Arlington School Board Caucus

[Anonymous]

To vote in the caucus you have to sign a loyalty pledge to the Democratic party. That’s way too strange for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I watched part of the meeting. Some of the comments are really unbelievable. One guy said that if the ACDC doesn't tell people who to vote for, the people of Arlington "might accidentally elect a conservation school board member."

Another went on and on about how progressive Arlington is with mentions of school name changes, an equitable calendar, focus on SEL, and something about transgender students, while throwing in a token partial sentence about "rigorous academics," which many people would argue should be the primary focus on public school.

Basically, ACDC has no trust in anyone but themselves and the few people able to caucus to decide who "should" be elected to the schoolboard. It is all about power and control. These same folks complain about voter suppression in other contexts, but they are fine with their current system.

Oh, so we keep the exclusionary caucus in place because Arlington might “accidentally” elect a conservative candidate. I would laugh if it weren’t so terrifying at who is controlling our kids’ education and all the crazy things they think.

Btw- even if a conservative “accidentally” got elected, how could one person dramatically change the actions of the Board??? And that’s a pretty big “if”!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I watched part of the meeting. Some of the comments are really unbelievable. One guy said that if the ACDC doesn't tell people who to vote for, the people of Arlington "might accidentally elect a conservation school board member."

Another went on and on about how progressive Arlington is with mentions of school name changes, an equitable calendar, focus on SEL, and something about transgender students, while throwing in a token partial sentence about "rigorous academics," which many people would argue should be the primary focus on public school.

Basically, ACDC has no trust in anyone but themselves and the few people able to caucus to decide who "should" be elected to the schoolboard. It is all about power and control. These same folks complain about voter suppression in other contexts, but they are fine with their current system.

Oh, so we keep the exclusionary caucus in place because Arlington might “accidentally” elect a conservative candidate. I would laugh if it weren’t so terrifying at who is controlling our kids’ education and all the crazy things they think.

Btw- even if a conservative “accidentally” got elected, how could one person dramatically change the actions of the Board??? And that’s a pretty big “if”!!!!

ACDC uses the scare tactic of an "accidental conservative" as a strawman. They are more fearful of progressives on the left who will would hold the school board and county board accountable for all of the racial and economic segregation, and also focus on more ethical contracts for teachers, janitors, drivers, and crossing guard staff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
ACDC uses the scare tactic of an "accidental conservative" as a strawman. They are more fearful of progressives on the left who will would hold the school board and county board accountable for all of the racial and economic segregation, and also focus on more ethical contracts for teachers, janitors, drivers, and crossing guard staff.

We don't seem to be accidentally electing conservatives to the county board or any other state or national office, so this is just a garbage argument. This is about keeping the ACDC as a welcoming place for corporate Democrats who will create a record as preservers of the status quo, rendering them eligible for statewide office. No thanks.

[Anonymous]

Maybe this is just an academic debate this year. There can't be a caucus if no one runs in it and I don't think there are any candidates yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
ACDC uses the scare tactic of an "accidental conservative" as a strawman. They are more fearful of progressives on the left who will would hold the school board and county board accountable for all of the racial and economic segregation, and also focus on more ethical contracts for teachers, janitors, drivers, and crossing guard staff.

We don't seem to be accidentally electing conservatives to the county board or any other state or national office, so this is just a garbage argument. This is about keeping the ACDC as a welcoming place for corporate Democrats who will create a record as preservers of the status quo, rendering them eligible for statewide office. No thanks.

I think you’re right. I used to think they used these tactics to keep the Independents out (along with the tactic of saying all Independents are really Republicans). But now I agree that their real issue is with the more progressive wing of their own party.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I watched part of the meeting. Some of the comments are really unbelievable. One guy said that if the ACDC doesn't tell people who to vote for, the people of Arlington "might accidentally elect a conservation school board member."

Another went on and on about how progressive Arlington is with mentions of school name changes, an equitable calendar, focus on SEL, and something about transgender students, while throwing in a token partial sentence about "rigorous academics," which many people would argue should be the primary focus on public school.

