Tell me more about the School Board election process

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps their is a possibility that they could scale back there work. What does the School Board have to do and what can they stop doing? Seems to me they stick their noses in a lot of places where they don't belong. Micromanaging.

I feel the same. School board has a term of 4 years? Does superintendent has a term limit? And when a superintendent steps down, FCPS administration is still there to continue the way of operation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree. Why did we have primaries? Why not just one election if it's non-political?

School board does not have a primary.

They operate like one. People step down after one person gets an endorsement

[Anonymous]

I was reading about this map that shows the highest test scores/best public schools by counties in the US. And it has nothing to do with Democrats Vs Republicans. It’s all about demographics and SES. Period. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do our homework on the SB (I’m the OP) but I’m starting to think that the SB has a lot less control over things like academics and behavioral issues. And those are the issues that concern me the most.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was reading about this map that shows the highest test scores/best public schools by counties in the US. And it has nothing to do with Democrats Vs Republicans. It’s all about demographics and SES. Period. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do our homework on the SB (I’m the OP) but I’m starting to think that the SB has a lot less control over things like academics and behavioral issues. And those are the issues that concern me the most.

I have taught in Title I schools with very, very poor kids.

Our SB spends more time talking about social issues and "equity" than in funding programs that will provide "equity" in achievement.

They are far more concerned about gender, sexual, and racial issues than they are funding programs that will help kids achieve.

It is not really the SB job to research and find the programs--it is their job to see that the staff does this. And, then, they should be looking at the data, etc. presented to them and FUNDING effective academic programs rather than funding SES surveys.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was reading about this map that shows the highest test scores/best public schools by counties in the US. And it has nothing to do with Democrats Vs Republicans. It’s all about demographics and SES. Period. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do our homework on the SB (I’m the OP) but I’m starting to think that the SB has a lot less control over things like academics and behavioral issues. And those are the issues that concern me the most.

I have taught in Title I schools with very, very poor kids.

Our SB spends more time talking about social issues and "equity" than in funding programs that will provide "equity" in achievement.

They are far more concerned about gender, sexual, and racial issues than they are funding programs that will help kids achieve.

It is not really the SB job to research and find the programs--it is their job to see that the staff does this. And, then, they should be looking at the data, etc. presented to them and FUNDING effective academic programs rather than funding SES surveys.

Who did the poor kids ' parents voted for? Who will they vote for?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was reading about this map that shows the highest test scores/best public schools by counties in the US. And it has nothing to do with Democrats Vs Republicans. It’s all about demographics and SES. Period. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do our homework on the SB (I’m the OP) but I’m starting to think that the SB has a lot less control over things like academics and behavioral issues. And those are the issues that concern me the most.

I have taught in Title I schools with very, very poor kids.

Our SB spends more time talking about social issues and "equity" than in funding programs that will provide "equity" in achievement.

They are far more concerned about gender, sexual, and racial issues than they are funding programs that will help kids achieve.

It is not really the SB job to research and find the programs--it is their job to see that the staff does this. And, then, they should be looking at the data, etc. presented to them and FUNDING effective academic programs rather than funding SES surveys.

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was reading about this map that shows the highest test scores/best public schools by counties in the US. And it has nothing to do with Democrats Vs Republicans. It’s all about demographics and SES. Period. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do our homework on the SB (I’m the OP) but I’m starting to think that the SB has a lot less control over things like academics and behavioral issues. And those are the issues that concern me the most.

I have taught in Title I schools with very, very poor kids.

Our SB spends more time talking about social issues and "equity" than in funding programs that will provide "equity" in achievement.

They are far more concerned about gender, sexual, and racial issues than they are funding programs that will help kids achieve.

It is not really the SB job to research and find the programs--it is their job to see that the staff does this. And, then, they should be looking at the data, etc. presented to them and FUNDING effective academic programs rather than funding SES surveys.

Who did the poor kids ' parents voted for? Who will they vote for?

Doubtful that they vote. Many are not eligible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How many current school board members are FCPS parents or grandparents? If school board members have children in Fairfax county public schools, will they care students more than politics?

