Alexandria School Board Candidates

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Boyle says he is for “reform” but he has been cagey about his true positions (and where his yard signs are posted around town say something).

Reif is a smart and an engaged Board member. Unfortunately, she has been supportive of Superintendent Hutchings.

Greene, to me, seems like a nonentity on the Board. There have been posts here that she is responsive to the community but she does not appear to dig into issues on the Board. Again pro-Hutchings.

Bailey is a former city Council person that lost in the 2018 primary after supporting a restaurant tax increase to fund affordable housing. I think he is a good person but I don’t think he appreciates that ACPS is not well run and needs change (and thus I cannot see him providing needed oversight of Hutchings).

I am see trying to get a better sense for Ohlandt. She has three children in ACPS and seems to have a good sense of the problems that need addressing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Boyle says he is for “reform” but he has been cagey about his true positions (and where his yard signs are posted around town say something).

Reif is a smart and an engaged Board member. Unfortunately, she has been supportive of Superintendent Hutchings.

Greene, to me, seems like a nonentity on the Board. There have been posts here that she is responsive to the community but she does not appear to dig into issues on the Board. Again pro-Hutchings.

Bailey is a former city Council person that lost in the 2018 primary after supporting a restaurant tax increase to fund affordable housing. I think he is a good person but I don’t think he appreciates that ACPS is not well run and needs change (and thus I cannot see him providing needed oversight of Hutchings).

I am see trying to get a better sense for Ohlandt. She has three children in ACPS and seems to have a good sense of the problems that need addressing.

Wow, PP, you summed up exactly how I perceive the candidates as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Boyle says he is for “reform” but he has been cagey about his true positions (and where his yard signs are posted around town say something).

Reif is a smart and an engaged Board member. Unfortunately, she has been supportive of Superintendent Hutchings.

Greene, to me, seems like a nonentity on the Board. There have been posts here that she is responsive to the community but she does not appear to dig into issues on the Board. Again pro-Hutchings.

Bailey is a former city Council person that lost in the 2018 primary after supporting a restaurant tax increase to fund affordable housing. I think he is a good person but I don’t think he appreciates that ACPS is not well run and needs change (and thus I cannot see him providing needed oversight of Hutchings).

I am see trying to get a better sense for Ohlandt. She has three children in ACPS and seems to have a good sense of the problems that need addressing.

Excellent summary. I think I will be voting for Ohlandt and Boyle. We don't need people who can't and won't manage the superintendent. If Boyle's views are as extreme as his opponents say, then that will come out (and he'd be a minority voice in Alexandria).

Wow, PP, you summed up exactly how I perceive the candidates as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

This is exactly how I planned on voting, and then I heard that Ashley Simpson Baird is a huge proponent of balanced literacy - ie the Lucy Calkins nonsense that ACPS has been using to "teach" our kids to read, and has failed them miserably. Sounds like we are actually about to get some structured and explicit reading instruction into K-2 - and I would hate to support a candidate that's going to derail that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

This is exactly how I planned on voting, and then I heard that Ashley Simpson Baird is a huge proponent of balanced literacy - ie the Lucy Calkins nonsense that ACPS has been using to "teach" our kids to read, and has failed them miserably. Sounds like we are actually about to get some structured and explicit reading instruction into K-2 - and I would hate to support a candidate that's going to derail that.

To add - this obviously disqualifies Johnson and Ignacio as well, since they are so firmly part of ACPSs establishment. Just bummed there isn't a qualified 3rd candidate in B.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

This is exactly how I planned on voting, and then I heard that Ashley Simpson Baird is a huge proponent of balanced literacy - ie the Lucy Calkins nonsense that ACPS has been using to "teach" our kids to read, and has failed them miserably. Sounds like we are actually about to get some structured and explicit reading instruction into K-2 - and I would hate to support a candidate that's going to derail that.

Where did you hear that Ashley Simpson Baird is a huge proponent of balanced literacy? Our child has struggled with the reading approach that ACPS used and we had to get her a private tutor. I was really excited about explicit and structured reading instruction in K-2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

This is exactly how I planned on voting, and then I heard that Ashley Simpson Baird is a huge proponent of balanced literacy - ie the Lucy Calkins nonsense that ACPS has been using to "teach" our kids to read, and has failed them miserably. Sounds like we are actually about to get some structured and explicit reading instruction into K-2 - and I would hate to support a candidate that's going to derail that.

