APS - Who is running for School Board?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have no intention of voting for Symone, but the caucus is a farce and a power grab so I wouldn’t feel any guilt breaking it if I felt there was a better candidate come election time.

+1. The caucus is a farce but I think everyone should vote in it because it matters 1000x more than November will. Symone's supporters should absolutely vote in the caucus if they have a preference among the other 5, and then vote in November however they want to. It's not enforceable, and I don't feel bound by it.

[Anonymous]

It absolutely was Sims who pushed the issue with Symone. I have that from two different sources who talked to her directly about it. And both said he was an ass about it.

If you think that's noble, fine. And if you don't like Symone, fine. But know what you are voting for.

If he really was proud of what he did he would have issued a statement defending himself. He didn't, and that's telling. So you all can defend him all you want, but I won't vote for that kind of garbage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It absolutely was Sims who pushed the issue with Symone. I have that from two different sources who talked to her directly about it. And both said he was an ass about it.

If you think that's noble, fine. And if you don't like Symone, fine. But know what you are voting for.

If he really was proud of what he did he would have issued a statement defending himself. He didn't, and that's telling. So you all can defend him all you want, but I won't vote for that kind of garbage.

Again, Symone's evidence is that she says so? Sorry, given her need to save face for botching the Hatch Act stuff, I'm going to need more evidence than just her word. And being an ass is different than being a bully.

I know who/what I am voting for and this issue, which I think is tired and played out, doesn't change my ranking preference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s fine for people to move here and become involved, but she’s lived here 3 years....literally less than our kindergarteners. She should take the next 5-10 to get involved in the community and actually plant some roots before jumping into an important local office.

Without becoming emotional about it. Someone like Sandy was in APS forever while lots of students, mostly students of color and english language learners, fell behind year after year. I want someone like Cristina who wants to help those kids now instead of in 5 or 10 years. This isn't to beat up on Sandy. She's my number 2. It's just for some of us, we want change now.

I just don’t believe she’s a “change” candidate. Nobody who’s been planning for a lifetime to be a professional politician, and who is the pre-selected candidate of the ruling party, which has presided over and REINFORCED all the inequity for the last two decades, is going to be a “change” candidate. The party is as much to blame as any individual, probably more, as they talk out of one side of their mouth and then select candidates who enact policies that further divides and segregation and inequity, all to protect their wealthy donors.

Frankly, I am not sure we need that kind of “change” candidate. Kreiger is about the same, wanting “change” that merely has a veneer of equity.

I actually think Sandy would push the most change. She's a career teacher, not a politician, so I don't think she presents as well in debates as some of the other candidates. But do you want a smooth talker or someone who understands the system on the School Board? I had a chance to talk to Sandy in a smaller group setting and she was so authentic. She could have sailed into retirement, but instead she's running for School Board to fix the systemic problems that she wasn't able to fix as a teacher. She also knows where the bodies are buried in APS, which I think will be a helpful perspective to have on the School Board when the new superintendent comes on board. Her experience with APS at the high school level will also be extremely valuable in the immediate term as the new high school seats at WL and the Career Center come on-line. If you have kids in upper elementary and middle school, those decisions are going to shape the high school experience for your kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s fine for people to move here and become involved, but she’s lived here 3 years....literally less than our kindergarteners. She should take the next 5-10 to get involved in the community and actually plant some roots before jumping into an important local office.

Without becoming emotional about it. Someone like Sandy was in APS forever while lots of students, mostly students of color and english language learners, fell behind year after year. I want someone like Cristina who wants to help those kids now instead of in 5 or 10 years. This isn't to beat up on Sandy. She's my number 2. It's just for some of us, we want change now.

I just don’t believe she’s a “change” candidate. Nobody who’s been planning for a lifetime to be a professional politician, and who is the pre-selected candidate of the ruling party, which has presided over and REINFORCED all the inequity for the last two decades, is going to be a “change” candidate. The party is as much to blame as any individual, probably more, as they talk out of one side of their mouth and then select candidates who enact policies that further divides and segregation and inequity, all to protect their wealthy donors.

Frankly, I am not sure we need that kind of “change” candidate. Kreiger is about the same, wanting “change” that merely has a veneer of equity.

