WaPo Endorsement for FCPS School Board

[Anonymous]

Regardless of party affiliation, as a democracy, we should make it easier for people to vote. If you've worked the polls, then you have options in life that aren't available to everyone.

Why is it harder to vote on August 29 than in November. The polls are open for 13 hours.

And, I am grateful to have been able to serve. And, I certainly realize that it is not an option available to some. Certainly, there have been times when I did not have that option myself.

I just don't understand why you consider this voter suppression. I also don't understand why you think the voters from your party care so little that they cannot make it to the polls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Regardless of party affiliation, as a democracy, we should make it easier for people to vote. If you've worked the polls, then you have options in life that aren't available to everyone.

Why is it harder to vote on August 29 than in November. The polls are open for 13 hours.

And, I am grateful to have been able to serve. And, I certainly realize that it is not an option available to some. Certainly, there have been times when I did not have that option myself.

I just don't understand why you consider this voter suppression. I also don't understand why you think the voters from your party care so little that they cannot make it to the polls.

It's not harder to vote in August than in November. But it's easier for people to go out to vote once for several positions, than to vote multiple times for single positions. I don't think this point is really debatable.

I never said it was voter suppression. That was another post.

I don't think any party cares so little or so much. It's really the people that aren't as politically involved who are more likely to show up for the "big" elections. Personally, I think elections should reflect the will of the largest percentage of voters possible--not just those that are really into politics or can afford to take time off from work or other obligations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Regardless of party affiliation, as a democracy, we should make it easier for people to vote. If you've worked the polls, then you have options in life that aren't available to everyone.

Why is it harder to vote on August 29 than in November. The polls are open for 13 hours.

And, I am grateful to have been able to serve. And, I certainly realize that it is not an option available to some. Certainly, there have been times when I did not have that option myself.

I just don't understand why you consider this voter suppression. I also don't understand why you think the voters from your party care so little that they cannot make it to the polls.

It is harder because the in person absentee places for the November election are in several locations all over the county and it is easier to get to those than to get to the Fairfax Government Center. Plus, for the November elections they have more weekend hours open. With this one it is just the Sat before the elections- otherwise for the August one you have to go during business hours unless you can make it there by 7pm on Thursday.

For someone who is going to be out of town the week of the August election - starting before that Sat, it is WAY WAY WAY more of a hassle and what would have taken no more than 30 minutes in November (at my local in person absentee location) became a 105+ minute jaunt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Regardless of party affiliation, as a democracy, we should make it easier for people to vote. If you've worked the polls, then you have options in life that aren't available to everyone.

Why is it harder to vote on August 29 than in November. The polls are open for 13 hours.

And, I am grateful to have been able to serve. And, I certainly realize that it is not an option available to some. Certainly, there have been times when I did not have that option myself.

I just don't understand why you consider this voter suppression. I also don't understand why you think the voters from your party care so little that they cannot make it to the polls.

You really think that it is easy for everyone to get off of work/leave work earl/if at all?

[Anonymous]

You really think that it is easy for everyone to get off of work/leave work earl/if at all?

DH has frequently been there before the polls open at 6 a.m. And, he tells me that he has never been the first one there.

However, if someone wants to vote, they can. It's not difficult to get an absentee ballot. And, if you don't care who wins--why does it matter if you vote? You would be amazed at the people who do not know anything about anyone who is not at the top of the ticket in November.
Don't you want an informed electorate? Or, do you prefer those that vote blindly along party lines?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think anyone who follows politics realizes that limiting voter turnout is a key component of GOP politics. Even Republicans will concede this point. This is why they do better in off-year elections. This is also why they favor stricter voter ID laws, limits to polling hours, not having elections on the weekends, etc.

Yes, go vote for Keys Gamarra. It's a school board election so I'm sure very few people know the details of the four candidates. But efforts to limit voter participation should be stopped.

No, actually that is what the Democratic Party wants you to think. The GOP believes that voting should be limited to those who are voting legally.

