APS School Board candidates?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

ChenLing wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
What do you mean the board doesn't know why we spend more than other counties?

This is something a current board member told me when I asked about it. I know that about half the gap is due to us paying debt service (from CIP school bonds) from our operating budget. For other school systems like Alexandria and Montgomery County the city/county handles CIP funds or the bond payments instead of the school system. The other half of the gap is harder to explain -- adjusted for student population we have similar class sizes, number of schools, student-teacher ratios, and transportation costs as our neighbors. Our teachers are more tenured on average (so higher on the step scale), but we pay them less, and it almost exactly evens out. We also have similar programs (option or magnet schools, extra curriculars, etc).

Anonymous wrote:
Four-fifths of the budget is staff salaries and Arlington has lower class sizes and smaller schools than most other counties (i.e., more staff).

Our school sizes are comparable. We do have slightly smaller class sizes (compared to say Fairfax), but similar to FCC and Manassas City. It doesn't account for the full difference.
Any real differences provides opportunities to increase efficiency. Even if we can reduce costs by 3%, it would more than close our budget deficit.

Anonymous wrote:
You talk about special ed staffing above--this is all based on planning factors and the number of students in the school with IEPs. You're suggesting that each school be allocated different numbers of staff based on (something) instead of having a uniform staffing model? How would that work? Who determines how many staff are really needed at each school? And as for letting go the "youngest" teacher, you probably mean the teacher with the least tenure, which is how that works in every school district in the country. Not to mention that APS staff are offered positions elsewhere in the system if a position is eliminated at a specific school.

Maybe you should volunteer for some committees and learn some more about how school systems work before running for one of the five board seats--we don't need another board member who only started paying attention when their kids hit elementary school and is now going to learn on the job by asking questions that have already been asked and answered a thousand times. You might also learn about what a school board is responsible for versus the paid school administration, and why you don't get answers from the people you are asking.

I understand your concern -- I know I have a lot to learn. On the other hand, I was an English Language learner who relied on in-school free meals, and my current level of success was due in large part to the amazing teachers I had in my public school education. I care deeply about the success of our public school system. And yes my kids are young, but that means that I am invested in this for the long term.

I think I bring a unique set of skills to the school board (technology, data) that they are currently lacking. I also appreciate that I'm in a privileged position to be able to serve on a school board in the first place. It's not something I do lightly or for vanity.

We get that you care but how exactly does that qualify you to oversee my kid's school district when it's clear I know far more about it than you do?

Why are you being such an a$$? You are the reason why good candidates don’t run.

I don’t understand why ppl on this thread are being so nasty to someone who is actually POSTING HERE UNDER HIS OWN NAME. Come back when any of the other school board candidates do that.

+1

This is literally the process of running for office. The public gets to ask you questions about your qualifications and you have to defend/explain yourself and make a case for why you should be elected. I don't think anyone has said anything on here that would not be asked in one of the public forums, of any of the candidates. Just because he chose to publicly come on DCUM doesn't mean he gets to just present his side and walk away--of course he will be subject to questioning and examination.

And he patiently responded to a lot of specific questions. It isn't the questioning that's the problem. It's the rude comments completely dismissing him because he isn't a professional educator or doesn't have enough "time in." In and of themselves, those factors can be reasonable points to consider in the overall judgment of one's suitability for the role. But the comments asking why he thinks he can solve the problems with no knowledge (like any SB member ever really has the necessary knowledge going in), are snarky and rude and just unnecessary as the initial response to his willingness to post. I haven't met the guy and haven't looked into any of the candidates, yet. IMO, anyone who is willing to stick their neck out and run is worthy of at least a basic level of respect.

I see Chen's campaign manager is here defending him! Good work!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

ChenLing wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
What do you mean the board doesn't know why we spend more than other counties?

This is something a current board member told me when I asked about it. I know that about half the gap is due to us paying debt service (from CIP school bonds) from our operating budget. For other school systems like Alexandria and Montgomery County the city/county handles CIP funds or the bond payments instead of the school system. The other half of the gap is harder to explain -- adjusted for student population we have similar class sizes, number of schools, student-teacher ratios, and transportation costs as our neighbors. Our teachers are more tenured on average (so higher on the step scale), but we pay them less, and it almost exactly evens out. We also have similar programs (option or magnet schools, extra curriculars, etc).

Anonymous wrote:
Four-fifths of the budget is staff salaries and Arlington has lower class sizes and smaller schools than most other counties (i.e., more staff).

