Tell me more about the School Board election process

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing like telling a kid he is "disabled" in order to build his self-esteem!

If they are in fact disabled then yes it's something they should be aware of. I have conversations with my elementary-aged after every IEP meeting

Kids are required to attend their 504 meetings once in HS and this has been amazing for my oldest to learn how to advocate for herself. And yes, right there on the 504 form, it will say they are a student with a disability. That is the correct terminology and using other terms like "special needs" just stigmatizes them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whoever provides better services with details on how gets my vote.

That's what I'm trying to base my vote on. Unfortunately, very few of the candidates go into much substance about services for students with disabilities. Saundra Davis' website says " I will point out and help rectify when FCPS is failing to walk the walk when it comes to students with disabilities." But that is not substantial at all. Aucoin doesn't talk about it at all and only throws around that parents rights crap.

I tried to give Harry Jackson a chance. I really did. And I thought he put the laughing at the autistic performer behind him. But I watched him in a recent youtube video on a show talk about what he called "ADA accommodations." If you're running for school board you should know the difference between ADA, IDEA, and 504. I'll stick with Melanie who even though she has her problems she has always been insightful when I've talked with her about IEPs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whoever provides better services with details on how gets my vote.

That's what I'm trying to base my vote on. Unfortunately, very few of the candidates go into much substance about services for students with disabilities. Saundra Davis' website says " I will point out and help rectify when FCPS is failing to walk the walk when it comes to students with disabilities." But that is not substantial at all. Aucoin doesn't talk about it at all and only throws around that parents rights crap.

I tried to give Harry Jackson a chance. I really did. And I thought he put the laughing at the autistic performer behind him. But I watched him in a recent youtube video on a show talk about what he called "ADA accommodations." If you're running for school board you should know the difference between ADA, IDEA, and 504. I'll stick with Melanie who even though she has her problems she has always been insightful when I've talked with her about IEPs.

Stick with the person who denied children with special needs school for a year during the pandemic as the 'equity' candidate AND lost an OCR lawsuit for denying children those services. Makes sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

But disability shouldn't be a word that we're afraid to say.

So, why did they change it from "disability" to "special needs?"

Sorry, but "disabled" brings a very clear vision of someone who is not capable. I taught many kids with learning issues--but all of them were capable of learning.

A totally new term is needed. Disabled conjures up "handicapped."

There is a vast range of kids who have "special needs." Some need a little assistance and some need constant assistance. I don't have the answer, by the way--but I don't like "disabled."

It was never changed from "disability" to "special needs."

The term "special needs" just evolved as a less offensive version of the r-word to refer to intellectually disabled people. 50 years ago, using the term "special needs" was somewhat revolutionary. But words change meaning and I think given that the vast consensus among all the disability advocacy organizations is not to use the term, we just shouldn't.

I think it's offensive to the disability community if when you are saying how much you support them, you can't even refer to them with the correct terminology. If someone can't even listen and learn about something as simple as terminology, I don't have high hopes for them to actually listen to advocates for students with disabilities. I don't know if this candidate just doesn't know the harm that terminology causes, or whether she is in fact deliberately choosing to use outdated language, but either way, I expect a lot more of school board candidates. And I don't say that from a partisan lens at all, this issue isn't nearly as bad as when KKG used the r-word multiple times and gave a half-hearted apology.

Sorry but I am far less offended by someone referring to my kid receiving services as "special needs" than "disabled"

Disabled seems like a slur, or a conscious limitation of my kid and others like them.

Special needs describes their need for additional services to reach their full potential.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whoever provides better services with details on how gets my vote.

That's what I'm trying to base my vote on. Unfortunately, very few of the candidates go into much substance about services for students with disabilities. Saundra Davis' website says " I will point out and help rectify when FCPS is failing to walk the walk when it comes to students with disabilities." But that is not substantial at all. Aucoin doesn't talk about it at all and only throws around that parents rights crap.

I tried to give Harry Jackson a chance. I really did. And I thought he put the laughing at the autistic performer behind him. But I watched him in a recent youtube video on a show talk about what he called "ADA accommodations." If you're running for school board you should know the difference between ADA, IDEA, and 504. I'll stick with Melanie who even though she has her problems she has always been insightful when I've talked with her about IEPs.

