Alexandria School Board Candidates

[Anonymous]

I'm in district A. I don't like any of the candidates at all so I have no idea who to vote for. The incumbents voted against SROs. Ish is an anti-mask clown. The other two running don't seem any better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm in district A. I don't like any of the candidates at all so I have no idea who to vote for. The incumbents voted against SROs. Ish is an anti-mask clown. The other two running don't seem any better.

I like D Ohlandt in District A, and she has kids in ACPS, but I'm not sure her campaign is getting any traction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're voting for Pree Ann Johnson and Tammy Ignacio. I have had the honor of working with both as a parent. They are honest and up front. They don't cater to the popular vote and they will not be pressured to do something that is wrong. They both understand kids really well and both know how to get things done in ACPS.

I am not sure if we will cast a third ballot. The other candidates seem to have positions that don't coincide with ours. We want safety in schools, whether that safety be virus-related or physical, and the other candidates have a vested interest in keeping schools open no matter how unsafe it may become. We don't use ACPS for childcare and I don't trust people who do.

Although we don't have children in the high school, we also want people who will vote to return the SROs to the secondary schools. It is absolutely insane that there are no SROs at ACHS even though the principal has said he wants and needs that service for his school.

Johnson does not need to be pressured to do something wrong. Her MO is to do things wrong and she is unwilling to listen to contrary views about what the right thing is. I say this as a parent who had multiple disputes with her about her decisions that deprived my child of a FAPE.

You're the kind of parent I'm talking about. You sound like you're looking for special considerations and I applaud Pree Ann for standing up to you. Every time you post I think the same thing. Just because you want something doesn't mean you should get it.

What kind of parent is that? Someone who is unwilling to be an ACPS sycophant? Why is asking ACPS to comply with the law inappropriate? Why is pointing out that Johnson harmed my child inappropriate? How is asking for services and accommodations needed for my child to function in school inappropriate? Johnson, like Hutchings, is unresponsive to legitimate parent concerns.

I have never met her and was not at her school, so I have no comments on her. But I can only say from my own experience that people who have neurotypical children have a different experience at ACPS. There is no point arguing with them. The APs and the principal at my elem school were similarly unhelpful and their choices were in some instances harmful. That’s not everyone’s experience. Most of my friends have a different perspective, and I get that. But it’s hard to keep my mouth shut, admittedly, when they are so obviously tolerating things they wouldn’t be able to if they had a child who needed accommodations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm in district A. I don't like any of the candidates at all so I have no idea who to vote for. The incumbents voted against SROs. Ish is an anti-mask clown. The other two running don't seem any better.

I like D Ohlandt in District A, and she has kids in ACPS, but I'm not sure her campaign is getting any traction.

I’m not in district A, but really impressed with her and I hope she’s elected. Here’s a local story that ran with more info.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/patch.com/virginia/delray/amp/29938410/meet-the-candidate-deanna-ohlandt-for-alexandria-school-board

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're voting for Pree Ann Johnson and Tammy Ignacio. I have had the honor of working with both as a parent. They are honest and up front. They don't cater to the popular vote and they will not be pressured to do something that is wrong. They both understand kids really well and both know how to get things done in ACPS.

I am not sure if we will cast a third ballot. The other candidates seem to have positions that don't coincide with ours. We want safety in schools, whether that safety be virus-related or physical, and the other candidates have a vested interest in keeping schools open no matter how unsafe it may become. We don't use ACPS for childcare and I don't trust people who do.

Although we don't have children in the high school, we also want people who will vote to return the SROs to the secondary schools. It is absolutely insane that there are no SROs at ACHS even though the principal has said he wants and needs that service for his school.

Johnson does not need to be pressured to do something wrong. Her MO is to do things wrong and she is unwilling to listen to contrary views about what the right thing is. I say this as a parent who had multiple disputes with her about her decisions that deprived my child of a FAPE.

You're the kind of parent I'm talking about. You sound like you're looking for special considerations and I applaud Pree Ann for standing up to you. Every time you post I think the same thing. Just because you want something doesn't mean you should get it.

