Falls Church City School Board Candidates

[Anonymous]

I got the Ilya mailing today...LOL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mr Shapiro is clearly someone who is accomplished and who's opinion (in certain forums) is respected. He is also more than welcome to his opinion. That said a couple of things to note here:

- Mr Shapiro had ZERO children in FCC schools last year during the pandemic. Writing a moderately scathing national article of FCC schools, with just an opinion (rather than a solid reference point) isn't exactly helpful or endearing to the majority of the Falls Church City parents who had kids in school during the pandemic. It's like smelling the food walking past a restaurant and writing a bad yelp review
- Maybe some understanding and empathy to what both the school board, super intendant and teachers were going through? There's no playbook for "new pandemic" out there. They were all caught in between a rock and hard place balancing the safety of kids and getting the kids back into school. We were the first local district to fully open (from recollection). They were not perfect but what do you really expect?
- He appears to the love a Twitter retweet about kids not wearing masks in schools as well. Not sure that really plays too well in FCC right now. I heard Southwest has some bargain flights to Florida right now (just a thought)
- I fail to see - given his clear right leaning opinions on public schools - why he wouldn't just send his kids to private school? Wouldn't that be a more happier resolution for all? I can foresee a situation where's he's critical of every school decision to push his own agenda which will be a massive energy drain

There is a hint of narcissism to Shapiro's candidacy. "I'm here to save the day everyone". Me and lady who put all the signs up. We'll get it done for the parents of FCC.

I don't get this either. If you hate the way the schools in your area are run, and it's clear that your politics/priorities don't line up with a majority of the voters in that area, go find a private school or move somewhere else. Or - here's a thought - volunteer for the schools, serve on the PTA, find a constructive way to learn more about the balancing act a public school's leadership has to make.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mr Shapiro is clearly someone who is accomplished and who's opinion (in certain forums) is respected. He is also more than welcome to his opinion. That said a couple of things to note here:

- Mr Shapiro had ZERO children in FCC schools last year during the pandemic. Writing a moderately scathing national article of FCC schools, with just an opinion (rather than a solid reference point) isn't exactly helpful or endearing to the majority of the Falls Church City parents who had kids in school during the pandemic. It's like smelling the food walking past a restaurant and writing a bad yelp review
- Maybe some understanding and empathy to what both the school board, super intendant and teachers were going through? There's no playbook for "new pandemic" out there. They were all caught in between a rock and hard place balancing the safety of kids and getting the kids back into school. We were the first local district to fully open (from recollection). They were not perfect but what do you really expect?
- He appears to the love a Twitter retweet about kids not wearing masks in schools as well. Not sure that really plays too well in FCC right now. I heard Southwest has some bargain flights to Florida right now (just a thought)
- I fail to see - given his clear right leaning opinions on public schools - why he wouldn't just send his kids to private school? Wouldn't that be a more happier resolution for all? I can foresee a situation where's he's critical of every school decision to push his own agenda which will be a massive energy drain

There is a hint of narcissism to Shapiro's candidacy. "I'm here to save the day everyone". Me and lady who put all the signs up. We'll get it done for the parents of FCC.

I don't get this either. If you hate the way the schools in your area are run, and it's clear that your politics/priorities don't line up with a majority of the voters in that area, go find a private school or move somewhere else. Or - here's a thought - volunteer for the schools, serve on the PTA, find a constructive way to learn more about the balancing act a public school's leadership has to make.

I would hazard a guess that the Shapiros, like most of the residents of FCC that I've met, moved to FCC specifically for the schools. If he's here for the schools and would like to see some changes, is it somehow wrong to seek a spot on the school board? And are you seriously advocating that people self-segregate based on political ideology? Or that unless a person is progressive they are not welcome in FCC?

[Anonymous]

I got the Ilya Shapiro mailer yesterday too as I suspect every registered voter in FCC did. Agree with the above about the WSJ article. His lack of interest or involvement in the schools or the community up until COVID school closures became a highly charged partisan issue is a concern. He's clearly putting a lot of money into a school board campaign (boosted ads everywhere, the mailer, etc) and I am highly suspect of his whole candidacy, intentions, backers and where his campaign money is coming from. It just smacks of right wing ideology cloaked in an air of normalcy and this is not normal. I don't for one second find him to be authentic or upfront about his intentions, especially since he likes to call CATO "non-partisan".