Basically, ACDC has no trust in anyone but themselves and the few people able to caucus to decide who "should" be elected to the schoolboard. It is all about power and control. These same folks complain about voter suppression in other contexts, but they are fine with their current system.

Be that as it may, no one really cares and when the next election rolls around Arlington will just vote in whatever candidate the handful of people in the party want.

I think if this issue really mattered to people, they simply would not vote for whatever candidates that ACDC puts forward and would pick those who run independent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dem and I agree 100% with getting rid of the caucus. First off, last year was the first and only time I’ve ever been able to participate. It’s not a friendly process to working parents who presumably make up the bulk of people who have kids in schools. Second, our schools are not served well by filling the Board with party insiders looking to use the school board as a stepping stone in a bigger political career. Some of the more recent choices have been completely lackluster and wouldn’t have gone anywhere without being on the Dem sample ballot, which is saying something. Third, I support federal employees running, and I think they should have a fair shot. Under the current system they really have no chance at all.

The Dems can still “endorse” certain candidates and those candidates will probably still win, but at least it opens up the possibility for a fed or non-insider to get their voices out there in a serious way.

How is the Dems endorsing and putting that person on a sample ballot any different that what we have now? A Fed or "non-insider" candidate can NOW run in the general. If the Dems do away with the caucus, then the endorsement becomes a backroom deal by a few. Then everyone will have their hands all up in the air that it wasn't fair and the candidates are still lackluster.

The candidates can all actually run in the general, for starters.

True, but how does that help achieve greater minority engagement and improved school outcomes for minority students?

More candidates to support, more people out supporting them. If your candidate didn't win the caucus, you're less likely to vote in the general election. More people vote in the general election, so the caucus-losing candidates could find more support among the larger population but never get that chance because they aren't on the Nov ballot.

Also, just because a candidate won the caucus doesn't make them the best choice for minority students' interests and concerns. The winners are always ACDC members, active, and considered "good Democrats" by ACDC. There are many other "good Democrats" who aren't active in the party.... Qualification shouldn't be impacted by how active the candidate is in the local party. So eliminating the caucus would help other good democrat, but not hardcore political party activists, have a shot at serving on the school board.

Supposedly, ACDC just wants to make sure Democratic values are on the board, right? ONE time an independent made it onto the board. That outlier was no extremist and did not decimate APS schools. Arlington is VAST majority democrat and can figure out which candidate(s) most align with their democratic values AND which candidates' ideas they like better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Second, our schools are not served well by filling the Board with party insiders looking to use the school board as a stepping stone in a bigger political career. .

Well, this is laughable. Name one School Board member in the last two decades that has used it as a stepping stone to a bigger political career?

Libby Garvey—former school board member who oversaw the decline of APS and wasteful spending (eg HB building) while not building enough seats. County board member for years now who thinks we don’t need actually seats because everyone will learn virtually. James Lander is another school board member who tried to use it as a stepping stone to county board (his Kojo Nnamdi interview tanked him).

Barbara Kanninen also has had her sights higher than SB and has run for CB, probably looking to run for a State level seat when opportunity seems favorable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I watched part of the meeting. Some of the comments are really unbelievable. One guy said that if the ACDC doesn't tell people who to vote for, the people of Arlington "might accidentally elect a conservation school board member."

Another went on and on about how progressive Arlington is with mentions of school name changes, an equitable calendar, focus on SEL, and something about transgender students, while throwing in a token partial sentence about "rigorous academics," which many people would argue should be the primary focus on public school.

Basically, ACDC has no trust in anyone but themselves and the few people able to caucus to decide who "should" be elected to the schoolboard. It is all about power and control. These same folks complain about voter suppression in other contexts, but they are fine with their current system.

Be that as it may, no one really cares and when the next election rolls around Arlington will just vote in whatever candidate the handful of people in the party want.

I think if this issue really mattered to people, they simply would not vote for whatever candidates that ACDC puts forward and would pick those who run independent.

