Arl Dems Caucus Endorsement - School Board - In the Candidates' Words

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also want to point out, FWIW, that the reason the angriest APE types have settled down now is not because Miranda Turner is no longer in leadership there, it's because schools finally re-opened again and things are moving back to normal. The extreme, fringe, angry people were angry about Covid and school closures. Those people stayed loud and angry until schools fully opened again (which, in Arlington, took 1.5 years, and even then, our first year back was an odd one). So the fact that the tone of those people changed over time has nothing to do with leadership. They were reacting to circumstances.

I think it's fair to ask how Miranda advocated during that time, and the answer is that she clearly wanted schools open, but had a much more reasonable tone. So I really don't get the grudge holding and finger pointing here, but we are on pg. 22 of this thread, so I don't expect my thoughts here to change anyone's mind. But I do think it's ridiculous to blame her for all that anger. That was a societal anger.

I totally agree. People were reacting to a once-in-a-lifetime event. People were really suffering trying to work, raise their kids, and help with virtual schooling. It was a terrible time. I don’t understand why people are holding into this so hard and blaming a candidate who was not the voice of the fringe.

She was the leader of the fringe.

One of the worst "fringe" was her campaign manager and still involved with her now. He's on her contribution list and is photographed on her current website.

Untrustworthy.

Yep I remember that campaign manager's vicious and unfounded attacks on Miranda's opponent and her supporters last time. Not to mention our teachers. It was awful. How is someone like that supposed to bring the community together?

I think you would benefit from some serious perspective. I'm truly sorry a previous school board race has traumatized you. I can't imagine how you function in everyday life...I guess constantly trolling DCUM must be all you can manage.

This is exactly the type of meanness we see from the Miranda camp. I don't want a leader beholden to people like you who clearly do not care about me. And not only do not care, but are actively mean.

+1

[Anonymous]

I mean, you guys, this is an anonymous board. We could all be bots for all anyone knows. Saying you are basing your vote on the actions of purported supporters of a candidate in a forum like this strikes me as ... credulous?

Vote or don't vote for Miranda (I, personally, am voting for her, and happily), but don't say your vote is influenced by the words of anonymous strangers. That's just weird. This whole thread is seeming more and more like a rorschach test test. Just admit you hate her and move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also want to point out, FWIW, that the reason the angriest APE types have settled down now is not because Miranda Turner is no longer in leadership there, it's because schools finally re-opened again and things are moving back to normal. The extreme, fringe, angry people were angry about Covid and school closures. Those people stayed loud and angry until schools fully opened again (which, in Arlington, took 1.5 years, and even then, our first year back was an odd one). So the fact that the tone of those people changed over time has nothing to do with leadership. They were reacting to circumstances.

I think it's fair to ask how Miranda advocated during that time, and the answer is that she clearly wanted schools open, but had a much more reasonable tone. So I really don't get the grudge holding and finger pointing here, but we are on pg. 22 of this thread, so I don't expect my thoughts here to change anyone's mind. But I do think it's ridiculous to blame her for all that anger. That was a societal anger.

Agree. As for PP who keeps saying that angry parents are responsible for the lasting harm done to our community. Puh-leaze. APS has always had groups of angry parents (remember past boundary fights?). The harm done to our community was in APS staying closed for far too long. Even the angriest of the APE haters agree that we stayed closed too long and kids have alot of unmet needs. The harm done to our community was not providing for kids of essential workers, like fairfax and ACPS did. The harms done to our kids were not in prioritizing the needs of students with disabilities, like PWC did. We had a roadmap on how to reopen schools safely in summer of 2020. Schools around the nation were figuring it out. Parochial schools in Arlington with far fewer resources than APS were figuring it out. You know what the lasting harms are in APS? The mental health issues and achievement gaps that are now chasms. Angry parents did not cause those lasting harms. It's now 2023. A few people are still stuck in 2020. Fortunately, it seems like those angry parents and Miranda aren't with them.