What kind of parent is that? Someone who is unwilling to be an ACPS sycophant? Why is asking ACPS to comply with the law inappropriate? Why is pointing out that Johnson harmed my child inappropriate? How is asking for services and accommodations needed for my child to function in school inappropriate? Johnson, like Hutchings, is unresponsive to legitimate parent concerns.

I have never met her and was not at her school, so I have no comments on her. But I can only say from my own experience that people who have neurotypical children have a different experience at ACPS. There is no point arguing with them. The APs and the principal at my elem school were similarly unhelpful and their choices were in some instances harmful. That’s not everyone’s experience. Most of my friends have a different perspective, and I get that. But it’s hard to keep my mouth shut, admittedly, when they are so obviously tolerating things they wouldn’t be able to if they had a child who needed accommodations.

Thank you for the comment. I think you are right about parents of neurotypical students often having a different experience with ACPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're voting for Pree Ann Johnson and Tammy Ignacio. I have had the honor of working with both as a parent. They are honest and up front. They don't cater to the popular vote and they will not be pressured to do something that is wrong. They both understand kids really well and both know how to get things done in ACPS.

I am not sure if we will cast a third ballot. The other candidates seem to have positions that don't coincide with ours. We want safety in schools, whether that safety be virus-related or physical, and the other candidates have a vested interest in keeping schools open no matter how unsafe it may become. We don't use ACPS for childcare and I don't trust people who do.

Although we don't have children in the high school, we also want people who will vote to return the SROs to the secondary schools. It is absolutely insane that there are no SROs at ACHS even though the principal has said he wants and needs that service for his school.

Johnson does not need to be pressured to do something wrong. Her MO is to do things wrong and she is unwilling to listen to contrary views about what the right thing is. I say this as a parent who had multiple disputes with her about her decisions that deprived my child of a FAPE.

You're the kind of parent I'm talking about. You sound like you're looking for special considerations and I applaud Pree Ann for standing up to you. Every time you post I think the same thing. Just because you want something doesn't mean you should get it.

What kind of parent is that? Someone who is unwilling to be an ACPS sycophant? Why is asking ACPS to comply with the law inappropriate? Why is pointing out that Johnson harmed my child inappropriate? How is asking for services and accommodations needed for my child to function in school inappropriate? Johnson, like Hutchings, is unresponsive to legitimate parent concerns.

I have never met her and was not at her school, so I have no comments on her. But I can only say from my own experience that people who have neurotypical children have a different experience at ACPS. There is no point arguing with them. The APs and the principal at my elem school were similarly unhelpful and their choices were in some instances harmful. That’s not everyone’s experience. Most of my friends have a different perspective, and I get that. But it’s hard to keep my mouth shut, admittedly, when they are so obviously tolerating things they wouldn’t be able to if they had a child who needed accommodations.

Thank you for the comment. I think you are right about parents of neurotypical students often having a different experience with ACPS.

Here is another perspective from a bystander on this forum.

You post about your experience on practically every thread about ACPS. If your child was really deserving of whatever accommodation you're going after then I think it would have been determined for your child just to shut you down. The fact that it hasn't been affirms the original decision imo.

DP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're voting for Pree Ann Johnson and Tammy Ignacio. I have had the honor of working with both as a parent. They are honest and up front. They don't cater to the popular vote and they will not be pressured to do something that is wrong. They both understand kids really well and both know how to get things done in ACPS.

I am not sure if we will cast a third ballot. The other candidates seem to have positions that don't coincide with ours. We want safety in schools, whether that safety be virus-related or physical, and the other candidates have a vested interest in keeping schools open no matter how unsafe it may become. We don't use ACPS for childcare and I don't trust people who do.

Although we don't have children in the high school, we also want people who will vote to return the SROs to the secondary schools. It is absolutely insane that there are no SROs at ACHS even though the principal has said he wants and needs that service for his school.

Johnson does not need to be pressured to do something wrong. Her MO is to do things wrong and she is unwilling to listen to contrary views about what the right thing is. I say this as a parent who had multiple disputes with her about her decisions that deprived my child of a FAPE.

You're the kind of parent I'm talking about. You sound like you're looking for special considerations and I applaud Pree Ann for standing up to you. Every time you post I think the same thing. Just because you want something doesn't mean you should get it.