Our school sizes are comparable. We do have slightly smaller class sizes (compared to say Fairfax), but similar to FCC and Manassas City. It doesn't account for the full difference.
Any real differences provides opportunities to increase efficiency. Even if we can reduce costs by 3%, it would more than close our budget deficit.

Anonymous wrote:
You talk about special ed staffing above--this is all based on planning factors and the number of students in the school with IEPs. You're suggesting that each school be allocated different numbers of staff based on (something) instead of having a uniform staffing model? How would that work? Who determines how many staff are really needed at each school? And as for letting go the "youngest" teacher, you probably mean the teacher with the least tenure, which is how that works in every school district in the country. Not to mention that APS staff are offered positions elsewhere in the system if a position is eliminated at a specific school.

Maybe you should volunteer for some committees and learn some more about how school systems work before running for one of the five board seats--we don't need another board member who only started paying attention when their kids hit elementary school and is now going to learn on the job by asking questions that have already been asked and answered a thousand times. You might also learn about what a school board is responsible for versus the paid school administration, and why you don't get answers from the people you are asking.

I understand your concern -- I know I have a lot to learn. On the other hand, I was an English Language learner who relied on in-school free meals, and my current level of success was due in large part to the amazing teachers I had in my public school education. I care deeply about the success of our public school system. And yes my kids are young, but that means that I am invested in this for the long term.

I think I bring a unique set of skills to the school board (technology, data) that they are currently lacking. I also appreciate that I'm in a privileged position to be able to serve on a school board in the first place. It's not something I do lightly or for vanity.

We get that you care but how exactly does that qualify you to oversee my kid's school district when it's clear I know far more about it than you do?

Why are you being such an a$$? You are the reason why good candidates don’t run.

I don’t understand why ppl on this thread are being so nasty to someone who is actually POSTING HERE UNDER HIS OWN NAME. Come back when any of the other school board candidates do that.

+1

This is literally the process of running for office. The public gets to ask you questions about your qualifications and you have to defend/explain yourself and make a case for why you should be elected. I don't think anyone has said anything on here that would not be asked in one of the public forums, of any of the candidates. Just because he chose to publicly come on DCUM doesn't mean he gets to just present his side and walk away--of course he will be subject to questioning and examination.

And he patiently responded to a lot of specific questions. It isn't the questioning that's the problem. It's the rude comments completely dismissing him because he isn't a professional educator or doesn't have enough "time in." In and of themselves, those factors can be reasonable points to consider in the overall judgment of one's suitability for the role. But the comments asking why he thinks he can solve the problems with no knowledge (like any SB member ever really has the necessary knowledge going in), are snarky and rude and just unnecessary as the initial response to his willingness to post. I haven't met the guy and haven't looked into any of the candidates, yet. IMO, anyone who is willing to stick their neck out and run is worthy of at least a basic level of respect.

I see Chen's campaign manager is here defending him! Good work!

Such a predictable response - and so predictably WRONG.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

ChenLing wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
What do you mean the board doesn't know why we spend more than other counties?

This is something a current board member told me when I asked about it. I know that about half the gap is due to us paying debt service (from CIP school bonds) from our operating budget. For other school systems like Alexandria and Montgomery County the city/county handles CIP funds or the bond payments instead of the school system. The other half of the gap is harder to explain -- adjusted for student population we have similar class sizes, number of schools, student-teacher ratios, and transportation costs as our neighbors. Our teachers are more tenured on average (so higher on the step scale), but we pay them less, and it almost exactly evens out. We also have similar programs (option or magnet schools, extra curriculars, etc).

Anonymous wrote:
Four-fifths of the budget is staff salaries and Arlington has lower class sizes and smaller schools than most other counties (i.e., more staff).

Our school sizes are comparable. We do have slightly smaller class sizes (compared to say Fairfax), but similar to FCC and Manassas City. It doesn't account for the full difference.
Any real differences provides opportunities to increase efficiency. Even if we can reduce costs by 3%, it would more than close our budget deficit.

Anonymous wrote:
You talk about special ed staffing above--this is all based on planning factors and the number of students in the school with IEPs. You're suggesting that each school be allocated different numbers of staff based on (something) instead of having a uniform staffing model? How would that work? Who determines how many staff are really needed at each school? And as for letting go the "youngest" teacher, you probably mean the teacher with the least tenure, which is how that works in every school district in the country. Not to mention that APS staff are offered positions elsewhere in the system if a position is eliminated at a specific school.