Huh? The kids went back to the classrooms after the teachers were vaccinated, which was a reasonable and common timeframe. What did Fairfax and ACPS do for essential worker kids that APS did not?

The pandemic harmed our kids. The bully parents harmed our community.

Fairfax's SACC program operated for a subset of kids - mostly at title 1 schools. Districts all around us including DC and MoCo all had so-called equity hubs, usually staffed by lower-paid hourly workers. ACPS offered something similar through a program with the city. All of these were reasonably successful and served alot of kids who didn't otherwise have a place to safely go during the day. Good for their elected officials for figuring something out. APS had a tiny program that served only a few APS staff who had to be in person and our County only ever responded to requests saying they couldn't do any more.

So, in Fairfax, it was organized/run by the county and it was limited to ~1% of of students. It's great they were able to offer that to vulnerable families but with respect to Arlington/APS you are misdirecting your anger. Yes, the county definitely prioritized bars/gyms over schools. That wasn't APS' call.

I am not angry. Are you? The same was true for fairfax, Alexandria, moco and dc that bars and gyms were prioritized over schools. But elected leaders in all of those places came together to find solutions for those with the greatest need. They led and took votes on hard issues. And PWC had loads of students in schools by November or so. They were the real leader on this. None of that happened in Arlington.

I was shocked that arlington, a place I thought was led by smart and progressive leaders, simply dithered when other places were at least trying things. I’m not angry and never yelled at any of these people, but my eyes are open now. And I want a leader on the school board who will have be brave enough to at least ask for a vote on hard issues.

She wasn't "brave" enough to stand up to people in her own organization.

I don't trust her to do the right thing in the future.

Yawn. You have no idea what she did or did not do. Nor do I. Maybe they're not angry because everyone has moved on; maybe APE is striking a different tone because of her. Whatever it is, doesn't seem like she's done "lasting harm" to our community. In these 20 some pagses of comments, I see she's met regularly with Duran, got endorsed by his former CoS, has random community members writing in letters on her behalf, and so on. Doesn't sound much like lasting harm. Sounds like Arlington is ready to put the pandemic behind us. Thank goodness.

We aren’t talking about the pandemic. We are talking about her willingness to partner - and lead - those people.

Has she ever apologized for that?

She certainly didn’t demonstrate “bravery” during a crisis. Quite the opposite.

LOL.

which include the people still involved in her current campaign.

You’re obviously holding a grudge because Miranda Turner held a different opinion than you on opening schools. As time goes on, it’s becoming more and more mainstream to admit that long school closures were a mistake. That’s why no one is listening to you.

At the time, waiting until teachers were vaccinated was a reasonable and common decision to bring kids back to the classroom.

The issue isn't her opinion about when schools should have brought kids back into the classroom. The issue was the bullying of teachers/parents/staff by the members of her group. People who did work very closely with her then and still do today. The bullying was in-person at school board meetings, on AEM (w/real names), and even during virtual classroom (with kids present).

She has never apologized for her group. And continues to be close to some of the worst offenders.

I don't trust her judgment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As time goes on, the community wants to return to normal and focus on supporting our kids. That's why MT on the board will be a 4-year distraction, no matter what your opinion is about her past behavior. We will never be able to move on with her on the board. Sad.

Being constantly distracted by the mere presence of one person on a 5 member board sounds like a you problem, frankly.

It's an all of us problem now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I also want to point out, FWIW, that the reason the angriest APE types have settled down now is not because Miranda Turner is no longer in leadership there, it's because schools finally re-opened again and things are moving back to normal. The extreme, fringe, angry people were angry about Covid and school closures. Those people stayed loud and angry until schools fully opened again (which, in Arlington, took 1.5 years, and even then, our first year back was an odd one). So the fact that the tone of those people changed over time has nothing to do with leadership. They were reacting to circumstances.

