FCPS School Board candidates in Dranesville

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not answer them here?

Because for one; it will be a very long response, and more importantly, because the questions are not an attempt to understand my positions, but an attempt to draw a pre-determined conclusion that; "my proposals have holes in them". Viewed from this perspective, then everyone's positions on almost every topic has holes in them. The conclusions that the author draws from my proposals are themselves based on assumptions that the author has made and which I never proposed. The comment about how my proposals are stereotyping students and communities is well off the mark and cannot be concluded by anyone who did not have a predetermined perspective on my stances in advance. It sounds like the author does not wish to understand my positions, but argue why his/her predetermined stances justify why he/she will be voting for one of the other candidates. Having this conversation in person or via phone will be a lot easier.

[Anonymous]

I am not impressed with any of the three Dranesville candidates. I have visited their websites and found them all to be significantly flawed. I have met one on one with the most promising one and came away thinking that I would write in someone else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am not impressed with any of the three Dranesville candidates. I have visited their websites and found them all to be significantly flawed. I have met one on one with the most promising one and came away thinking that I would write in someone else.

I love the fact that writing in is an option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not answer them here?

Because for one; it will be a very long response, and more importantly, because the questions are not an attempt to understand my positions, but an attempt to draw a pre-determined conclusion that; "my proposals have holes in them". Viewed from this perspective, then everyone's positions on almost every topic has holes in them. The conclusions that the author draws from my proposals are themselves based on assumptions that the author has made and which I never proposed. The comment about how my proposals are stereotyping students and communities is well off the mark and cannot be concluded by anyone who did not have a predetermined perspective on my stances in advance. It sounds like the author does not wish to understand my positions, but argue why his/her predetermined stances justify why he/she will be voting for one of the other candidates. Having this conversation in person or via phone will be a lot easier.

This seems overly defensive, given the earlier comment that the questions were "excellent." If you think the questions are based on false premises, it seems like it would be easy enough to clarify your positions and correct any misimpressions.

While some in Dranesville will automatically vote the D or R ticket, many people are still listening to what the various candidates have to say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not answer them here?

Because for one; it will be a very long response, and more importantly, because the questions are not an attempt to understand my positions, but an attempt to draw a pre-determined conclusion that; "my proposals have holes in them". Viewed from this perspective, then everyone's positions on almost every topic has holes in them. The conclusions that the author draws from my proposals are themselves based on assumptions that the author has made and which I never proposed. The comment about how my proposals are stereotyping students and communities is well off the mark and cannot be concluded by anyone who did not have a predetermined perspective on my stances in advance. It sounds like the author does not wish to understand my positions, but argue why his/her predetermined stances justify why he/she will be voting for one of the other candidates. Having this conversation in person or via phone will be a lot easier.

This seems overly defensive, given the earlier comment that the questions were "excellent." If you think the questions are based on false premises, it seems like it would be easy enough to clarify your positions and correct any misimpressions.

While some in Dranesville will automatically vote the D or R ticket, many people are still listening to what the various candidates have to say.

I am the poster who asked a few days ago re: who to vote for, and unfortunately I have to agree. Would love to be convinced Ardavan is not "Great Falls First" (and subsequently vote for him), but that's my growing fear. As much as I dislike aspects of "One Fairfax," Trumpians, and overall politics in schooling, not representing ALL of Dranesville EQUALLY feels like a worse scenario. Great Falls/Langley cannot be treated like some sacred cow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not answer them here?

Because for one; it will be a very long response, and more importantly, because the questions are not an attempt to understand my positions, but an attempt to draw a pre-determined conclusion that; "my proposals have holes in them". Viewed from this perspective, then everyone's positions on almost every topic has holes in them. The conclusions that the author draws from my proposals are themselves based on assumptions that the author has made and which I never proposed. The comment about how my proposals are stereotyping students and communities is well off the mark and cannot be concluded by anyone who did not have a predetermined perspective on my stances in advance. It sounds like the author does not wish to understand my positions, but argue why his/her predetermined stances justify why he/she will be voting for one of the other candidates. Having this conversation in person or via phone will be a lot easier.

This seems overly defensive, given the earlier comment that the questions were "excellent." If you think the questions are based on false premises, it seems like it would be easy enough to clarify your positions and correct any misimpressions.

While some in Dranesville will automatically vote the D or R ticket, many people are still listening to what the various candidates have to say.

I am the poster who asked a few days ago re: who to vote for, and unfortunately I have to agree. Would love to be convinced Ardavan is not "Great Falls First" (and subsequently vote for him), but that's my growing fear. As much as I dislike aspects of "One Fairfax," Trumpians, and overall politics in schooling, not representing ALL of Dranesville EQUALLY feels like a worse scenario. Great Falls/Langley cannot be treated like some sacred cow.