Maybe you should volunteer for some committees and learn some more about how school systems work before running for one of the five board seats--we don't need another board member who only started paying attention when their kids hit elementary school and is now going to learn on the job by asking questions that have already been asked and answered a thousand times. You might also learn about what a school board is responsible for versus the paid school administration, and why you don't get answers from the people you are asking.

I understand your concern -- I know I have a lot to learn. On the other hand, I was an English Language learner who relied on in-school free meals, and my current level of success was due in large part to the amazing teachers I had in my public school education. I care deeply about the success of our public school system. And yes my kids are young, but that means that I am invested in this for the long term.

I think I bring a unique set of skills to the school board (technology, data) that they are currently lacking. I also appreciate that I'm in a privileged position to be able to serve on a school board in the first place. It's not something I do lightly or for vanity.

We get that you care but how exactly does that qualify you to oversee my kid's school district when it's clear I know far more about it than you do?

Why are you being such an a$$? You are the reason why good candidates don’t run.

I don’t understand why ppl on this thread are being so nasty to someone who is actually POSTING HERE UNDER HIS OWN NAME. Come back when any of the other school board candidates do that.

+1

This is literally the process of running for office. The public gets to ask you questions about your qualifications and you have to defend/explain yourself and make a case for why you should be elected. I don't think anyone has said anything on here that would not be asked in one of the public forums, of any of the candidates. Just because he chose to publicly come on DCUM doesn't mean he gets to just present his side and walk away--of course he will be subject to questioning and examination.

And he patiently responded to a lot of specific questions. It isn't the questioning that's the problem. It's the rude comments completely dismissing him because he isn't a professional educator or doesn't have enough "time in." In and of themselves, those factors can be reasonable points to consider in the overall judgment of one's suitability for the role. But the comments asking why he thinks he can solve the problems with no knowledge (like any SB member ever really has the necessary knowledge going in), are snarky and rude and just unnecessary as the initial response to his willingness to post. I haven't met the guy and haven't looked into any of the candidates, yet. IMO, anyone who is willing to stick their neck out and run is worthy of at least a basic level of respect.

I see Chen's campaign manager is here defending him! Good work!

Such a predictable response - and so predictably WRONG.

sure, you're not part of his campaign, we all believe you.

[Anonymous]

Why the hate on here for CL? Dude is running for school board, politely responding to people on DCUM of all places, and people are attacking him. But ZTH and LF are getting a complete pass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why the hate on here for CL? Dude is running for school board, politely responding to people on DCUM of all places, and people are attacking him. But ZTH and LF are getting a complete pass.

+1. I think it’s totally fine to challenge his credentials but don’t use the anonymity as cover for being rude.

Unfortunately I agree that other than Clark the other three are completely unqualified.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

ChenLing wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
What do you mean the board doesn't know why we spend more than other counties?

This is something a current board member told me when I asked about it. I know that about half the gap is due to us paying debt service (from CIP school bonds) from our operating budget. For other school systems like Alexandria and Montgomery County the city/county handles CIP funds or the bond payments instead of the school system. The other half of the gap is harder to explain -- adjusted for student population we have similar class sizes, number of schools, student-teacher ratios, and transportation costs as our neighbors. Our teachers are more tenured on average (so higher on the step scale), but we pay them less, and it almost exactly evens out. We also have similar programs (option or magnet schools, extra curriculars, etc).

Anonymous wrote:
Four-fifths of the budget is staff salaries and Arlington has lower class sizes and smaller schools than most other counties (i.e., more staff).

Our school sizes are comparable. We do have slightly smaller class sizes (compared to say Fairfax), but similar to FCC and Manassas City. It doesn't account for the full difference.
Any real differences provides opportunities to increase efficiency. Even if we can reduce costs by 3%, it would more than close our budget deficit.

Anonymous wrote:
You talk about special ed staffing above--this is all based on planning factors and the number of students in the school with IEPs. You're suggesting that each school be allocated different numbers of staff based on (something) instead of having a uniform staffing model? How would that work? Who determines how many staff are really needed at each school? And as for letting go the "youngest" teacher, you probably mean the teacher with the least tenure, which is how that works in every school district in the country. Not to mention that APS staff are offered positions elsewhere in the system if a position is eliminated at a specific school.

Maybe you should volunteer for some committees and learn some more about how school systems work before running for one of the five board seats--we don't need another board member who only started paying attention when their kids hit elementary school and is now going to learn on the job by asking questions that have already been asked and answered a thousand times. You might also learn about what a school board is responsible for versus the paid school administration, and why you don't get answers from the people you are asking.