My question is, are people buying it? Does he have a chance? If so, that is concerning to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got the Ilya Shapiro mailer yesterday too as I suspect every registered voter in FCC did. Agree with the above about the WSJ article. His lack of interest or involvement in the schools or the community up until COVID school closures became a highly charged partisan issue is a concern. He's clearly putting a lot of money into a school board campaign (boosted ads everywhere, the mailer, etc) and I am highly suspect of his whole candidacy, intentions, backers and where his campaign money is coming from. It just smacks of right wing ideology cloaked in an air of normalcy and this is not normal. I don't for one second find him to be authentic or upfront about his intentions, especially since he likes to call CATO "non-partisan".

My question is, are people buying it? Does he have a chance? If so, that is concerning to me.

From talking to some local people that’s a concern some have. Given he seems to have a fair bit of backing and is out there pushing his communication strategy he may slip in based on the decreasing candidate base. Some people may equate his ability to send large numbers of mailers due to his out state funding as somehow a worthy candidate. Very concerning. The other candidates need to get organized. We don’t want this guy elected and pushing his own personal agenda. I’ve not seen anything from him which indicates anything different or any suntan word on how he’ll look give our kids better a better educational strategy. I’m hoping people see through this guy

[Anonymous]

I feel like a lot of the opposition to Shapiro is just based on a very knee jerk tribal leftist agenda- that says 'shapiro doesn't think exactly like me, thereby he must be banned from the city.' I'm pretty middle of the road, and don't know Shapiro personally, but I basically intend to vote for him. He and his wife were super involved at Dulin preschool- point being there that they have a history of involvement in their kids schooling, which doesn't make me think he's coming in with some huge secret conservative agenda. My biggest concern about the FCCPS school board right now is the level of group think. They just defer to Noonan. I like Noonan and think he deserves some deference, but the SB needs to be asking some questions. The SB also appears to have some interest in proving their 'wokeness' both with respect to school renamings and the inane calendar they adopted for this year. I don't really care about the school renamings and view the issue as an unnecessary distraction- but the stupid calendar is a disaster- for education, for kids who need continuity, for working parents, etc. This is why I am voting for Shapiro- its that kind of decision that we need a different way of thinking on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mr Shapiro is clearly someone who is accomplished and who's opinion (in certain forums) is respected. He is also more than welcome to his opinion. That said a couple of things to note here:

- Mr Shapiro had ZERO children in FCC schools last year during the pandemic. Writing a moderately scathing national article of FCC schools, with just an opinion (rather than a solid reference point) isn't exactly helpful or endearing to the majority of the Falls Church City parents who had kids in school during the pandemic. It's like smelling the food walking past a restaurant and writing a bad yelp review
- Maybe some understanding and empathy to what both the school board, super intendant and teachers were going through? There's no playbook for "new pandemic" out there. They were all caught in between a rock and hard place balancing the safety of kids and getting the kids back into school. We were the first local district to fully open (from recollection). They were not perfect but what do you really expect?
- He appears to the love a Twitter retweet about kids not wearing masks in schools as well. Not sure that really plays too well in FCC right now. I heard Southwest has some bargain flights to Florida right now (just a thought)
- I fail to see - given his clear right leaning opinions on public schools - why he wouldn't just send his kids to private school? Wouldn't that be a more happier resolution for all? I can foresee a situation where's he's critical of every school decision to push his own agenda which will be a massive energy drain

There is a hint of narcissism to Shapiro's candidacy. "I'm here to save the day everyone". Me and lady who put all the signs up. We'll get it done for the parents of FCC.

I don't get this either. If you hate the way the schools in your area are run, and it's clear that your politics/priorities don't line up with a majority of the voters in that area, go find a private school or move somewhere else. Or - here's a thought - volunteer for the schools, serve on the PTA, find a constructive way to learn more about the balancing act a public school's leadership has to make.

I would hazard a guess that the Shapiros, like most of the residents of FCC that I've met, moved to FCC specifically for the schools. If he's here for the schools and would like to see some changes, is it somehow wrong to seek a spot on the school board? And are you seriously advocating that people self-segregate based on political ideology? Or that unless a person is progressive they are not welcome in FCC?

It's not wrong to seek a spot on the school board to seek changes if you don't like the way your schools are run. But what does this guy know about how the schools are run when he had none in the public schools here? Why not start out by having a kid in the schools, serving as a room parent or attending some PTA meetings before you pass judgment.

Furthermore, it's hard for me to trust someone with overseeing our public schools when he has chosen to work at an institution that advocates for more privatization of our public schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like a lot of the opposition to Shapiro is just based on a very knee jerk tribal leftist agenda- that says 'shapiro doesn't think exactly like me, thereby he must be banned from the city.' I'm pretty middle of the road, and don't know Shapiro personally, but I basically intend to vote for him. He and his wife were super involved at Dulin preschool- point being there that they have a history of involvement in their kids schooling, which doesn't make me think he's coming in with some huge secret conservative agenda. My biggest concern about the FCCPS school board right now is the level of group think. They just defer to Noonan. I like Noonan and think he deserves some deference, but the SB needs to be asking some questions. The SB also appears to have some interest in proving their 'wokeness' both with respect to school renamings and the inane calendar they adopted for this year. I don't really care about the school renamings and view the issue as an unnecessary distraction- but the stupid calendar is a disaster- for education, for kids who need continuity, for working parents, etc. This is why I am voting for Shapiro- its that kind of decision that we need a different way of thinking on.