I fail to see how having an election at an "off time" discourages people who know the issues and want to vote. But, I have worked the polls--you would be amazed at people who come to vote and do not have a clue as to who they want to vote for.

No, it's actually what Republican strategists involved in running elections will tell you. Try stepping outside of your partisan mindset. It's not about illegal voting. Do you have evidence of voter fraud being a major issue?

Regardless of party affiliation, as a democracy, we should make it easier for people to vote. If you've worked the polls, then you have options in life that aren't available to everyone.

+1. I'm not sure I would have voted in this election knowing that the Democrats will have 9-3 or 10-2 majority on the School Board through 2019 either way, but the Republicans have been so snarky and hypocritical in their efforts to get Grisafe elected that I will make a special effort to vote for Karen Keys-Gamarra tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

1. I'm not sure I would have voted in this election knowing that the Democrats will have 9-3 or 10-2 majority on the School Board through 2019 either way, but the Republicans have been so snarky and hypocritical in their efforts to get Grisafe elected that I will make a special effort to vote for Karen Keys-Gamarra tomorrow

LOL! snarky and hypocritical?

Budget concerns?
Transparency issues?
Classroom size?
Teacher pay?

You call that snarky and hypocritical? And, FWIW, I find it hard to believe that anyone who reads/posts on this thread has not already decided to vote. But, pretend all you like.

[Anonymous]

Are school board members supposed to be neutral as far as political parties?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are school board members supposed to be neutral as far as political parties?

No rules on that. Although, the fact that the election is required to be non-partisan would reflect that. In any case, I think both sides would agree that it is currently quite partisan.

Unfortunately, in order to get the endorsement of the parties, it would seem that you have to be an active participant in party politics. This seems particularly true this year. Keys-Gamarra is very active in the Democratic Party. Grisafe has previously run for office, too.

His website appears far less partisan, however than Keys-Gamarra's. And, she has received significantly more funds from her party than he.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

1. I'm not sure I would have voted in this election knowing that the Democrats will have 9-3 or 10-2 majority on the School Board through 2019 either way, but the Republicans have been so snarky and hypocritical in their efforts to get Grisafe elected that I will make a special effort to vote for Karen Keys-Gamarra tomorrow

LOL! snarky and hypocritical?

Budget concerns?
Transparency issues?
Classroom size?
Teacher pay?

You call that snarky and hypocritical? And, FWIW, I find it hard to believe that anyone who reads/posts on this thread has not already decided to vote. But, pretend all you like.

These four issues are issues for any School Board member, past, present or future. The hypocrisy is the Republicans triggering a costly special election, along with Grisafe's suggesting he could take on these issues when he has a paper-thin resume and his patrons stand for under-funding the public schools.

[Anonymous]

These four issues are issues for any School Board member, past, present or future. The hypocrisy is the Republicans triggering a costly special election, along with Grisafe's suggesting he could take on these issues when he has a paper-thin resume and his patrons stand for under-funding the public schools.

And, Keys-Gamarra wants to spend millions to rename schools. Paper-thin resume? Depends on your point of view. Someone who understands that we need to re-examine budget and look at program effectiveness rather than spend time on things that have little or no impact on instruction in the schools? He has my vote.

As for suggesting--does Keys-Gamarra really believe she can "eliminate bullying"? Seriously?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are school board members supposed to be neutral as far as political parties?

No rules on that. Although, the fact that the election is required to be non-partisan would reflect that. In any case, I think both sides would agree that it is currently quite partisan.

Unfortunately, in order to get the endorsement of the parties, it would seem that you have to be an active participant in party politics. This seems particularly true this year. Keys-Gamarra is very active in the Democratic Party. Grisafe has previously run for office, too.

His website appears far less partisan, however than Keys-Gamarra's. And, she has received significantly more funds from her party than he.