I understand your concern -- I know I have a lot to learn. On the other hand, I was an English Language learner who relied on in-school free meals, and my current level of success was due in large part to the amazing teachers I had in my public school education. I care deeply about the success of our public school system. And yes my kids are young, but that means that I am invested in this for the long term.

I think I bring a unique set of skills to the school board (technology, data) that they are currently lacking. I also appreciate that I'm in a privileged position to be able to serve on a school board in the first place. It's not something I do lightly or for vanity.

We get that you care but how exactly does that qualify you to oversee my kid's school district when it's clear I know far more about it than you do?

Why are you being such an a$$? You are the reason why good candidates don’t run.

I don’t understand why ppl on this thread are being so nasty to someone who is actually POSTING HERE UNDER HIS OWN NAME. Come back when any of the other school board candidates do that.

+1

This is literally the process of running for office. The public gets to ask you questions about your qualifications and you have to defend/explain yourself and make a case for why you should be elected. I don't think anyone has said anything on here that would not be asked in one of the public forums, of any of the candidates. Just because he chose to publicly come on DCUM doesn't mean he gets to just present his side and walk away--of course he will be subject to questioning and examination.

And he patiently responded to a lot of specific questions. It isn't the questioning that's the problem. It's the rude comments completely dismissing him because he isn't a professional educator or doesn't have enough "time in." In and of themselves, those factors can be reasonable points to consider in the overall judgment of one's suitability for the role. But the comments asking why he thinks he can solve the problems with no knowledge (like any SB member ever really has the necessary knowledge going in), are snarky and rude and just unnecessary as the initial response to his willingness to post. I haven't met the guy and haven't looked into any of the candidates, yet. IMO, anyone who is willing to stick their neck out and run is worthy of at least a basic level of respect.

I see Chen's campaign manager is here defending him! Good work!

Such a predictable response - and so predictably WRONG.

sure, you're not part of his campaign, we all believe you.

When your first response to a request for respect and human decency is to assume the requester is a front man for a candidate, it’s a sign you need to get offline for a while. Go touch grass. Look at the sky. Feel the wind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why the hate on here for CL? Dude is running for school board, politely responding to people on DCUM of all places, and people are attacking him. But ZTH and LF are getting a complete pass.

Careful. If you even pretend to defend CL, you're going to be accused of being part of his campaign team and therefore nothing you say is credible.

[Anonymous]

ChenLing wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Chen seems sincere but has he done anything in APS literally at all?

(Reposting from the other similar thread: https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/30/1185438.page. Please read my replies to various questions there.)

Hi. Honestly not a whole lot -- I've done the standard things that an involved and privileged parent has done -- I've joined my school's PTA, I've donated, I've volunteered in the classroom and as a chaperone.
Outside of APS proper, I teach ballroom dance at College Park, I coach my daughter's soccer team, I tutor undergraduate CS students, and I'm mentoring a couple of high school students (one in APS).

My wife and I moved to Arlington for the excellent schools. It wasn't something I thought I needed to worry about. I got involved because of the boundary change process. During public hearings I, along with others, asked questions for which we received responses but not real answers. At the time I didn't know whether they didn't want to give us the answer or if they didn't have the answer. So I started digging -- reading board docs, watching old board meetings, asked followup questions, etc., and it became obvious that they often didn't have the answer.

This kind of problem isn't unique to APS. I've seen this in many organizations where some things are done a certain way because of risk aversion, because it was the easy thing to do, or because "it's always been done that way". I have a lot of experience trying (successfully and unsuccessfully) to fix these underlying problems. I believe that this skill set -- active listening, problem solving, people coordination -- would be a useful one for the school board.

Since then I've been learning as much as I can -- talking with teachers, parents, principals, facilities folks, and (since declaring) every member of the current board except CDT.
I know I have a lot to learn still, but I'm a fast learner and public education is something I truly care about.

Thank you for taking the time to post here. I think someone who is an outsider to the entrenched system, especially one with a quantitative background, would be a good addition to the school board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why the hate on here for CL? Dude is running for school board, politely responding to people on DCUM of all places, and people are attacking him. But ZTH and LF are getting a complete pass.

Careful. If you even pretend to defend CL, you're going to be accused of being part of his campaign team and therefore nothing you say is credible.

The question is why people are deflecting and making ad hominem attacks when someone is just asking basic questions about CL's experience and qualifications?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

ChenLing wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
What do you mean the board doesn't know why we spend more than other counties?