What kind of parent is that? Someone who is unwilling to be an ACPS sycophant? Why is asking ACPS to comply with the law inappropriate? Why is pointing out that Johnson harmed my child inappropriate? How is asking for services and accommodations needed for my child to function in school inappropriate? Johnson, like Hutchings, is unresponsive to legitimate parent concerns.

I have never met her and was not at her school, so I have no comments on her. But I can only say from my own experience that people who have neurotypical children have a different experience at ACPS. There is no point arguing with them. The APs and the principal at my elem school were similarly unhelpful and their choices were in some instances harmful. That’s not everyone’s experience. Most of my friends have a different perspective, and I get that. But it’s hard to keep my mouth shut, admittedly, when they are so obviously tolerating things they wouldn’t be able to if they had a child who needed accommodations.

Thank you for the comment. I think you are right about parents of neurotypical students often having a different experience with ACPS.

Here is another perspective from a bystander on this forum.

You post about your experience on practically every thread about ACPS. If your child was really deserving of whatever accommodation you're going after then I think it would have been determined for your child just to shut you down. The fact that it hasn't been affirms the original decision imo.

DP.

I never said there only a single dispute with Johnson (it was multiple - but I acknowledge one dispute was relating to IEP issues).

I also never commented on whether ultimately there was an adequate resolution or not (the answer differs depending on the issue in part because we did not choose to try to go beyond Johnson on some issues).

I just think people should be informed about Johnson’s unfitness to serve on the school board based on my / my child’s experience with her. Others are free to post their alternative views which they have done repeatedly here.

[Anonymous]

Hi, NP childless Alexandria resident.

I know who I'm voting for, for governor, mayor, and city council. But can anyone give me a brief run down on who to vote for to benefit the city's kids, and city's future overall as a property owner?

While I don't have a direct stake in it as a non-parent, I don't want to just check a few random boxes, and would appreciate a few quick suggestions -- or major red flags to avoid.

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi, NP childless Alexandria resident.

I know who I'm voting for, for governor, mayor, and city council. But can anyone give me a brief run down on who to vote for to benefit the city's kids, and city's future overall as a property owner?

While I don't have a direct stake in it as a non-parent, I don't want to just check a few random boxes, and would appreciate a few quick suggestions -- or major red flags to avoid.

Thank you.

Do you know what district you are in for school board purposes - https://www.alexandriava.gov/uploadedFiles/gis/info/VotingDistricts2015.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're voting for Pree Ann Johnson and Tammy Ignacio. I have had the honor of working with both as a parent. They are honest and up front. They don't cater to the popular vote and they will not be pressured to do something that is wrong. They both understand kids really well and both know how to get things done in ACPS.

I am not sure if we will cast a third ballot. The other candidates seem to have positions that don't coincide with ours. We want safety in schools, whether that safety be virus-related or physical, and the other candidates have a vested interest in keeping schools open no matter how unsafe it may become. We don't use ACPS for childcare and I don't trust people who do.

Although we don't have children in the high school, we also want people who will vote to return the SROs to the secondary schools. It is absolutely insane that there are no SROs at ACHS even though the principal has said he wants and needs that service for his school.

Out of Kelly Booz, Ashley Simpson Baird, and Bridget Shea Westfall you think their positions don't coincide with yours? What exactly are you aginst? Restoring community trust in ACPS, having clear communication, addressing facilities issues, restoring accountability?

What exactly about Dr. Simpson Baird, Ms. Booz, and Ms. Westfall do you think is unsafe? All of them are for public health and science. Honestly, I don't get it. Where have any of them ever advocated for keeping schools open no matter what? Kelly Booz works for the teachers union! Bridget Westfall works for HHS. Dr. Simpson Baird has an incredibly well thought out website with her positions on every issue. What exactly are any of these candidates advocating for that is unsafe? The Biden-Harris administration also wants to keep schools safe and open. It's also a VA law.

Honestly, I am confused. So you are saying you aren't voting for these very well qualified women, not even one, because they have school aged kids and are working moms? How do you know Simpson Baird, Booz, and Westfall's child care situations? Honestly, women who don't support women are the worst.

[Anonymous]

My wife and I are voting for Booz, Simpson Baird, and Westfall in District B. They are well-qualified, have very clear, easy-to-read websites with their platform. They are current ACPS parents.