I assume you mean the days off for religious holidays like Eid, Rosh Hashanah, and Diwali? Or for Veterans Day or Columbus Day?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like a lot of the opposition to Shapiro is just based on a very knee jerk tribal leftist agenda- that says 'shapiro doesn't think exactly like me, thereby he must be banned from the city.' I'm pretty middle of the road, and don't know Shapiro personally, but I basically intend to vote for him. He and his wife were super involved at Dulin preschool- point being there that they have a history of involvement in their kids schooling, which doesn't make me think he's coming in with some huge secret conservative agenda. My biggest concern about the FCCPS school board right now is the level of group think. They just defer to Noonan. I like Noonan and think he deserves some deference, but the SB needs to be asking some questions. The SB also appears to have some interest in proving their 'wokeness' both with respect to school renamings and the inane calendar they adopted for this year. I don't really care about the school renamings and view the issue as an unnecessary distraction- but the stupid calendar is a disaster- for education, for kids who need continuity, for working parents, etc. This is why I am voting for Shapiro- its that kind of decision that we need a different way of thinking on.

I assume you mean the days off for religious holidays like Eid, Rosh Hashanah, and Diwali? Or for Veterans Day or Columbus Day?

all of the above- plus election day. These mid week holidays are killers for kids learning continuity. Look at the first week of November. Monday Nov 1st, no school teacher workday. Tuesday Nov 2nd, No school, election day. Wed Nov 3rd. In person school. Thursday Nov 4th, no school diwali. Friday Nov 5th, in person school. The next week no school in Thursday Nov 11th for election day. Mid week Holidays are extremely disruptive. If we think it is really important to have off for Diwali- that there is a population in FCCPS that is impacting attendance, is stigmatized by not having it off- whatever- then fine take off Diwali. But then we go to school on Veterans Day and on Election day. (the only school that is used as a polling place is Oak Street- find a new polling place or up the police presence as needed).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like a lot of the opposition to Shapiro is just based on a very knee jerk tribal leftist agenda- that says 'shapiro doesn't think exactly like me, thereby he must be banned from the city.' I'm pretty middle of the road, and don't know Shapiro personally, but I basically intend to vote for him. He and his wife were super involved at Dulin preschool- point being there that they have a history of involvement in their kids schooling, which doesn't make me think he's coming in with some huge secret conservative agenda. My biggest concern about the FCCPS school board right now is the level of group think. They just defer to Noonan. I like Noonan and think he deserves some deference, but the SB needs to be asking some questions. The SB also appears to have some interest in proving their 'wokeness' both with respect to school renamings and the inane calendar they adopted for this year. I don't really care about the school renamings and view the issue as an unnecessary distraction- but the stupid calendar is a disaster- for education, for kids who need continuity, for working parents, etc. This is why I am voting for Shapiro- its that kind of decision that we need a different way of thinking on.

Have to agree with the holiday part. It's a little overkill for working parents and I've heard from many fellow parents who agree with this. Felt a little like they just slipped that in on the sly.

From reading the prior comments on here I'm not sure anyone is saying Shapiro should be "banned from the city". To be fair to the people who are commenting on here he did ruffle some feathers by going national in a not particularly glowing review of the local schools. Then said the same things on Fox. Given as someone also said people move here for the good schools, I can see how that can irk some city residents. From someone who had zero kids in the school last year it's a little strange. So to say he's not coming in with an agenda is not 100% accurate. Have you seen his twitter feed spouting kids shouldn't be wearing masks?

Whilst no one disagree's that there needs to be some individual thought process on the board be careful what you wish for. Do we really want someone going on fox and writing in the WSJ every-time there is a decision outside of his sphere of beliefs? How is that going to help anyone or any of our kids as the district spends time and effort defending themselves?