This is something a current board member told me when I asked about it. I know that about half the gap is due to us paying debt service (from CIP school bonds) from our operating budget. For other school systems like Alexandria and Montgomery County the city/county handles CIP funds or the bond payments instead of the school system. The other half of the gap is harder to explain -- adjusted for student population we have similar class sizes, number of schools, student-teacher ratios, and transportation costs as our neighbors. Our teachers are more tenured on average (so higher on the step scale), but we pay them less, and it almost exactly evens out. We also have similar programs (option or magnet schools, extra curriculars, etc).

Anonymous wrote:
Four-fifths of the budget is staff salaries and Arlington has lower class sizes and smaller schools than most other counties (i.e., more staff).

Our school sizes are comparable. We do have slightly smaller class sizes (compared to say Fairfax), but similar to FCC and Manassas City. It doesn't account for the full difference.
Any real differences provides opportunities to increase efficiency. Even if we can reduce costs by 3%, it would more than close our budget deficit.

Anonymous wrote:
You talk about special ed staffing above--this is all based on planning factors and the number of students in the school with IEPs. You're suggesting that each school be allocated different numbers of staff based on (something) instead of having a uniform staffing model? How would that work? Who determines how many staff are really needed at each school? And as for letting go the "youngest" teacher, you probably mean the teacher with the least tenure, which is how that works in every school district in the country. Not to mention that APS staff are offered positions elsewhere in the system if a position is eliminated at a specific school.

Maybe you should volunteer for some committees and learn some more about how school systems work before running for one of the five board seats--we don't need another board member who only started paying attention when their kids hit elementary school and is now going to learn on the job by asking questions that have already been asked and answered a thousand times. You might also learn about what a school board is responsible for versus the paid school administration, and why you don't get answers from the people you are asking.

I understand your concern -- I know I have a lot to learn. On the other hand, I was an English Language learner who relied on in-school free meals, and my current level of success was due in large part to the amazing teachers I had in my public school education. I care deeply about the success of our public school system. And yes my kids are young, but that means that I am invested in this for the long term.

I think I bring a unique set of skills to the school board (technology, data) that they are currently lacking. I also appreciate that I'm in a privileged position to be able to serve on a school board in the first place. It's not something I do lightly or for vanity.

We get that you care but how exactly does that qualify you to oversee my kid's school district when it's clear I know far more about it than you do?

Why are you being such an a$$? You are the reason why good candidates don’t run.

I don’t understand why ppl on this thread are being so nasty to someone who is actually POSTING HERE UNDER HIS OWN NAME. Come back when any of the other school board candidates do that.

+1

This is literally the process of running for office. The public gets to ask you questions about your qualifications and you have to defend/explain yourself and make a case for why you should be elected. I don't think anyone has said anything on here that would not be asked in one of the public forums, of any of the candidates. Just because he chose to publicly come on DCUM doesn't mean he gets to just present his side and walk away--of course he will be subject to questioning and examination.

And he patiently responded to a lot of specific questions. It isn't the questioning that's the problem. It's the rude comments completely dismissing him because he isn't a professional educator or doesn't have enough "time in." In and of themselves, those factors can be reasonable points to consider in the overall judgment of one's suitability for the role. But the comments asking why he thinks he can solve the problems with no knowledge (like any SB member ever really has the necessary knowledge going in), are snarky and rude and just unnecessary as the initial response to his willingness to post. I haven't met the guy and haven't looked into any of the candidates, yet. IMO, anyone who is willing to stick their neck out and run is worthy of at least a basic level of respect.

I see Chen's campaign manager is here defending him! Good work!

Such a predictable response - and so predictably WRONG.

sure, you're not part of his campaign, we all believe you.

When your first response to a request for respect and human decency is to assume the requester is a front man for a candidate, it’s a sign you need to get offline for a while. Go touch grass. Look at the sky. Feel the wind.

Why is your first response to attack someone who is merely asking questions about the qualifications of a school board candidate? why are you defending CL at all costs and attacking someone who is asking relevant questions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why the hate on here for CL? Dude is running for school board, politely responding to people on DCUM of all places, and people are attacking him. But ZTH and LF are getting a complete pass.

+1. I think it’s totally fine to challenge his credentials but don’t use the anonymity as cover for being rude.

Unfortunately I agree that other than Clark the other three are completely unqualified.

no one is being rude, unless you think it's rude to ask questions about someone's qualifications and experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

ChenLing wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
What do you mean the board doesn't know why we spend more than other counties?