I'm not voting for anyone affiliated with ACPS the last 18 months. So no to Ignacio and no to Johnson. They are well qualified women with very impressive resumes. But their websites have very little to no information except their background.

Don't you think it seems to be in conflict if they have a financial interest in ACPS as past employees and leadership? They have an ACPS pension. They don't know the issues parents with kids currently in the system are facing. They don't know what it's like to have kids who are too young to be vaccinated or too long to do virtual learning.

And to the parent who said they have a problem with candidates who "use ACPS for childcare". What exactly you mean? Parents who send their kids to after care? Or are you saying these parents use ACPS for childcare? Last time I checked, it's the law to have school aged children in schools. Wow! I don't even know what to think about your statement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m voting for Ashley Simpson Baird, Bridget Shea Westfall and Kelly Carmichael Booz in District B. They seem like the best of the bunch who may be most likely to hold AVPS and Hutchings accountable. I don’t trust former ACPS insiders like Ignacio and Johnson. And Debbie Ash and Ish Boyle anti-mask pro-MAGA types are out of the question.

Same here. If former ACPS staff couldn't make an impact in far more impactful positions, I have no idea why they would even consider the school board. Meh.

Another vote for Ashley Simpson Baird, Bridget Westfall and Kelly Booz. I don't trust why someone would retire from ACPS and run for school board. To me, they didn't do much last year to advocate for students who should have had an in person learning option. I don't think they will stand up or manage the superintendent. Both Ignacio and Johnson seem like nice women who are accomplished as educators. But we need leaders in the pandemic. I honestly question Ignacio and Johnson's motivations. It seems suspect to me and I don't like the optics of someone getting an ACPS pension and $15K for school board. Do they need the money?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi, NP childless Alexandria resident.

I know who I'm voting for, for governor, mayor, and city council. But can anyone give me a brief run down on who to vote for to benefit the city's kids, and city's future overall as a property owner?

While I don't have a direct stake in it as a non-parent, I don't want to just check a few random boxes, and would appreciate a few quick suggestions -- or major red flags to avoid.

Thank you.

Do you know what district you are in for school board purposes - https://www.alexandriava.gov/uploadedFiles/gis/info/VotingDistricts2015.pdf

Doh! In A, thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi, NP childless Alexandria resident.

I know who I'm voting for, for governor, mayor, and city council. But can anyone give me a brief run down on who to vote for to benefit the city's kids, and city's future overall as a property owner?

While I don't have a direct stake in it as a non-parent, I don't want to just check a few random boxes, and would appreciate a few quick suggestions -- or major red flags to avoid.

Thank you.

Do you know what district you are in for school board purposes - https://www.alexandriava.gov/uploadedFiles/gis/info/VotingDistricts2015.pdf

Doh! In A, thanks.

Ish Boyle is an anti-masker. Everyone else seems very progressive if that's your thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who are you voting for school board and why? I'd love to hear everyone's opinions. For me, I think everyone with the exception of a few fringe candidates seem like well intentioned people who care a lot about our community. But I want leaders who will manage for results. I am really frustrated with what I see as a waste of pandemic recovery funds and other resources, lack of creative problem solving, and teachers and staff being blamed. Central office is too top heavy and the superintendent needs to be managed. I didn't see or hear anyone pushing back until it was extreme (Gentry, Suarez). I think Rief and Greene are the most responsive, but they need to speak up. I want leaders who are going to speak up. Who do you think that is? Each District.

Jacinta Greene (incubment): no kids/no kids in ACPS
Michelle Rief (incumbent): kids in ACPS
Willie Bailey: no kids currently in ACPS/graduate of ACPS/kids graduated from ACPS
Deanna "D" Ohlandt: kids in ACPS
Ish Boyle: kids in ACPS

I'm in District A and I'm planning to vote Rief, Bailey, Ohlandt.
Rief: While I am generally in support of getting rid of most incumbents, I think a little bit of continuity is helpful and I think Rief was better than Greene and she actually has kids in ACPS so she's getting my keep one incumbent vote.
Ohlandt: She has kids in ACPS and I generally liked her positions.
Bailey: He's clearly invested in Alexandria even if his kids are no longer in school here and he's not Ish Boyle.