APS School Board race

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I think it would be shameful for the Arlington democrats to endorse a candidate who is unwilling to state, in definitive terms, that she will support trans rights in general, and specifically will protect their rights when it comes to issues of bathrooms and sports. No vague or wishy-washy half commitments that fail to nail down a definitive position with respect to very specific issues. This isn’t a big ask if she’s actually a democrat running for school board.

That is more than fair. She should have to state her position, and they should align with the Democratic party if she wants its endorsement.

I am thinking back to really weaselly answer she gave on AEM, I think it was about APE's refusal to take an issue on masks back during the winter surge. But now she's not representing APE, she's representing herself and potentially the Dem party, so let's MAKE her state a position.

Tellingly, I see NO support for trans kids rights on her website. That is a big red flag for me.

I’m going to flat out ask her next time I see her. I have a non binary child and this matters to me.

She tweeted in support of the trans student who spoke at the cnn town hall with youngkin. Sounds like she supports the rights of non-binary kids.

what did she say exactly?

I’m so proud of this incredibly brave APS student. APS students deserve to use the bathroom with dignity

Her website also talks about supporting all students and calls out both orientation and identification.

I’m just waiting for some of the crazies to come out and say that their daughters aren’t able to “use the bathroom with dignity” if trans students’ rights are upheld. Whose “dignity” does Miranda support in that scenario? I don’t know anything about her politics, but nailing down the very specific position matters. Words that can be turned around and used to defend opposing views aren’t helpful.

yeah supporting all students actually sounds like Youngkin's position.

Kind of like saying All lives matter

All students meaning EVERY student. so every students dignity = trans, non-binary, gay, cis etc. I am confused how people are making this bad? Seems like a stretch to me to try to imply this is some all lives matter bs.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:That is not correct. APS did not open till mandated to by the Governor. https://www.insidenova.com/headlines/northam-orders-all-virginia-schools-to-plan-for-in-person-learning-by-march-15/article_3110e7a4-67ce-11eb-9c20-a7413b721660.html

We were already planning to reopen. Duran announced that before the mandate.

No Northam updated guidance in January, that thread started early November. They then didn’t open till mid March. What took so long?!

Sorry February!

AFTER Duran already said they were working on reopening plan that they would announce in two weeks.

Lol. He said that like 5 times and never followed thru….until after governor’s order

I was helping a school at the time and they were preparing to bring back kids imminently. Coming up with specific lunch plans, etc. The wheels were already rolling before the mandate.

I was told in the fall that Duran was preparing for a return several times. Was that not actually happening until spring of 2021? They didn’t talk about lunch plans till then?? In OCTOBER he said they were prepping? Did that not actually happen? https://www.arlnow.com/2020/10/19/aps-presents-return-to-school-plan-based-on-student-need/

YOU were told? Who told YOU that? Who are YOU? Are you some sort of super important person who had special inside information?

It sounds like you are one of the members of APE who was constantly harassing APS to open up 5 days a week pre vaccination without any covid precautions because follow the science!

Lol no I’m an aps parent who can read ArlNow and emails from Durán.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it would be shameful for the Arlington democrats to endorse a candidate who is unwilling to state, in definitive terms, that she will support trans rights in general, and specifically will protect their rights when it comes to issues of bathrooms and sports. No vague or wishy-washy half commitments that fail to nail down a definitive position with respect to very specific issues. This isn’t a big ask if she’s actually a democrat running for school board.

That is more than fair. She should have to state her position, and they should align with the Democratic party if she wants its endorsement.

I am thinking back to really weaselly answer she gave on AEM, I think it was about APE's refusal to take an issue on masks back during the winter surge. But now she's not representing APE, she's representing herself and potentially the Dem party, so let's MAKE her state a position.

Tellingly, I see NO support for trans kids rights on her website. That is a big red flag for me.

I’m going to flat out ask her next time I see her. I have a non binary child and this matters to me.

She tweeted in support of the trans student who spoke at the cnn town hall with youngkin. Sounds like she supports the rights of non-binary kids.

what did she say exactly?

I’m so proud of this incredibly brave APS student. APS students deserve to use the bathroom with dignity

Her website also talks about supporting all students and calls out both orientation and identification.