This is something a current board member told me when I asked about it. I know that about half the gap is due to us paying debt service (from CIP school bonds) from our operating budget. For other school systems like Alexandria and Montgomery County the city/county handles CIP funds or the bond payments instead of the school system. The other half of the gap is harder to explain -- adjusted for student population we have similar class sizes, number of schools, student-teacher ratios, and transportation costs as our neighbors. Our teachers are more tenured on average (so higher on the step scale), but we pay them less, and it almost exactly evens out. We also have similar programs (option or magnet schools, extra curriculars, etc).

Anonymous wrote:
Four-fifths of the budget is staff salaries and Arlington has lower class sizes and smaller schools than most other counties (i.e., more staff).

Our school sizes are comparable. We do have slightly smaller class sizes (compared to say Fairfax), but similar to FCC and Manassas City. It doesn't account for the full difference.
Any real differences provides opportunities to increase efficiency. Even if we can reduce costs by 3%, it would more than close our budget deficit.

Anonymous wrote:
You talk about special ed staffing above--this is all based on planning factors and the number of students in the school with IEPs. You're suggesting that each school be allocated different numbers of staff based on (something) instead of having a uniform staffing model? How would that work? Who determines how many staff are really needed at each school? And as for letting go the "youngest" teacher, you probably mean the teacher with the least tenure, which is how that works in every school district in the country. Not to mention that APS staff are offered positions elsewhere in the system if a position is eliminated at a specific school.

Maybe you should volunteer for some committees and learn some more about how school systems work before running for one of the five board seats--we don't need another board member who only started paying attention when their kids hit elementary school and is now going to learn on the job by asking questions that have already been asked and answered a thousand times. You might also learn about what a school board is responsible for versus the paid school administration, and why you don't get answers from the people you are asking.

I understand your concern -- I know I have a lot to learn. On the other hand, I was an English Language learner who relied on in-school free meals, and my current level of success was due in large part to the amazing teachers I had in my public school education. I care deeply about the success of our public school system. And yes my kids are young, but that means that I am invested in this for the long term.

I think I bring a unique set of skills to the school board (technology, data) that they are currently lacking. I also appreciate that I'm in a privileged position to be able to serve on a school board in the first place. It's not something I do lightly or for vanity.

We get that you care but how exactly does that qualify you to oversee my kid's school district when it's clear I know far more about it than you do?

Why are you being such an a$$? You are the reason why good candidates don’t run.

I don’t understand why ppl on this thread are being so nasty to someone who is actually POSTING HERE UNDER HIS OWN NAME. Come back when any of the other school board candidates do that.

+1

This is literally the process of running for office. The public gets to ask you questions about your qualifications and you have to defend/explain yourself and make a case for why you should be elected. I don't think anyone has said anything on here that would not be asked in one of the public forums, of any of the candidates. Just because he chose to publicly come on DCUM doesn't mean he gets to just present his side and walk away--of course he will be subject to questioning and examination.

+1000
still don't have a response

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

ChenLing wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
What do you mean the board doesn't know why we spend more than other counties?

This is something a current board member told me when I asked about it. I know that about half the gap is due to us paying debt service (from CIP school bonds) from our operating budget. For other school systems like Alexandria and Montgomery County the city/county handles CIP funds or the bond payments instead of the school system. The other half of the gap is harder to explain -- adjusted for student population we have similar class sizes, number of schools, student-teacher ratios, and transportation costs as our neighbors. Our teachers are more tenured on average (so higher on the step scale), but we pay them less, and it almost exactly evens out. We also have similar programs (option or magnet schools, extra curriculars, etc).

Anonymous wrote:
Four-fifths of the budget is staff salaries and Arlington has lower class sizes and smaller schools than most other counties (i.e., more staff).

Our school sizes are comparable. We do have slightly smaller class sizes (compared to say Fairfax), but similar to FCC and Manassas City. It doesn't account for the full difference.
Any real differences provides opportunities to increase efficiency. Even if we can reduce costs by 3%, it would more than close our budget deficit.

Anonymous wrote:
You talk about special ed staffing above--this is all based on planning factors and the number of students in the school with IEPs. You're suggesting that each school be allocated different numbers of staff based on (something) instead of having a uniform staffing model? How would that work? Who determines how many staff are really needed at each school? And as for letting go the "youngest" teacher, you probably mean the teacher with the least tenure, which is how that works in every school district in the country. Not to mention that APS staff are offered positions elsewhere in the system if a position is eliminated at a specific school.