That's not feasible when the only challengers are lunatics like Audrey Clement and Mike Webb. The Republicans and Independents need to start putting up some real candidates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I watched part of the meeting. Some of the comments are really unbelievable. One guy said that if the ACDC doesn't tell people who to vote for, the people of Arlington "might accidentally elect a conservation school board member."

Another went on and on about how progressive Arlington is with mentions of school name changes, an equitable calendar, focus on SEL, and something about transgender students, while throwing in a token partial sentence about "rigorous academics," which many people would argue should be the primary focus on public school.

Basically, ACDC has no trust in anyone but themselves and the few people able to caucus to decide who "should" be elected to the schoolboard. It is all about power and control. These same folks complain about voter suppression in other contexts, but they are fine with their current system.

Be that as it may, no one really cares and when the next election rolls around Arlington will just vote in whatever candidate the handful of people in the party want.

I think if this issue really mattered to people, they simply would not vote for whatever candidates that ACDC puts forward and would pick those who run independent.

That's not feasible when the only challengers are lunatics like Audrey Clement and Mike Webb. The Republicans and Independents need to start putting up some real candidates.

Really? That’s your best excuse for continuing to support such a terrible process?
Does it even really matter if there is one or two lunatics on the Board? The board votes on nothing, they challenge nothing, they barely have any interest in education. A couple lunatics on the Board aren’t going to sway anything anywhere.

[Anonymous]

So now that the big vote has been announced and the caucus is still happening, who is running for SB?

The ACDC backroom insiders have got no one .

APE will put forth Miranda Turner.

Will NAACP/BPA have a candidate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Second, our schools are not served well by filling the Board with party insiders looking to use the school board as a stepping stone in a bigger political career. .

Well, this is laughable. Name one School Board member in the last two decades that has used it as a stepping stone to a bigger political career?

Libby Garvey—former school board member who oversaw the decline of APS and wasteful spending (eg HB building) while not building enough seats. County board member for years now who thinks we don’t need actually seats because everyone will learn virtually. James Lander is another school board member who tried to use it as a stepping stone to county board (his Kojo Nnamdi interview tanked him).

Barbara Kanninen also has had her sights higher than SB and has run for CB, probably looking to run for a State level seat when opportunity seems favorable.

I really don’t think the CD is “higher office”.

[Anonymous]

What if they just get rid of the loyalty pledge and let losing candidates from the caucus enter the general election if desired?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I watched part of the meeting. Some of the comments are really unbelievable. One guy said that if the ACDC doesn't tell people who to vote for, the people of Arlington "might accidentally elect a conservation school board member."

Another went on and on about how progressive Arlington is with mentions of school name changes, an equitable calendar, focus on SEL, and something about transgender students, while throwing in a token partial sentence about "rigorous academics," which many people would argue should be the primary focus on public school.

Basically, ACDC has no trust in anyone but themselves and the few people able to caucus to decide who "should" be elected to the schoolboard. It is all about power and control. These same folks complain about voter suppression in other contexts, but they are fine with their current system.

Be that as it may, no one really cares and when the next election rolls around Arlington will just vote in whatever candidate the handful of people in the party want.

I think if this issue really mattered to people, they simply would not vote for whatever candidates that ACDC puts forward and would pick those who run independent.

That's not feasible when the only challengers are lunatics like Audrey Clement and Mike Webb. The Republicans and Independents need to start putting up some real candidates.

Really? That’s your best excuse for continuing to support such a terrible process?
Does it even really matter if there is one or two lunatics on the Board? The board votes on nothing, they challenge nothing, they barely have any interest in education. A couple lunatics on the Board aren’t going to sway anything anywhere.

I didn't say I support the process. I don't. But the question was why not just vote for the non-ACDC candidate. That's why -- there haven't been any better candidates. I have, in fact, voted for Clement in SB and CB races knowing she wasn't going to win anyway. But no way in hell would I vote for a true whacko like Webb. He is legitimately mentally ill and needs professional treatment. Clement would at least ask some questions and spark some potential conversations and debates. Someone like Webb would merely waste everyone's time. Absolutely irrelevant to the ACDC caucus question.