Good question. Anyone?

I am not running, but I care deeply about public schools. I do not have children in FCPS currently. I don't think that should be a requirement as long as your motive is to make the schools better. I have students who are graduates.

Sometimes, people are only concerned about single issues. Megan and Sandy were focused on a later start for high schools. That is what triggered their interest. I think their interests enlarged as they got on the Board. I did not agree with Sandy on many issues or Megan, for that matter.

Clearly, Abrar's goal is politics in general. I believe the same is true of McElveen and Frisch.

Melanie Meren has children in FCPS and she is a TERRIBLE board member.

My wish: that the political parties not be allowed to endorse the candidates. As long as that occurs, we will have this mess.
But, if we are not going to forbid that, then have primaries so people can vote--and not activists.

School board candidates shoule not be allowed to collect any campaign donations from out of state donors or donors who do not reside in Fairfax County.

All donations should be required to be from Fairfax County residents.

Frisch, for example, raises a lot of money, the majority of which is from out of state donors from the west coast. He should not be able to use any of those out of state donations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps their is a possibility that they could scale back there work. What does the School Board have to do and what can they stop doing? Seems to me they stick their noses in a lot of places where they don't belong. Micromanaging.

It the school board only focused on non controversial, education focused issues like literacy and math skills, they would have much shorter meetings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was reading about this map that shows the highest test scores/best public schools by counties in the US. And it has nothing to do with Democrats Vs Republicans. It’s all about demographics and SES. Period. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do our homework on the SB (I’m the OP) but I’m starting to think that the SB has a lot less control over things like academics and behavioral issues. And those are the issues that concern me the most.

I have taught in Title I schools with very, very poor kids.

Our SB spends more time talking about social issues and "equity" than in funding programs that will provide "equity" in achievement.

They are far more concerned about gender, sexual, and racial issues than they are funding programs that will help kids achieve.

It is not really the SB job to research and find the programs--it is their job to see that the staff does this. And, then, they should be looking at the data, etc. presented to them and FUNDING effective academic programs rather than funding SES surveys.

PP here. I agree with the premise. Can a SB make that happen?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How many current school board members are FCPS parents or grandparents? If school board members have children in Fairfax county public schools, will they care students more than politics?

Good question. Anyone?

I am not running, but I care deeply about public schools. I do not have children in FCPS currently. I don't think that should be a requirement as long as your motive is to make the schools better. I have students who are graduates.

Sometimes, people are only concerned about single issues. Megan and Sandy were focused on a later start for high schools. That is what triggered their interest. I think their interests enlarged as they got on the Board. I did not agree with Sandy on many issues or Megan, for that matter.

Clearly, Abrar's goal is politics in general. I believe the same is true of McElveen and Frisch.

Melanie Meren has children in FCPS and she is a TERRIBLE board member.

My wish: that the political parties not be allowed to endorse the candidates. As long as that occurs, we will have this mess.
But, if we are not going to forbid that, then have primaries so people can vote--and not activists.

School board candidates shoule not be allowed to collect any campaign donations from out of state donors or donors who do not reside in Fairfax County.

All donations should be required to be from Fairfax County residents.

Frisch, for example, raises a lot of money, the majority of which is from out of state donors from the west coast. He should not be able to use any of those out of state donations.

1st amendment

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was reading about this map that shows the highest test scores/best public schools by counties in the US. And it has nothing to do with Democrats Vs Republicans. It’s all about demographics and SES. Period. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do our homework on the SB (I’m the OP) but I’m starting to think that the SB has a lot less control over things like academics and behavioral issues. And those are the issues that concern me the most.

I have taught in Title I schools with very, very poor kids.

Our SB spends more time talking about social issues and "equity" than in funding programs that will provide "equity" in achievement.

They are far more concerned about gender, sexual, and racial issues than they are funding programs that will help kids achieve.

It is not really the SB job to research and find the programs--it is their job to see that the staff does this. And, then, they should be looking at the data, etc. presented to them and FUNDING effective academic programs rather than funding SES surveys.