Maybe you should volunteer for some committees and learn some more about how school systems work before running for one of the five board seats--we don't need another board member who only started paying attention when their kids hit elementary school and is now going to learn on the job by asking questions that have already been asked and answered a thousand times. You might also learn about what a school board is responsible for versus the paid school administration, and why you don't get answers from the people you are asking.

I understand your concern -- I know I have a lot to learn. On the other hand, I was an English Language learner who relied on in-school free meals, and my current level of success was due in large part to the amazing teachers I had in my public school education. I care deeply about the success of our public school system. And yes my kids are young, but that means that I am invested in this for the long term.

I think I bring a unique set of skills to the school board (technology, data) that they are currently lacking. I also appreciate that I'm in a privileged position to be able to serve on a school board in the first place. It's not something I do lightly or for vanity.

We get that you care but how exactly does that qualify you to oversee my kid's school district when it's clear I know far more about it than you do?

Why are you being such an a$$? You are the reason why good candidates don’t run.

I don’t understand why ppl on this thread are being so nasty to someone who is actually POSTING HERE UNDER HIS OWN NAME. Come back when any of the other school board candidates do that.

+1

This is literally the process of running for office. The public gets to ask you questions about your qualifications and you have to defend/explain yourself and make a case for why you should be elected. I don't think anyone has said anything on here that would not be asked in one of the public forums, of any of the candidates. Just because he chose to publicly come on DCUM doesn't mean he gets to just present his side and walk away--of course he will be subject to questioning and examination.

And he patiently responded to a lot of specific questions. It isn't the questioning that's the problem. It's the rude comments completely dismissing him because he isn't a professional educator or doesn't have enough "time in." In and of themselves, those factors can be reasonable points to consider in the overall judgment of one's suitability for the role. But the comments asking why he thinks he can solve the problems with no knowledge (like any SB member ever really has the necessary knowledge going in), are snarky and rude and just unnecessary as the initial response to his willingness to post. I haven't met the guy and haven't looked into any of the candidates, yet. IMO, anyone who is willing to stick their neck out and run is worthy of at least a basic level of respect.

I see Chen's campaign manager is here defending him! Good work!

Such a predictable response - and so predictably WRONG.

sure, you're not part of his campaign, we all believe you.

When your first response to a request for respect and human decency is to assume the requester is a front man for a candidate, it’s a sign you need to get offline for a while. Go touch grass. Look at the sky. Feel the wind.

Why is your first response to attack someone who is merely asking questions about the qualifications of a school board candidate? why are you defending CL at all costs and attacking someone who is asking relevant questions?

I will repeat what I’ve already said—you’re using a straw man. No one has EVER said you can’t ask questions. We are reacting to THE MANNER IN WHICH THEY WERE ASKED. It is the nastiness we are responding to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

ChenLing wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
What do you mean the board doesn't know why we spend more than other counties?

This is something a current board member told me when I asked about it. I know that about half the gap is due to us paying debt service (from CIP school bonds) from our operating budget. For other school systems like Alexandria and Montgomery County the city/county handles CIP funds or the bond payments instead of the school system. The other half of the gap is harder to explain -- adjusted for student population we have similar class sizes, number of schools, student-teacher ratios, and transportation costs as our neighbors. Our teachers are more tenured on average (so higher on the step scale), but we pay them less, and it almost exactly evens out. We also have similar programs (option or magnet schools, extra curriculars, etc).

Anonymous wrote:
Four-fifths of the budget is staff salaries and Arlington has lower class sizes and smaller schools than most other counties (i.e., more staff).

Our school sizes are comparable. We do have slightly smaller class sizes (compared to say Fairfax), but similar to FCC and Manassas City. It doesn't account for the full difference.
Any real differences provides opportunities to increase efficiency. Even if we can reduce costs by 3%, it would more than close our budget deficit.

Anonymous wrote:
You talk about special ed staffing above--this is all based on planning factors and the number of students in the school with IEPs. You're suggesting that each school be allocated different numbers of staff based on (something) instead of having a uniform staffing model? How would that work? Who determines how many staff are really needed at each school? And as for letting go the "youngest" teacher, you probably mean the teacher with the least tenure, which is how that works in every school district in the country. Not to mention that APS staff are offered positions elsewhere in the system if a position is eliminated at a specific school.

Maybe you should volunteer for some committees and learn some more about how school systems work before running for one of the five board seats--we don't need another board member who only started paying attention when their kids hit elementary school and is now going to learn on the job by asking questions that have already been asked and answered a thousand times. You might also learn about what a school board is responsible for versus the paid school administration, and why you don't get answers from the people you are asking.