So who are you voting for, Booz and Westfall?

To add - this obviously disqualifies Johnson and Ignacio as well, since they are so firmly part of ACPSs establishment. Just bummed there isn't a qualified 3rd candidate in B.

[Anonymous]

I think any of the candidates is qualified: Simpson Baird, Booz, Igancio, Johnson, or Westfall. Who do you think will manage Hutchings out of this pool? I cannot vote for Ash or Roberts based on their problematic views.

[Anonymous]

Who are your predictions to win in A and B since C is a given? Will Megan Alderton still be the chair with the newly elected board? Didn't Michelle Rief abstain from voting for Alderton last time?

[Anonymous]

Results from last night have confirmed what I have suspected... when it comes to ACPS, DCUM is an echo chamber of a small minority of really loud complainers that doesn't reflect what overall attitude/ perception is of the schools, school leadership.
All incumbents got back in. The newcomers that got in include former staff, former school board, former city council. Even Baird--who has made some critical comments--acknowledged the value of continuity in keeping the Superintendent.
Meanwhile, all of the folks who ran on outrage lost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Results from last night have confirmed what I have suspected... when it comes to ACPS, DCUM is an echo chamber of a small minority of really loud complainers that doesn't reflect what overall attitude/ perception is of the schools, school leadership.
All incumbents got back in. The newcomers that got in include former staff, former school board, former city council. Even Baird--who has made some critical comments--acknowledged the value of continuity in keeping the Superintendent.
Meanwhile, all of the folks who ran on outrage lost.

I have two responses to this:

(1) As a general matter, Alexandria voters get the school system they vote for. ACPS has had problems for years but the voters either don’t know about the failed leadership or do not care and return the same type of leaders.

(2) To me, there were no real surprises except that Shea Westfall did not do better. I think it was clear Boyle, Ash, and Roberts were fringe candidates and that their opposition to ACPS leadership really did not go to the real issues with the system. District A’s results were exactly as one would respect (I have no idea why people vote for Greene but it was clear she had a ton of support). District B was where there were real questions. I am surprised that it looks like Shea Westfall was treated by voters as an outrage candidate. While she was a leader of Open ACPS, I thought her message going forward was similar to Baird for example. In the end on B, only one of the true ACPS insiders won which I think is a positive.

[Anonymous]

I too was surprised by District B results. Shea Westfall seemed to have a lot of support and her signs were everywhere! I’m not thrilled with Ignacio. I thought her interview on the Liberally Social podcast was awful (she didn’t seem to be taking the campaign seriously and suggested her married name would help her score votes with Latinos).

[Anonymous]

I am very happy Ignacio made it. I was surprised that Pree Ann Johnson didn't. I think it hurt her that she didn't have as wide of a campaign as I would have liked to see.

I was not at all surprised by Westfall's poor results. All of her public postings and even speaking engagements were typical government double-talk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Results from last night have confirmed what I have suspected... when it comes to ACPS, DCUM is an echo chamber of a small minority of really loud complainers that doesn't reflect what overall attitude/ perception is of the schools, school leadership.
All incumbents got back in. The newcomers that got in include former staff, former school board, former city council. Even Baird--who has made some critical comments--acknowledged the value of continuity in keeping the Superintendent.
Meanwhile, all of the folks who ran on outrage lost.

I have two responses to this:

(1) As a general matter, Alexandria voters get the school system they vote for. ACPS has had problems for years but the voters either don’t know about the failed leadership or do not care and return the same type of leaders.

(2) To me, there were no real surprises except that Shea Westfall did not do better. I think it was clear Boyle, Ash, and Roberts were fringe candidates and that their opposition to ACPS leadership really did not go to the real issues with the system. District A’s results were exactly as one would respect (I have no idea why people vote for Greene but it was clear she had a ton of support). District B was where there were real questions. I am surprised that it looks like Shea Westfall was treated by voters as an outrage candidate. While she was a leader of Open ACPS, I thought her message going forward was similar to Baird for example. In the end on B, only one of the true ACPS insiders won which I think is a positive.

(1) This. I wonder if those who vote in the terrible candidates don't actually have some sort of stake in the race?
(2) I don't know anyone who supported Greene, and I'm a parent in District A. Driving around, I saw her signs with the "educator/teacher endorsed" stickers. Who the heck endorsed her?