I’m just waiting for some of the crazies to come out and say that their daughters aren’t able to “use the bathroom with dignity” if trans students’ rights are upheld. Whose “dignity” does Miranda support in that scenario? I don’t know anything about her politics, but nailing down the very specific position matters. Words that can be turned around and used to defend opposing views aren’t helpful.

yeah supporting all students actually sounds like Youngkin's position.

Kind of like saying All lives matter

All students meaning EVERY student. so every students dignity = trans, non-binary, gay, cis etc. I am confused how people are making this bad? Seems like a stretch to me to try to imply this is some all lives matter bs.

I don't read it that way at all. The dignity comment could mean protecting girls from having biological boys in their bathrooms. or she could want trans kids to have to use a separate bathroom like Gov Youngkin wants. Gov Y probably would say his plan is treating all students with dignity.

Look, if Miranda wants to fully support trans kids by affirming their right to use the bathroom, locker room and sports teams of their affirmed gender, why doesn't she just say so?

It seems to me she does not want to be clear on this.

it could also mean that she wants trans

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Yeah, there’s nothing hard about articulating a clear stance on this issue. If she’s been unintentionally vague and our concerns are misplaced, I assume her campaign checks in on threads like this and will promptly update her campaign website to express her views with more specificity. She’s a lawyer. I suspect she already chose her words carefully.

+1

Why so vague?

I think we have our answer. She did not want to come out in full support of trans kids rights. If she wanted to, she could.

This is a big issue for me. I will vote for a 22 year old interloper if he fully supports the Democratic agenda on trans kids rights, anti-censoring etc vs. a DINO who puts parents rights over the rights of trans kids and who is in favor of book bans.

I hope both candidates will clearly state their views on all of this so voters can decide.

What school pyramid is your child in, if you don’t mind me asking?

DP. Why TF would that matter?

.

Bc I think the pyramids are v different demographic wise and people don’t always know what families and students in other pyramids are facing. I see the above issues as important but not the number one challenges APS is facing.

Nice language, btw.

PP here, that may be true but I'm not going to tell you where my child goes to school.

Def understand! I asked about the pyramid btw, not the specific school. I just find it interesting that some people would have such broad concerns based on things that haven’t happened when there are a lot of real issues to solve. Like things that are happening right now.

I would guess you’re not in one of the high-poverty schools.

[Anonymous]

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Hi all - APE Board Member here - our group rules are posted on our Facebook forum if anyone would like to take a look. Bullying comments are not allowed and are deleted or requested to be edited at our request. We strongly encourage respectful debate and disagreement. Our forum has over a thousand parents and teachers who may have different POVs on a wide range of issues (something I think is unique in todays world) but ad hominem attacks are not allowed and respect is required. Also, as we mention in our rules, the forum (aka fb group) is NOT Arlington Parent’s official platform, you can find that on our Facebook page and website at Arlingtonparents.org. We want the forum to be an asset for all arlingtonians as a place to learn from each other, ask for information, etc. Our moderators try very hard to facilitate conversation and dialogue while respecting differences of opinion. Thanks!

That doesn’t change the fact that many of your members were openly bullying teachers, parents, and administrators during the pandemic.

We all saw it so it’s pointless to pretend like it didn’t happen.

Hi Mr. APE Board Member, it's so nice that you don't bully each other in your little group. That's not what people are talking about, and you know it. It's APE members bullying everyone else in Arlington that people don't tend to like.

Hi there, I am actually Mrs. APE Board Member (3/4 of us are moms actually) I fully understand that we were on opposite sides on the open schools issue and we fundamentally disagree on both the timing and need of in-person school and that disagreement was a pretty emotional one for all sides, but I hope that we can look to the future as fellow neighbors and community members now. So, I can only hope that we can come together and work together for students going forward even though we did not advocate for the same things back in 2020. Our group is grassroots and organic with hundreds of parents and teachers from all over Arlington, but I want to also highlight and say not everyone who wanted schools open was in our Facebook group. The small volunteer leadership of APE is unable able to control the actions of every member so I am sorry if you had a negative interaction with someone in the Facebook group. Also, we did realize some folks were being branded as APE even while not in our group so our speakers now say “on behalf of APE” before every speaker to make it more clear. You can see all those remarks here: https://www.arlingtonparentsforeducation.org/advocacy-in-action (you will see remarks and letters on the budget, class sizes, mental health counselors, etc.)