It seems to be that plenty of extra money and attention gets sent to Title I (including lots of federal money) and other poor schools. Is there a specific program or more you would recommend?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was reading about this map that shows the highest test scores/best public schools by counties in the US. And it has nothing to do with Democrats Vs Republicans. It’s all about demographics and SES. Period. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do our homework on the SB (I’m the OP) but I’m starting to think that the SB has a lot less control over things like academics and behavioral issues. And those are the issues that concern me the most.

I have taught in Title I schools with very, very poor kids.

Our SB spends more time talking about social issues and "equity" than in funding programs that will provide "equity" in achievement.

They are far more concerned about gender, sexual, and racial issues than they are funding programs that will help kids achieve.

It is not really the SB job to research and find the programs--it is their job to see that the staff does this. And, then, they should be looking at the data, etc. presented to them and FUNDING effective academic programs rather than funding SES surveys.

It seems to be that plenty of extra money and attention gets sent to Title I (including lots of federal money) and other poor schools. Is there a specific program or more you would recommend?

Actually, when I taught in Title I, we had a talented teacher who wrote up a grant to get an extra teacher for math. She set up a math lab. i was a first grade teacher. She would take half my class and work with manipulatives of all sorts to help them learn the princples and understand the process. I worked with the other half with worksheets and drills. Then we switched the kids and followed the same routine. The results at the end of the year were impressive.
This was intensive, simple, and cheap. Good, solid, and direct instruction along with lots of practice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How many current school board members are FCPS parents or grandparents? If school board members have children in Fairfax county public schools, will they care students more than politics?

Good question. Anyone?

I am not running, but I care deeply about public schools. I do not have children in FCPS currently. I don't think that should be a requirement as long as your motive is to make the schools better. I have students who are graduates.

Sometimes, people are only concerned about single issues. Megan and Sandy were focused on a later start for high schools. That is what triggered their interest. I think their interests enlarged as they got on the Board. I did not agree with Sandy on many issues or Megan, for that matter.

Clearly, Abrar's goal is politics in general. I believe the same is true of McElveen and Frisch.

Melanie Meren has children in FCPS and she is a TERRIBLE board member.

My wish: that the political parties not be allowed to endorse the candidates. As long as that occurs, we will have this mess.
But, if we are not going to forbid that, then have primaries so people can vote--and not activists.

School board candidates shoule not be allowed to collect any campaign donations from out of state donors or donors who do not reside in Fairfax County.

All donations should be required to be from Fairfax County residents.

Frisch, for example, raises a lot of money, the majority of which is from out of state donors from the west coast. He should not be able to use any of those out of state donations.

1st amendment

Wt??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How many current school board members are FCPS parents or grandparents? If school board members have children in Fairfax county public schools, will they care students more than politics?

Good question. Anyone?

I am not running, but I care deeply about public schools. I do not have children in FCPS currently. I don't think that should be a requirement as long as your motive is to make the schools better. I have students who are graduates.

Sometimes, people are only concerned about single issues. Megan and Sandy were focused on a later start for high schools. That is what triggered their interest. I think their interests enlarged as they got on the Board. I did not agree with Sandy on many issues or Megan, for that matter.

Clearly, Abrar's goal is politics in general. I believe the same is true of McElveen and Frisch.

Melanie Meren has children in FCPS and she is a TERRIBLE board member.

My wish: that the political parties not be allowed to endorse the candidates. As long as that occurs, we will have this mess.
But, if we are not going to forbid that, then have primaries so people can vote--and not activists.

School board candidates shoule not be allowed to collect any campaign donations from out of state donors or donors who do not reside in Fairfax County.

All donations should be required to be from Fairfax County residents.

Frisch, for example, raises a lot of money, the majority of which is from out of state donors from the west coast. He should not be able to use any of those out of state donations.

1st amendment

Wt??

I think OP means that the first amendment allows him to take the donations. I think, though, that if more people were aware of the reason he is getting so much money and from whom he is getting it, they might take a second look at Frisch--a negative look.