I think it's fair to ask how Miranda advocated during that time, and the answer is that she clearly wanted schools open, but had a much more reasonable tone. So I really don't get the grudge holding and finger pointing here, but we are on pg. 22 of this thread, so I don't expect my thoughts here to change anyone's mind. But I do think it's ridiculous to blame her for all that anger. That was a societal anger.

Yes, this is the key question for me. She actually remained calm, used rational thinking, didn't take covid on as a political position, and clearly is able to respond to the threats - real or imagined - of bullying from other adults without caving out of fear. This is really the key skill that is missing from the current board. No one from the current board was able to do this. Not a single one.


Are you kidding? APE bullied the school board relentlessly and the board handled that. APE and Miranda's campaign supporters and even her own manager bullied Miranda's opponent (and her supporters) last time and Miranda's opponent handled that very gracefully.

Miranda didn't respond to the bullying in her own camp. Not at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean, you guys, this is an anonymous board. We could all be bots for all anyone knows. Saying you are basing your vote on the actions of purported supporters of a candidate in a forum like this strikes me as ... credulous?

Vote or don't vote for Miranda (I, personally, am voting for her, and happily), but don't say your vote is influenced by the words of anonymous strangers. That's just weird. This whole thread is seeming more and more like a rorschach test test. Just admit you hate her and move on.

My vote is influenced by her, at best, inaction around the identifiable people I observed myself, not DCUM. People who are participating in her current campaign.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Saw this posted elsewhere: https://www.gazetteleader.com/arlington/opinion/letter-turner-is-optimal-choice-in-school-board-race-6909377

To the editor: We are writing to express our enthusiastic support for Miranda Turner to receive the Democratic endorsement for the Arlington School Board election.

We have been elementary-school tutors for disadvantaged Arlington and D.C. students. We have witnessed the severe extent that the last few years have significantly diminished literacy and widened equity gaps. Our current reality is that Arlington has kids in fourth and fifth grade who are functionally illiterate. Instead of reading to learn, they are still struggling with learning to read.

Turner’s No. 1 priority is rightly on instruction. She advocates for an all-hands-on-deck approach to support classroom educators in their effort to reverse this trend. She supports increased instructional time, interventionists, tutoring and after-school and summer programs to counter the attainment gaps in literacy and numeracy.

Turner supports both equity and excellence. She recognizes that we must address achievement gaps and ensure that Arlington maintains high standards. Every student should be given the opportunity, access and support to reach his or her highest potential with advanced/accelerated classes.

Turner is a longtime Arlington resident and ardent APS volunteer, serving in several roles. She has a personal stake in school-system performance with three children. She is a successful attorney and community advocate. We are lucky she enthusiastically wants to serve on the School Board to help our community.

If you are an Arlington Democrat, please join us in supporting Miranda in the upcoming caucus.

Sam and Debbie Kirzner, Arlington

I think he is APE so no surprise. Her APE supporters are her base. We already knew that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Saw this posted elsewhere: https://www.gazetteleader.com/arlington/opinion/letter-turner-is-optimal-choice-in-school-board-race-6909377

To the editor: We are writing to express our enthusiastic support for Miranda Turner to receive the Democratic endorsement for the Arlington School Board election.

We have been elementary-school tutors for disadvantaged Arlington and D.C. students. We have witnessed the severe extent that the last few years have significantly diminished literacy and widened equity gaps. Our current reality is that Arlington has kids in fourth and fifth grade who are functionally illiterate. Instead of reading to learn, they are still struggling with learning to read.

Turner’s No. 1 priority is rightly on instruction. She advocates for an all-hands-on-deck approach to support classroom educators in their effort to reverse this trend. She supports increased instructional time, interventionists, tutoring and after-school and summer programs to counter the attainment gaps in literacy and numeracy.

Turner supports both equity and excellence. She recognizes that we must address achievement gaps and ensure that Arlington maintains high standards. Every student should be given the opportunity, access and support to reach his or her highest potential with advanced/accelerated classes.