If you watched the school board meetings, you would realize that Saundra's statement is both substantial and comprehensive.

Everyone should watch a few meetings before voting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nothing like telling a kid he is "disabled" in order to build his self-esteem!

If they are in fact disabled then yes it's something they should be aware of. I have conversations with my elementary-aged after every IEP meeting

Kids are required to attend their 504 meetings once in HS and this has been amazing for my oldest to learn how to advocate for herself. And yes, right there on the 504 form, it will say they are a student with a disability. That is the correct terminology and using other terms like "special needs" just stigmatizes them.

There have been posts on this forum about special needs for over 15 years. There has been a “special needs and disabilities” sub-forum.

Where is the website feedback telling Jeff he is an insensitive Neanderthal for titling that sub-forum as he did? Or for not changing the name once you decided it was no longer the right term?

This is only an issue here because you thought it was a convenient way to attack a School Board candidate who might challenge the complete stranglehold that the FCDC has on the School Board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whoever provides better services with details on how gets my vote.

That's what I'm trying to base my vote on. Unfortunately, very few of the candidates go into much substance about services for students with disabilities. Saundra Davis' website says " I will point out and help rectify when FCPS is failing to walk the walk when it comes to students with disabilities." But that is not substantial at all. Aucoin doesn't talk about it at all and only throws around that parents rights crap.

I tried to give Harry Jackson a chance. I really did. And I thought he put the laughing at the autistic performer behind him. But I watched him in a recent youtube video on a show talk about what he called "ADA accommodations." If you're running for school board you should know the difference between ADA, IDEA, and 504. I'll stick with Melanie who even though she has her problems she has always been insightful when I've talked with her about IEPs.

She is a bully, as shown with her neighbors and her assistant, and has no interest in having any standards of her own. She won't even allow comments on her Facebook page because she can't handle conflict of any kind. She isn't going to listen or fight for anything other than what she thinks is right because, according to her, her points are the only ones that matter. She regularly misses meetings or refrains from voting and all of her responses over the years have been negative and dismissive towards anyone who brings up a question that is not part of her agenda. Hunter Mill has horrible choices this year, but neither of these people care about children in a way that actually helps children and families and is inclusive. I think Hunter Mill is a wash between two not so great candidates and likely Meren will win simply because she's in a democratic district. I think Jackson already knows he doesn't have much of a chance.

So, the at large positions become that much more important to not vote democrat if people want to maintain a balance and provide some positive movement on the board to move FCPS in a better direction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax Democrats posted on their website re: the endorsement process: https://www.fairfaxdemocrats.org/2023endorsement/

Thanks for sharing this. I don't have much interest in political issues. I am just fed up with the nonsense the current school board have been doing. This is a convenient reference for people like me. I am going to vote against every democratic school board candidate.

[Anonymous]

Melanie has proven to be a poor representative on the School Board.

As for Jackson, accusations are not the same as convictions.

As for the "mocking" of the autistic student. I watched it after I first read about it. The song was played randomly at the end of the meeting. No introduction to explain and, frankly, it was a pretty awful rendition of the anthem--which I realize is frequently done poorly. And, honestly, it did not appear to be a student. It appeared to be a grown man. And, let's all face it, he would never have been up ther had his mom not been on the School Board.

[Anonymous]

I have no problem voting against McElveen and McDaniel. The other candidates are all easily better. If you have a Mc at the beginning of your last name, I hope the Fairfax County voters have enough sense to vote you out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nothing like telling a kid he is "disabled" in order to build his self-esteem!

If they are in fact disabled then yes it's something they should be aware of. I have conversations with my elementary-aged after every IEP meeting

Kids are required to attend their 504 meetings once in HS and this has been amazing for my oldest to learn how to advocate for herself. And yes, right there on the 504 form, it will say they are a student with a disability. That is the correct terminology and using other terms like "special needs" just stigmatizes them.

There have been posts on this forum about special needs for over 15 years. There has been a “special needs and disabilities” sub-forum.

Where is the website feedback telling Jeff he is an insensitive Neanderthal for titling that sub-forum as he did? Or for not changing the name once you decided it was no longer the right term?

This is only an issue here because you thought it was a convenient way to attack a School Board candidate who might challenge the complete stranglehold that the FCDC has on the School Board.