Final point, I think many parents are pretty involved in their kids pre schools, certainly from my experience. Mom's help out, Dads help with reading and classes etc when they can etc

[Anonymous]

I, too, will be voting for Ilya Shapiro. He strikes me as a fine young man. I don't understand why some people are saying "I won't vote for him because his children are too young." That idea seems more than a little creepy to me. You shouldn't have to meet a fertility schedule to run for public office.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like a lot of the opposition to Shapiro is just based on a very knee jerk tribal leftist agenda- that says 'shapiro doesn't think exactly like me, thereby he must be banned from the city.' I'm pretty middle of the road, and don't know Shapiro personally, but I basically intend to vote for him. He and his wife were super involved at Dulin preschool- point being there that they have a history of involvement in their kids schooling, which doesn't make me think he's coming in with some huge secret conservative agenda. My biggest concern about the FCCPS school board right now is the level of group think. They just defer to Noonan. I like Noonan and think he deserves some deference, but the SB needs to be asking some questions. The SB also appears to have some interest in proving their 'wokeness' both with respect to school renamings and the inane calendar they adopted for this year. I don't really care about the school renamings and view the issue as an unnecessary distraction- but the stupid calendar is a disaster- for education, for kids who need continuity, for working parents, etc. This is why I am voting for Shapiro- its that kind of decision that we need a different way of thinking on.

Have to agree with the holiday part. It's a little overkill for working parents and I've heard from many fellow parents who agree with this. Felt a little like they just slipped that in on the sly.

From reading the prior comments on here I'm not sure anyone is saying Shapiro should be "banned from the city". To be fair to the people who are commenting on here he did ruffle some feathers by going national in a not particularly glowing review of the local schools. Then said the same things on Fox. Given as someone also said people move here for the good schools, I can see how that can irk some city residents. From someone who had zero kids in the school last year it's a little strange. So to say he's not coming in with an agenda is not 100% accurate. Have you seen his twitter feed spouting kids shouldn't be wearing masks?

Whilst no one disagree's that there needs to be some individual thought process on the board be careful what you wish for. Do we really want someone going on fox and writing in the WSJ every-time there is a decision outside of his sphere of beliefs? How is that going to help anyone or any of our kids as the district spends time and effort defending themselves?

Final point, I think many parents are pretty involved in their kids pre schools, certainly from my experience. Mom's help out, Dads help with reading and classes etc when they can etc

There is an undercurrent of political tribalism in this thread, which manifests itself by (1) questioning why Shapiro doesn't enroll his kids in private school or move away, and (2) people expressing fear that he may be elected. Even though he may not be banned from the city, he's clearly not welcome by a segment of the city. He may find support just because others are put off by that.

I'm not sure how to factor in Ilya's access to national media platforms; his access certainly isn't conditioned on his being elected to the board. It could be that he'd be more restrained if he WAS elected.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I, too, will be voting for Ilya Shapiro. He strikes me as a fine young man. I don't understand why some people are saying "I won't vote for him because his children are too young." That idea seems more than a little creepy to me. You shouldn't have to meet a fertility schedule to run for public office.

Nothing to with his kids being too young but he nationally criticized the school and school boards response to the pandemic when he had no kids attending the schools.

He had no benchmark to gauge how the school dealt with parents, how the school communicated, how teachers communicate to a parent but still felt the need to nationally criticize.

[Anonymous]

I think the true number of people in FCC who support Ilya won't be apparent until after the polls close. I know several people who plan to vote for him but would never put a sign in their yard and aren't public about their support. Candidates like Ilya generally come in last in FCC elections, but enough people are upset about last year that he may sneak onto the Board.

That said, he can't actually DO anything if he is elected unless three other people vote with him, and he won't have a majority to do anything. If elected, I suspect he'd make the other 6 board members be even more extreme in their support for anything he doesn't like, which honestly scares me more.

At this point, people need to get to know the other 6 candidates and start discussing them, because Ilya is currently sucking all the oxygen out of the room and there are 6 other really interesting people on the ballot!

I'll start: FCNP endorsed Lori Silverman, Kathleen Tysse, Jerrod Anderson, and David Ortiz. Anyone know much about them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the true number of people in FCC who support Ilya won't be apparent until after the polls close. I know several people who plan to vote for him but would never put a sign in their yard and aren't public about their support. Candidates like Ilya generally come in last in FCC elections, but enough people are upset about last year that he may sneak onto the Board.

That said, he can't actually DO anything if he is elected unless three other people vote with him, and he won't have a majority to do anything. If elected, I suspect he'd make the other 6 board members be even more extreme in their support for anything he doesn't like, which honestly scares me more.

At this point, people need to get to know the other 6 candidates and start discussing them, because Ilya is currently sucking all the oxygen out of the room and there are 6 other really interesting people on the ballot!

I'll start: FCNP endorsed Lori Silverman, Kathleen Tysse, Jerrod Anderson, and David Ortiz. Anyone know much about them?

uggh. I view a fcnp endorsement as a blackmark, and I was otherwise planning to vote for Silverman and Anderson.....