Turner is a longtime Arlington resident and ardent APS volunteer, serving in several roles. She has a personal stake in school-system performance with three children. She is a successful attorney and community advocate. We are lucky she enthusiastically wants to serve on the School Board to help our community.

If you are an Arlington Democrat, please join us in supporting Miranda in the upcoming caucus.

Sam and Debbie Kirzner, Arlington

I think he is APE so no surprise. Her APE supporters are her base. We already knew that.

He's a retired guy in ArlDems who volunteers in the community. Try again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As time goes on, the community wants to return to normal and focus on supporting our kids. That's why MT on the board will be a 4-year distraction, no matter what your opinion is about her past behavior. We will never be able to move on with her on the board. Sad.

Being constantly distracted by the mere presence of one person on a 5 member board sounds like a you problem, frankly.

Nope. I haven't filled 24 pages on this thread. This is our future.

At least 10 of those pages are the same person who keeps harping on how MT hasn’t properly atoned for other people’s actions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

At least 10 of those pages are the same person who keeps harping on how MT hasn’t properly atoned for other people’s actions.

. . . and therefore want to vote for a 23 year old with no education experience and no ties to the community.

Grievance politics at its best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Saw this posted elsewhere: https://www.gazetteleader.com/arlington/opinion/letter-turner-is-optimal-choice-in-school-board-race-6909377

To the editor: We are writing to express our enthusiastic support for Miranda Turner to receive the Democratic endorsement for the Arlington School Board election.

We have been elementary-school tutors for disadvantaged Arlington and D.C. students. We have witnessed the severe extent that the last few years have significantly diminished literacy and widened equity gaps. Our current reality is that Arlington has kids in fourth and fifth grade who are functionally illiterate. Instead of reading to learn, they are still struggling with learning to read.

Turner’s No. 1 priority is rightly on instruction. She advocates for an all-hands-on-deck approach to support classroom educators in their effort to reverse this trend. She supports increased instructional time, interventionists, tutoring and after-school and summer programs to counter the attainment gaps in literacy and numeracy.

Turner supports both equity and excellence. She recognizes that we must address achievement gaps and ensure that Arlington maintains high standards. Every student should be given the opportunity, access and support to reach his or her highest potential with advanced/accelerated classes.

Turner is a longtime Arlington resident and ardent APS volunteer, serving in several roles. She has a personal stake in school-system performance with three children. She is a successful attorney and community advocate. We are lucky she enthusiastically wants to serve on the School Board to help our community.

If you are an Arlington Democrat, please join us in supporting Miranda in the upcoming caucus.

Sam and Debbie Kirzner, Arlington

I think he is APE so no surprise. Her APE supporters are her base. We already knew that.

He's a retired guy in ArlDems who volunteers in the community. Try again.

Anti-APE folks just can't believe that a democrat was/is/could be a member of APE, can they?
I don't know if the people who signed the letter were/were not or are/are not part of APE. And I really don't care. But I"ll take their perspective as outlined in their letter more credibly than that of someone so anti-APE that they can't believe anyone but a MAGA republican could align with the group, and who can't move beyond it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

At least 10 of those pages are the same person who keeps harping on how MT hasn’t properly atoned for other people’s actions.

. . . and therefore want to vote for a 23 year old with no education experience and no ties to the community.

Grievance politics at its best.

I’ll take a fresh perspective over someone who has demonstrated poor judgment when it comes to the APS community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Saw this posted elsewhere: https://www.gazetteleader.com/arlington/opinion/letter-turner-is-optimal-choice-in-school-board-race-6909377

To the editor: We are writing to express our enthusiastic support for Miranda Turner to receive the Democratic endorsement for the Arlington School Board election.

We have been elementary-school tutors for disadvantaged Arlington and D.C. students. We have witnessed the severe extent that the last few years have significantly diminished literacy and widened equity gaps. Our current reality is that Arlington has kids in fourth and fifth grade who are functionally illiterate. Instead of reading to learn, they are still struggling with learning to read.