I'm taking a page out of Senator Obama's playbook and voting present in the election. All of these candidates have put politics ahead of the children and community at large.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

These four issues are issues for any School Board member, past, present or future. The hypocrisy is the Republicans triggering a costly special election, along with Grisafe's suggesting he could take on these issues when he has a paper-thin resume and his patrons stand for under-funding the public schools.

And, Keys-Gamarra wants to spend millions to rename schools. Paper-thin resume? Depends on your point of view. Someone who understands that we need to re-examine budget and look at program effectiveness rather than spend time on things that have little or no impact on instruction in the schools? He has my vote.

As for suggesting--does Keys-Gamarra really believe she can "eliminate bullying"? Seriously?

Keys-Gamarra has been fairly consistent that she wants to see private funding for any school renamings. Grisafe has regurgitated the R-party line that the renaming process has torn the Stuart community apart, without ever acknowledging that Confederate names cause pain within our communities. Seriously, white people who claim that Confederate names and imagery have "little or no impact' on education or on others need to look around. I also think that "eliminating bullying' as an aspirational goal is a good idea, and there are ways to further that goal.

As for budgets, Keys-Gamarra wants to protect them; Grisafe wants to cut them. Everyone with any knowledge of FCPS knows that the programs that one person wants to terminate may well be those that are nearest and dearest to others. Keys-Gamarra has the endorsements of the Fairfax County Education Association and the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers. Grisafe has the endorsement of Elizabeth Schultz and Resistance Media.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Washington Compost endorsed the Democrat? Color me shocked. Couldn't see that one coming.

+1. so true.

[Anonymous]

Keys-Gamarra has been fairly consistent that she wants to see private funding for any school renamings. Grisafe has regurgitated the R-party line that the renaming process has torn the Stuart community apart, without ever acknowledging that Confederate names cause pain within our communities. Seriously, white people who claim that Confederate names and imagery have "little or no impact' on education or on others need to look around. I also think that "eliminating bullying' as an aspirational goal is a good idea, and there are ways to further that goal.

As for budgets, Keys-Gamarra wants to protect them; Grisafe wants to cut them. Everyone with any knowledge of FCPS knows that the programs that one person wants to terminate may well be those that are nearest and dearest to others. Keys-Gamarra has the endorsements of the Fairfax County Education Association and the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers. Grisafe has the endorsement of Elizabeth Schultz and Resistance Media.

Keys-Gamarra has been fairly consistent that she wants to see private funding for any school renamings.

We'd all like to see private funding for a lot of things--doesn't mean it is going to happen.

Grisafe has regurgitated the R-party line that the renaming process has torn the Stuart community apart, without ever acknowledging that Confederate names cause pain within our communities

Republicans are not the only ones who feel that way. And, the way the School Board handled this did tear the community apart. That was pretty obvious if you watched the Citizen Participation and listened to people.
What makes me the saddest is that they demonized educators--long dead-- who named the schools. There was no evidence at all that it was done out of spite. If you read the minutes of the decision making, the schools were named after famous Americans because there was conflict over the geographic names at the time. Specifically, Lee was supposed to be Franconia HIgh and Springfield people objected. So, they passed a rule to name them after famous Americans. In fact, Vienna wanted Madison to be named Vienna High and they named it Madison because of the policy. Then, they named 'Munson Hill High" after Jeb Stuart because he had an encampment there.
All of this is in the minutes.
But, people like McElveen had to demonize those people. Even Moon acknowledged that it was not right to do that.

Do you know that the children of some of those men still live in Fairfax County? They are disgusted with the way their family members were labeled. Talk about bullying.

I am sorry if it causes some kids "pain". It's kind of sad that something like that causes pain--that the kids have not learned that it has no impact on them today. Someone has failed here.
Would I name a school Jeb Stuart today? NO. But, I do understand how Southerners revered their ancestors--and the reverence had nothing to do with white supremacy.

eliminate bullying

sounds good--I cannot imagine there is not one person who wants bullying in the schools--but there are plenty of policies already addressing that. I think you already know this.