Who actually has the potential to get things done on the school board? We have pta presidents on the podium at the meeting asking for assistance. We have multiple forums about school safety. We have people talking about academics. Who on the school board is going to focus on education, paying teachers competitively with other districts, recruiting staff positions like crossing guards and bus drivers, as well as teachers, not being into political statements and buzz words, but really care about our community's education? I want to know who. And also, who was the person engaged in drug use. Normally I don't care about something so petty as an edible, joint or vape. But you have my HS students coming home stating that kids are vaping in class, getting high smoking pills, etc. Not a good look. I would feel the same way about public intoxication.

I think this was answered. No one. Not one single board member.

Since doing so would involve confronting ACPS’s administration rather than fawning over them, I agree the answer is none of them although there may some actually care about these issues.

[Anonymous]

If you want to expend some energy, write to Del. Parker-Bennett. She has sponsored some legislation related to education (https://www.billtrack50.com/legislatordetail/26175) and she is on the record for saying that Virginia's funding formula for public schools needs to be revamped because it exacerbates existing inequities (https://www.alxnow.com/2021/05/11/similar-on-policies-bennett-parker-and-levine-differ-on-style-in-45th-district-debate/). It should not take much effort to encourage her to sponsor and advocate for legislation to change the funding formula since this is an idea she already supports.

Virginia's public schools are financed through a combination of state, local and federal funds and there are private-public partnerships between the private sector and school divisions.

But the proportion of funding from localities is much higher in Virginia than in other states -
https://www.virginiamercury.com/2021/10/12/virginia-lags-many-states-in-state-education-funding-analysis-says/

ACPS does have a high per capita spend but this is a high COLA area and additional funding from the state could be used to repurpose more unused commercial office space to create more capacity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you want to expend some energy, write to Del. Parker-Bennett. She has sponsored some legislation related to education (https://www.billtrack50.com/legislatordetail/26175) and she is on the record for saying that Virginia's funding formula for public schools needs to be revamped because it exacerbates existing inequities (https://www.alxnow.com/2021/05/11/similar-on-policies-bennett-parker-and-levine-differ-on-style-in-45th-district-debate/). It should not take much effort to encourage her to sponsor and advocate for legislation to change the funding formula since this is an idea she already supports.

Virginia's public schools are financed through a combination of state, local and federal funds and there are private-public partnerships between the private sector and school divisions.

But the proportion of funding from localities is much higher in Virginia than in other states -
https://www.virginiamercury.com/2021/10/12/virginia-lags-many-states-in-state-education-funding-analysis-says/

ACPS does have a high per capita spend but this is a high COLA area and additional funding from the state could be used to repurpose more unused commercial office space to create more capacity.

And be sure to ask her which houses she knocked on while the Seminary Road bike lane was going on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you want to expend some energy, write to Del. Parker-Bennett. She has sponsored some legislation related to education (https://www.billtrack50.com/legislatordetail/26175) and she is on the record for saying that Virginia's funding formula for public schools needs to be revamped because it exacerbates existing inequities (https://www.alxnow.com/2021/05/11/similar-on-policies-bennett-parker-and-levine-differ-on-style-in-45th-district-debate/). It should not take much effort to encourage her to sponsor and advocate for legislation to change the funding formula since this is an idea she already supports.

Virginia's public schools are financed through a combination of state, local and federal funds and there are private-public partnerships between the private sector and school divisions.

But the proportion of funding from localities is much higher in Virginia than in other states -
https://www.virginiamercury.com/2021/10/12/virginia-lags-many-states-in-state-education-funding-analysis-says/

ACPS does have a high per capita spend but this is a high COLA area and additional funding from the state could be used to repurpose more unused commercial office space to create more capacity.

It is not ACPS that is suffering from the state funding, as we live in a wealthy area and can make-up with the tax base - until now. It is inequitable in places like Petersburg. The problem with Alexandria school funding is its sanctuary status, and Richmond deciding not to fund ELL programs. In other words, Richmond is allowing localities to foot the bill for their local choices. ACPS says it costs over $20k for an ELL, and, realistically, that ELL is not bringing in a base to fund that. It is about choices, and AVA has made those choices, and they should be prepared to fund those choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want to expend some energy, write to Del. Parker-Bennett. She has sponsored some legislation related to education (https://www.billtrack50.com/legislatordetail/26175) and she is on the record for saying that Virginia's funding formula for public schools needs to be revamped because it exacerbates existing inequities (https://www.alxnow.com/2021/05/11/similar-on-policies-bennett-parker-and-levine-differ-on-style-in-45th-district-debate/). It should not take much effort to encourage her to sponsor and advocate for legislation to change the funding formula since this is an idea she already supports.

Virginia's public schools are financed through a combination of state, local and federal funds and there are private-public partnerships between the private sector and school divisions.

But the proportion of funding from localities is much higher in Virginia than in other states -
https://www.virginiamercury.com/2021/10/12/virginia-lags-many-states-in-state-education-funding-analysis-says/

ACPS does have a high per capita spend but this is a high COLA area and additional funding from the state could be used to repurpose more unused commercial office space to create more capacity.

It is not ACPS that is suffering from the state funding, as we live in a wealthy area and can make-up with the tax base - until now. It is inequitable in places like Petersburg. The problem with Alexandria school funding is its sanctuary status, and Richmond deciding not to fund ELL programs. In other words, Richmond is allowing localities to foot the bill for their local choices. ACPS says it costs over $20k for an ELL, and, realistically, that ELL is not bringing in a base to fund that. It is about choices, and AVA has made those choices, and they should be prepared to fund those choices.

TRUTH