Turner’s No. 1 priority is rightly on instruction. She advocates for an all-hands-on-deck approach to support classroom educators in their effort to reverse this trend. She supports increased instructional time, interventionists, tutoring and after-school and summer programs to counter the attainment gaps in literacy and numeracy.

Turner supports both equity and excellence. She recognizes that we must address achievement gaps and ensure that Arlington maintains high standards. Every student should be given the opportunity, access and support to reach his or her highest potential with advanced/accelerated classes.

Turner is a longtime Arlington resident and ardent APS volunteer, serving in several roles. She has a personal stake in school-system performance with three children. She is a successful attorney and community advocate. We are lucky she enthusiastically wants to serve on the School Board to help our community.

If you are an Arlington Democrat, please join us in supporting Miranda in the upcoming caucus.

Sam and Debbie Kirzner, Arlington

I think he is APE so no surprise. Her APE supporters are her base. We already knew that.

He's a retired guy in ArlDems who volunteers in the community. Try again.

Anti-APE folks just can't believe that a democrat was/is/could be a member of APE, can they?
I don't know if the people who signed the letter were/were not or are/are not part of APE. And I really don't care. But I"ll take their perspective as outlined in their letter more credibly than that of someone so anti-APE that they can't believe anyone but a MAGA republican could align with the group, and who can't move beyond it.

There were some angry dad bros who were Democrats. Potentially Youngkin voters but Ds before that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

At least 10 of those pages are the same person who keeps harping on how MT hasn’t properly atoned for other people’s actions.

. . . and therefore want to vote for a 23 year old with no education experience and no ties to the community.

Grievance politics at its best.

I’ll take a fresh perspective over someone who has demonstrated poor judgment when it comes to the APS community.

Certainly fresh, yes. He has no perspective on APS though because he never shows up for anything. Ask him how many advisory committees meetings he’s attended since he joined. He’s a no show, flake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Saw this posted elsewhere: https://www.gazetteleader.com/arlington/opinion/letter-turner-is-optimal-choice-in-school-board-race-6909377

To the editor: We are writing to express our enthusiastic support for Miranda Turner to receive the Democratic endorsement for the Arlington School Board election.

We have been elementary-school tutors for disadvantaged Arlington and D.C. students. We have witnessed the severe extent that the last few years have significantly diminished literacy and widened equity gaps. Our current reality is that Arlington has kids in fourth and fifth grade who are functionally illiterate. Instead of reading to learn, they are still struggling with learning to read.

Turner’s No. 1 priority is rightly on instruction. She advocates for an all-hands-on-deck approach to support classroom educators in their effort to reverse this trend. She supports increased instructional time, interventionists, tutoring and after-school and summer programs to counter the attainment gaps in literacy and numeracy.

Turner supports both equity and excellence. She recognizes that we must address achievement gaps and ensure that Arlington maintains high standards. Every student should be given the opportunity, access and support to reach his or her highest potential with advanced/accelerated classes.

Turner is a longtime Arlington resident and ardent APS volunteer, serving in several roles. She has a personal stake in school-system performance with three children. She is a successful attorney and community advocate. We are lucky she enthusiastically wants to serve on the School Board to help our community.

If you are an Arlington Democrat, please join us in supporting Miranda in the upcoming caucus.

Sam and Debbie Kirzner, Arlington

I think he is APE so no surprise. Her APE supporters are her base. We already knew that.

He's a retired guy in ArlDems who volunteers in the community. Try again.

Anti-APE folks just can't believe that a democrat was/is/could be a member of APE, can they?
I don't know if the people who signed the letter were/were not or are/are not part of APE. And I really don't care. But I"ll take their perspective as outlined in their letter more credibly than that of someone so anti-APE that they can't believe anyone but a MAGA republican could align with the group, and who can't move beyond it.

There were some angry dad bros who were Democrats. Potentially Youngkin voters but Ds before that.

You are clearly an angry troll bro.