I can assure you that I am not “Great Falls First”. I am for “One Great Falls”, just as I am equally “McLean Deserves Better”, and we should “Let Herndon Decide”. Can you please put 15 minutes of your time and visit me at the library on Tuesday between 5:00 and 6:30 to meet me in person and we can talk? Just 15 minutes is all I ask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not answer them here?

Because for one; it will be a very long response, and more importantly, because the questions are not an attempt to understand my positions, but an attempt to draw a pre-determined conclusion that; "my proposals have holes in them". Viewed from this perspective, then everyone's positions on almost every topic has holes in them. The conclusions that the author draws from my proposals are themselves based on assumptions that the author has made and which I never proposed. The comment about how my proposals are stereotyping students and communities is well off the mark and cannot be concluded by anyone who did not have a predetermined perspective on my stances in advance. It sounds like the author does not wish to understand my positions, but argue why his/her predetermined stances justify why he/she will be voting for one of the other candidates. Having this conversation in person or via phone will be a lot easier.

This seems overly defensive, given the earlier comment that the questions were "excellent." If you think the questions are based on false premises, it seems like it would be easy enough to clarify your positions and correct any misimpressions.

While some in Dranesville will automatically vote the D or R ticket, many people are still listening to what the various candidates have to say.

I did not mean to be overly aggressive. I wanted to make a point that this forum is probably not the best place to try and answer all of your questions given that you sound skeptical about my proposals. Do you have 15 minutes on Tuesday to come to my meet and greet and for us to talk?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am not impressed with any of the three Dranesville candidates. I have visited their websites and found them all to be significantly flawed. I have met one on one with the most promising one and came away thinking that I would write in someone else.

Do you have 15 minutes to spare next Tuesday? Please come to my Meet & Greet at the Dolley Madison Library. I'll be there from 5 to 6:30pm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not answer them here?

Because for one; it will be a very long response, and more importantly, because the questions are not an attempt to understand my positions, but an attempt to draw a pre-determined conclusion that; "my proposals have holes in them". Viewed from this perspective, then everyone's positions on almost every topic has holes in them. The conclusions that the author draws from my proposals are themselves based on assumptions that the author has made and which I never proposed. The comment about how my proposals are stereotyping students and communities is well off the mark and cannot be concluded by anyone who did not have a predetermined perspective on my stances in advance. It sounds like the author does not wish to understand my positions, but argue why his/her predetermined stances justify why he/she will be voting for one of the other candidates. Having this conversation in person or via phone will be a lot easier.

This seems overly defensive, given the earlier comment that the questions were "excellent." If you think the questions are based on false premises, it seems like it would be easy enough to clarify your positions and correct any misimpressions.

While some in Dranesville will automatically vote the D or R ticket, many people are still listening to what the various candidates have to say.

I am the poster who asked a few days ago re: who to vote for, and unfortunately I have to agree. Would love to be convinced Ardavan is not "Great Falls First" (and subsequently vote for him), but that's my growing fear. As much as I dislike aspects of "One Fairfax," Trumpians, and overall politics in schooling, not representing ALL of Dranesville EQUALLY feels like a worse scenario. Great Falls/Langley cannot be treated like some sacred cow.

I can assure you that I am not “Great Falls First”. I am for “One Great Falls”, just as I am equally “McLean Deserves Better”, and we should “Let Herndon Decide”. Can you please put 15 minutes of your time and visit me at the library on Tuesday between 5:00 and 6:30 to meet me in person and we can talk? Just 15 minutes is all I ask.

Thanks for the response and invite. Still you should know that your McSpaces answers sound like someone from Great Falls trying very hard to convince someone from McLean to go against their near term interests. And if those answers, and this “I can’t lay it out except face to face” are the best you can say to McLean, that does not bode well. What is wrong with moving kids from MHS pyramid to Langley now ...You should be able to answer such questions satisfactorily in writing. I know your campaign started mere months ago out of pure GF/Langley concern. You have to overcome that fact and show all of Dranesville you are truly committed to a broader constituency. I hope you do.

[Anonymous]

I wish Herndon would host a candidate forum. Obviously residents can come to the one hosted by the McLean citizens association but one in town would be nice.

[Anonymous]

Herndon has them but they are typically hosted by Democratic liberals who only invite Democratic candidates. Those living in Herndon will need to travel to meet the other candidates. Herndon typically votes for the Democrats 70% of the time.

But what does Herndon want candidates to do for them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish Herndon would host a candidate forum. Obviously residents can come to the one hosted by the McLean citizens association but one in town would be nice.

I will be hosting a Meet & Greet next Wednesday the 16th in Herndon Library. Please see the details below. I would love to meet and speak with you and others. Please forward to any parent in the Herndon pyramid that you know.