Well said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have no problem voting against McElveen and McDaniel. The other candidates are all easily better. If you have a Mc at the beginning of your last name, I hope the Fairfax County voters have enough sense to vote you out.

I know the Democrats will retain control of the School Board and that’s fine. What isn’t fine is the current echo chamber and lack of attention to academics, operations, and facilities.

Moon was a voice of reason and I’d welcome his return.

McElveen was silly when he was first elected, yet then acted bored out of his mind the last few years he was in the School Board. Like Frisch, he seems to be running again only because his other political aspirations were frustrated. No thanks.

McDaniel is a complete flake who is channeling every single interest group that he thinks might possibly get him elected. Big no.

If Davis and AuCoin will provide a bit of discipline and a counterpoint to the current board, I’m in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whoever provides better services with details on how gets my vote.

That's what I'm trying to base my vote on. Unfortunately, very few of the candidates go into much substance about services for students with disabilities. Saundra Davis' website says " I will point out and help rectify when FCPS is failing to walk the walk when it comes to students with disabilities." But that is not substantial at all. Aucoin doesn't talk about it at all and only throws around that parents rights crap.

I tried to give Harry Jackson a chance. I really did. And I thought he put the laughing at the autistic performer behind him. But I watched him in a recent youtube video on a show talk about what he called "ADA accommodations." If you're running for school board you should know the difference between ADA, IDEA, and 504. I'll stick with Melanie who even though she has her problems she has always been insightful when I've talked with her about IEPs.

Stick with the person who denied children with special needs school for a year during the pandemic as the 'equity' candidate AND lost an OCR lawsuit for denying children those services. Makes sense.

I have my problems with her (those aren't them), but at least she knows the difference between the laws protecting students with disabilities. It's a low bar, I know, but Harry Jackson doesn't meet that at all. I'm not happy about my vote for Melanie (and I voted for Paul Thomas in the endorsement btw), but I can't stand to vote for Jackson.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no problem voting against McElveen and McDaniel. The other candidates are all easily better. If you have a Mc at the beginning of your last name, I hope the Fairfax County voters have enough sense to vote you out.

I know the Democrats will retain control of the School Board and that’s fine. What isn’t fine is the current echo chamber and lack of attention to academics, operations, and facilities.

Moon was a voice of reason and I’d welcome his return.

McElveen was silly when he was first elected, yet then acted bored out of his mind the last few years he was in the School Board. Like Frisch, he seems to be running again only because his other political aspirations were frustrated. No thanks.

McDaniel is a complete flake who is channeling every single interest group that he thinks might possibly get him elected. Big no.

If Davis and AuCoin will provide a bit of discipline and a counterpoint to the current board, I’m in.

Moon won't win. Because he is not extremely left.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

But disability shouldn't be a word that we're afraid to say.

So, why did they change it from "disability" to "special needs?"

Sorry, but "disabled" brings a very clear vision of someone who is not capable. I taught many kids with learning issues--but all of them were capable of learning.

A totally new term is needed. Disabled conjures up "handicapped."

There is a vast range of kids who have "special needs." Some need a little assistance and some need constant assistance. I don't have the answer, by the way--but I don't like "disabled."

It was never changed from "disability" to "special needs."

The term "special needs" just evolved as a less offensive version of the r-word to refer to intellectually disabled people. 50 years ago, using the term "special needs" was somewhat revolutionary. But words change meaning and I think given that the vast consensus among all the disability advocacy organizations is not to use the term, we just shouldn't.

I think it's offensive to the disability community if when you are saying how much you support them, you can't even refer to them with the correct terminology. If someone can't even listen and learn about something as simple as terminology, I don't have high hopes for them to actually listen to advocates for students with disabilities. I don't know if this candidate just doesn't know the harm that terminology causes, or whether she is in fact deliberately choosing to use outdated language, but either way, I expect a lot more of school board candidates. And I don't say that from a partisan lens at all, this issue isn't nearly as bad as when KKG used the r-word multiple times and gave a half-hearted apology.

Sorry but I am far less offended by someone referring to my kid receiving services as "special needs" than "disabled"

Disabled seems like a slur, or a conscious limitation of my kid and others like them.

Special needs describes their need for additional services to reach their full potential.

That is the problem! We have stigmatized the word "disabled" so much by not saying it.