We do not condone bullying and have removed members of the Facebook group based on that. What we did try to do and continue to try to do is moderate our Facebook group to have it be a respectful place. Please feel free to join our Facebook group if you want to be a part of the debate and conversation there as I don’t check this site (I was alerted to this thread and follow up post so I came back to respond). Open/remote school was an extremely emotional issue as it affected deeply our children, so I am certain there were tense moments and raised voices and unfortunately likely some hurt feelings, and I’m sorry for any negative interaction you had with someone in our Facebook group. I hope we can acknowledge our differences but see where we agree and focus on those issues going forward for our students and teachers. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, there’s nothing hard about articulating a clear stance on this issue. If she’s been unintentionally vague and our concerns are misplaced, I assume her campaign checks in on threads like this and will promptly update her campaign website to express her views with more specificity. She’s a lawyer. I suspect she already chose her words carefully.

+1

Why so vague?

I think we have our answer. She did not want to come out in full support of trans kids rights. If she wanted to, she could.

This is a big issue for me. I will vote for a 22 year old interloper if he fully supports the Democratic agenda on trans kids rights, anti-censoring etc vs. a DINO who puts parents rights over the rights of trans kids and who is in favor of book bans.

I hope both candidates will clearly state their views on all of this so voters can decide.

What school pyramid is your child in, if you don’t mind me asking?

DP. Why TF would that matter?

.

Bc I think the pyramids are v different demographic wise and people don’t always know what families and students in other pyramids are facing. I see the above issues as important but not the number one challenges APS is facing.

Nice language, btw.

PP here, that may be true but I'm not going to tell you where my child goes to school.

Def understand! I asked about the pyramid btw, not the specific school. I just find it interesting that some people would have such broad concerns based on things that haven’t happened when there are a lot of real issues to solve. Like things that are happening right now.

I would guess you’re not in one of the high-poverty schools.

If you don't think the rights of trans kids is a real issue, then I guess this doesn't affect you personaly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does school board get to set trans policy re bathrooms and sports? I thought this was decided by Richmond? I get this is a hot button issue but it doesn’t really matter what the school board thinks, right?

Yes. It is a PIP that was approved in 2019 or 2020, I think.

Many VA school divisions ignored Northam’s Transgender policy directive to be more inclusive. NOVA schools have already stated they do not intend to change their PIPs if Youngkin’s transgender model policies are codified.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, there’s nothing hard about articulating a clear stance on this issue. If she’s been unintentionally vague and our concerns are misplaced, I assume her campaign checks in on threads like this and will promptly update her campaign website to express her views with more specificity. She’s a lawyer. I suspect she already chose her words carefully.

+1

Why so vague?

I think we have our answer. She did not want to come out in full support of trans kids rights. If she wanted to, she could.

This is a big issue for me. I will vote for a 22 year old interloper if he fully supports the Democratic agenda on trans kids rights, anti-censoring etc vs. a DINO who puts parents rights over the rights of trans kids and who is in favor of book bans.

I hope both candidates will clearly state their views on all of this so voters can decide.

What school pyramid is your child in, if you don’t mind me asking?

DP. Why TF would that matter?

.

Bc I think the pyramids are v different demographic wise and people don’t always know what families and students in other pyramids are facing. I see the above issues as important but not the number one challenges APS is facing.

Nice language, btw.

PP here, that may be true but I'm not going to tell you where my child goes to school.

Def understand! I asked about the pyramid btw, not the specific school. I just find it interesting that some people would have such broad concerns based on things that haven’t happened when there are a lot of real issues to solve. Like things that are happening right now.

I would guess you’re not in one of the high-poverty schools.

If you don't think the rights of trans kids is a real issue, then I guess this doesn't affect you personaly.

I am not a trans student, no. I am concerned with the safety and well-being of all students so that’s why I asked if it was a current issue.

[Anonymous]

I agree. Miranda's Twitter seems to be saying "good for him(/them)" without actually saying whether she would support trans students or not when her vote would actually matter.

I hope a lot of people hold her feet to the fire in the candidate forums. Ask questions in a way that will make her put her answer on the record. If she's wishy-washy like that Tweet, I will know my answer. Hopefully Angelo is more progressive than her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree. Miranda's Twitter seems to be saying "good for him(/them)" without actually saying whether she would support trans students or not when her vote would actually matter.