I understand your concern -- I know I have a lot to learn. On the other hand, I was an English Language learner who relied on in-school free meals, and my current level of success was due in large part to the amazing teachers I had in my public school education. I care deeply about the success of our public school system. And yes my kids are young, but that means that I am invested in this for the long term.

I think I bring a unique set of skills to the school board (technology, data) that they are currently lacking. I also appreciate that I'm in a privileged position to be able to serve on a school board in the first place. It's not something I do lightly or for vanity.

We get that you care but how exactly does that qualify you to oversee my kid's school district when it's clear I know far more about it than you do?

Why are you being such an a$$? You are the reason why good candidates don’t run.

I don’t understand why ppl on this thread are being so nasty to someone who is actually POSTING HERE UNDER HIS OWN NAME. Come back when any of the other school board candidates do that.

+1

This is literally the process of running for office. The public gets to ask you questions about your qualifications and you have to defend/explain yourself and make a case for why you should be elected. I don't think anyone has said anything on here that would not be asked in one of the public forums, of any of the candidates. Just because he chose to publicly come on DCUM doesn't mean he gets to just present his side and walk away--of course he will be subject to questioning and examination.

And he patiently responded to a lot of specific questions. It isn't the questioning that's the problem. It's the rude comments completely dismissing him because he isn't a professional educator or doesn't have enough "time in." In and of themselves, those factors can be reasonable points to consider in the overall judgment of one's suitability for the role. But the comments asking why he thinks he can solve the problems with no knowledge (like any SB member ever really has the necessary knowledge going in), are snarky and rude and just unnecessary as the initial response to his willingness to post. I haven't met the guy and haven't looked into any of the candidates, yet. IMO, anyone who is willing to stick their neck out and run is worthy of at least a basic level of respect.

I see Chen's campaign manager is here defending him! Good work!

Such a predictable response - and so predictably WRONG.

sure, you're not part of his campaign, we all believe you.

When your first response to a request for respect and human decency is to assume the requester is a front man for a candidate, it’s a sign you need to get offline for a while. Go touch grass. Look at the sky. Feel the wind.

Why is your first response to attack someone who is merely asking questions about the qualifications of a school board candidate? why are you defending CL at all costs and attacking someone who is asking relevant questions?

I will repeat what I’ve already said—you’re using a straw man. No one has EVER said you can’t ask questions. We are reacting to THE MANNER IN WHICH THEY WERE ASKED. It is the nastiness we are responding to.

You seem to be finding nastiness where none exists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

ChenLing wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Chen seems sincere but has he done anything in APS literally at all?

(Reposting from the other similar thread: https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/30/1185438.page. Please read my replies to various questions there.)

Hi. Honestly not a whole lot -- I've done the standard things that an involved and privileged parent has done -- I've joined my school's PTA, I've donated, I've volunteered in the classroom and as a chaperone.
Outside of APS proper, I teach ballroom dance at College Park, I coach my daughter's soccer team, I tutor undergraduate CS students, and I'm mentoring a couple of high school students (one in APS).

My wife and I moved to Arlington for the excellent schools. It wasn't something I thought I needed to worry about. I got involved because of the boundary change process. During public hearings I, along with others, asked questions for which we received responses but not real answers. At the time I didn't know whether they didn't want to give us the answer or if they didn't have the answer. So I started digging -- reading board docs, watching old board meetings, asked followup questions, etc., and it became obvious that they often didn't have the answer.

This kind of problem isn't unique to APS. I've seen this in many organizations where some things are done a certain way because of risk aversion, because it was the easy thing to do, or because "it's always been done that way". I have a lot of experience trying (successfully and unsuccessfully) to fix these underlying problems. I believe that this skill set -- active listening, problem solving, people coordination -- would be a useful one for the school board.

Since then I've been learning as much as I can -- talking with teachers, parents, principals, facilities folks, and (since declaring) every member of the current board except CDT.
I know I have a lot to learn still, but I'm a fast learner and public education is something I truly care about.

Thank you for taking the time to post here. I think someone who is an outsider to the entrenched system, especially one with a quantitative background, would be a good addition to the school board.

You could be knowledgable about the system and not be "entrenched" and you could be an outsider and support everything the administration puts forward. What you want to understand about a candidate is their point of view on the major issues facing the school system, or at least how they will approach those issues. An outsider can be well informed, have clear priorities, and be able to explain how they would make decisions and work with the other board members to influence changes. If we learn during the campaign season that a candidate knows so little that they don't have a point of view or basis for evaluating policies, then that should be a major factor in the decision whether or not to vote for them.