Wednesday October 16th: "Meet & Greet" at Herndon Fortnightly Library from 5:00 to 7:00pm

https://www.facebook.com/events/539712143452409/

https://nextdoor.com/events/va/great-falls/meet-greet-ardavan-mobasheri-school-board-candidate-dranesville-3284061

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not answer them here?

Because for one; it will be a very long response, and more importantly, because the questions are not an attempt to understand my positions, but an attempt to draw a pre-determined conclusion that; "my proposals have holes in them". Viewed from this perspective, then everyone's positions on almost every topic has holes in them. The conclusions that the author draws from my proposals are themselves based on assumptions that the author has made and which I never proposed. The comment about how my proposals are stereotyping students and communities is well off the mark and cannot be concluded by anyone who did not have a predetermined perspective on my stances in advance. It sounds like the author does not wish to understand my positions, but argue why his/her predetermined stances justify why he/she will be voting for one of the other candidates. Having this conversation in person or via phone will be a lot easier.

This seems overly defensive, given the earlier comment that the questions were "excellent." If you think the questions are based on false premises, it seems like it would be easy enough to clarify your positions and correct any misimpressions.

While some in Dranesville will automatically vote the D or R ticket, many people are still listening to what the various candidates have to say.

I am the poster who asked a few days ago re: who to vote for, and unfortunately I have to agree. Would love to be convinced Ardavan is not "Great Falls First" (and subsequently vote for him), but that's my growing fear. As much as I dislike aspects of "One Fairfax," Trumpians, and overall politics in schooling, not representing ALL of Dranesville EQUALLY feels like a worse scenario. Great Falls/Langley cannot be treated like some sacred cow.

I can assure you that I am not “Great Falls First”. I am for “One Great Falls”, just as I am equally “McLean Deserves Better”, and we should “Let Herndon Decide”. Can you please put 15 minutes of your time and visit me at the library on Tuesday between 5:00 and 6:30 to meet me in person and we can talk? Just 15 minutes is all I ask.

Thanks for the response and invite. Still you should know that your McSpaces answers sound like someone from Great Falls trying very hard to convince someone from McLean to go against their near term interests. And if those answers, and this “I can’t lay it out except face to face” are the best you can say to McLean, that does not bode well. What is wrong with moving kids from MHS pyramid to Langley now ...You should be able to answer such questions satisfactorily in writing. I know your campaign started mere months ago out of pure GF/Langley concern. You have to overcome that fact and show all of Dranesville you are truly committed to a broader constituency. I hope you do.

This is why I don't like answering in these types of settings. A conversation that can be completed in 15 minutes can drag on for days. This is a very important subject. Can you please find 15 minutes on Tueday to come and meet me? Can you at least reach out to me at [e-mail] so that I can send you my letter to the GFCA and MCA about boundary changes? I am not opposed to boundary changes at all, I simply don't want to do something that in three years will have us back to square one again. Please come see me or reach out to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Herndon has them but they are typically hosted by Democratic liberals who only invite Democratic candidates. Those living in Herndon will need to travel to meet the other candidates. Herndon typically votes for the Democrats 70% of the time.

But what does Herndon want candidates to do for them?

Here's a few:
1) Improve the ratings of Herndon schools
2) Continue the AAP program. I read that the school board was going to try to increase diversity by aiming for equal percentages across demographics. How would this be implemented?
3) How are Herndon schools achieving accreditation when 33% of students passed 7th grade math? This year the score improved to something like 42%, but other scores decreased.
4) Reading - this year the middle school is not reading novels. I know they will be reading short stories, but I think there are good stories they should be reading. Other schools haven't stopped reading the novels. Why does it seem that Herndon drops requirements that others don't?
5) Does Herndon High offer the same AP classes as McLean or other highly rated schools? If fewer students take them, I believe we will lose them by the time my kids enter high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Herndon has them but they are typically hosted by Democratic liberals who only invite Democratic candidates. Those living in Herndon will need to travel to meet the other candidates. Herndon typically votes for the Democrats 70% of the time.

But what does Herndon want candidates to do for them?

Here's a few:
1) Improve the ratings of Herndon schools
2) Continue the AAP program. I read that the school board was going to try to increase diversity by aiming for equal percentages across demographics. How would this be implemented?
3) How are Herndon schools achieving accreditation when 33% of students passed 7th grade math? This year the score improved to something like 42%, but other scores decreased.
4) Reading - this year the middle school is not reading novels. I know they will be reading short stories, but I think there are good stories they should be reading. Other schools haven't stopped reading the novels. Why does it seem that Herndon drops requirements that others don't?
5) Does Herndon High offer the same AP classes as McLean or other highly rated schools? If fewer students take them, I believe we will lose them by the time my kids enter high school.

What concrete steps can be taken to improve the school ratings?