I hope a lot of people hold her feet to the fire in the candidate forums. Ask questions in a way that will make her put her answer on the record. If she's wishy-washy like that Tweet, I will know my answer. Hopefully Angelo is more progressive than her.

At this point, I'm writing in a candidate. Three DINOs were running, and now we're down to two. I can't vote for either of them. Maybe a true progressive candidate will run as an Independent later. They may win this time too. ACDC jumped the shark with this election cycle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree. Miranda's Twitter seems to be saying "good for him(/them)" without actually saying whether she would support trans students or not when her vote would actually matter.

I hope a lot of people hold her feet to the fire in the candidate forums. Ask questions in a way that will make her put her answer on the record. If she's wishy-washy like that Tweet, I will know my answer. Hopefully Angelo is more progressive than her.

At this point, I'm writing in a candidate. Three DINOs were running, and now we're down to two. I can't vote for either of them. Maybe a true progressive candidate will run as an Independent later. They may win this time too. ACDC jumped the shark with this election cycle.

I’m sorry. True progressives don’t run Arlington. If they did, missing middle would be passed by now and there wouldn’t be segregated schools in 22207. Doesn’t matter who wins school board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree. Miranda's Twitter seems to be saying "good for him(/them)" without actually saying whether she would support trans students or not when her vote would actually matter.

I hope a lot of people hold her feet to the fire in the candidate forums. Ask questions in a way that will make her put her answer on the record. If she's wishy-washy like that Tweet, I will know my answer. Hopefully Angelo is more progressive than her.

At this point, I'm writing in a candidate. Three DINOs were running, and now we're down to two. I can't vote for either of them. Maybe a true progressive candidate will run as an Independent later. They may win this time too. ACDC jumped the shark with this election cycle.

I’m sorry. True progressives don’t run Arlington. If they did, missing middle would be passed by now and there wouldn’t be segregated schools in 22207. Doesn’t matter who wins school board.

In the words of Paul Simon:

"Laugh about it shout about it when you have to choose...

Any way you look at it you lose..."


This is the saddest election cycle ever. Especially for the school board. There are good people in Arlington who could affect change in APS. I wish they were running instead of these two losers in all senses of the word.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does school board get to set trans policy re bathrooms and sports? I thought this was decided by Richmond? I get this is a hot button issue but it doesn’t really matter what the school board thinks, right?

Yes. It is a PIP that was approved in 2019 or 2020, I think.

Many VA school divisions ignored Northam’s Transgender policy directive to be more inclusive. NOVA schools have already stated they do not intend to change their PIPs if Youngkin’s transgender model policies are codified.

Exactly. As of now we have a school board that unaminously supports the rights of trans students. I don't want that to change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree. Miranda's Twitter seems to be saying "good for him(/them)" without actually saying whether she would support trans students or not when her vote would actually matter.

I hope a lot of people hold her feet to the fire in the candidate forums. Ask questions in a way that will make her put her answer on the record. If she's wishy-washy like that Tweet, I will know my answer. Hopefully Angelo is more progressive than her.

At this point, I'm writing in a candidate. Three DINOs were running, and now we're down to two. I can't vote for either of them. Maybe a true progressive candidate will run as an Independent later. They may win this time too. ACDC jumped the shark with this election cycle.

How is Angelo a DINO? He has his flaws but he does seem Dem through and through.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree. Miranda's Twitter seems to be saying "good for him(/them)" without actually saying whether she would support trans students or not when her vote would actually matter.

I hope a lot of people hold her feet to the fire in the candidate forums. Ask questions in a way that will make her put her answer on the record. If she's wishy-washy like that Tweet, I will know my answer. Hopefully Angelo is more progressive than her.

At this point, I'm writing in a candidate. Three DINOs were running, and now we're down to two. I can't vote for either of them. Maybe a true progressive candidate will run as an Independent later. They may win this time too. ACDC jumped the shark with this election cycle.

How is Angelo a DINO? He has his flaws but he does seem Dem through and through.

I definitely wonder about Miranda's Dem ties or at least those of her core supporters. I was in the APE Facebook group during her first campaign. One of the member urged non Dems to be a "Dem for a day" and vote in the Dem caucus.