I actually think Sandy would push the most change. She's a career teacher, not a politician, so I don't think she presents as well in debates as some of the other candidates. But do you want a smooth talker or someone who understands the system on the School Board? I had a chance to talk to Sandy in a smaller group setting and she was so authentic. She could have sailed into retirement, but instead she's running for School Board to fix the systemic problems that she wasn't able to fix as a teacher. She also knows where the bodies are buried in APS, which I think will be a helpful perspective to have on the School Board when the new superintendent comes on board. Her experience with APS at the high school level will also be extremely valuable in the immediate term as the new high school seats at WL and the Career Center come on-line. If you have kids in upper elementary and middle school, those decisions are going to shape the high school experience for your kids.

I like her personally, but she's a rubber stamp for the admins. Even the teachers do not trust her to stand up for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s fine for people to move here and become involved, but she’s lived here 3 years....literally less than our kindergarteners. She should take the next 5-10 to get involved in the community and actually plant some roots before jumping into an important local office.

Without becoming emotional about it. Someone like Sandy was in APS forever while lots of students, mostly students of color and english language learners, fell behind year after year. I want someone like Cristina who wants to help those kids now instead of in 5 or 10 years. This isn't to beat up on Sandy. She's my number 2. It's just for some of us, we want change now.

I just don’t believe she’s a “change” candidate. Nobody who’s been planning for a lifetime to be a professional politician, and who is the pre-selected candidate of the ruling party, which has presided over and REINFORCED all the inequity for the last two decades, is going to be a “change” candidate. The party is as much to blame as any individual, probably more, as they talk out of one side of their mouth and then select candidates who enact policies that further divides and segregation and inequity, all to protect their wealthy donors.

Frankly, I am not sure we need that kind of “change” candidate. Kreiger is about the same, wanting “change” that merely has a veneer of equity.

I actually think Sandy would push the most change. She's a career teacher, not a politician, so I don't think she presents as well in debates as some of the other candidates. But do you want a smooth talker or someone who understands the system on the School Board? I had a chance to talk to Sandy in a smaller group setting and she was so authentic. She could have sailed into retirement, but instead she's running for School Board to fix the systemic problems that she wasn't able to fix as a teacher. She also knows where the bodies are buried in APS, which I think will be a helpful perspective to have on the School Board when the new superintendent comes on board. Her experience with APS at the high school level will also be extremely valuable in the immediate term as the new high school seats at WL and the Career Center come on-line. If you have kids in upper elementary and middle school, those decisions are going to shape the high school experience for your kids.

I like her personally, but she's a rubber stamp for the admins. Even the teachers do not trust her to stand up for them.

I agree. School board shouldn't be a retirement plan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s fine for people to move here and become involved, but she’s lived here 3 years....literally less than our kindergarteners. She should take the next 5-10 to get involved in the community and actually plant some roots before jumping into an important local office.

Without becoming emotional about it. Someone like Sandy was in APS forever while lots of students, mostly students of color and english language learners, fell behind year after year. I want someone like Cristina who wants to help those kids now instead of in 5 or 10 years. This isn't to beat up on Sandy. She's my number 2. It's just for some of us, we want change now.

I just don’t believe she’s a “change” candidate. Nobody who’s been planning for a lifetime to be a professional politician, and who is the pre-selected candidate of the ruling party, which has presided over and REINFORCED all the inequity for the last two decades, is going to be a “change” candidate. The party is as much to blame as any individual, probably more, as they talk out of one side of their mouth and then select candidates who enact policies that further divides and segregation and inequity, all to protect their wealthy donors.

Frankly, I am not sure we need that kind of “change” candidate. Kreiger is about the same, wanting “change” that merely has a veneer of equity.

I actually think Sandy would push the most change. She's a career teacher, not a politician, so I don't think she presents as well in debates as some of the other candidates. But do you want a smooth talker or someone who understands the system on the School Board? I had a chance to talk to Sandy in a smaller group setting and she was so authentic. She could have sailed into retirement, but instead she's running for School Board to fix the systemic problems that she wasn't able to fix as a teacher. She also knows where the bodies are buried in APS, which I think will be a helpful perspective to have on the School Board when the new superintendent comes on board. Her experience with APS at the high school level will also be extremely valuable in the immediate term as the new high school seats at WL and the Career Center come on-line. If you have kids in upper elementary and middle school, those decisions are going to shape the high school experience for your kids.

I like her personally, but she's a rubber stamp for the admins. Even the teachers do not trust her to stand up for them.

I agree. School board shouldn't be a retirement plan.

She often talks about the problems she knows about because she was an educator, but she doesn't have many solutions. I prefer Steven and Cristina. I might list her as my third choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s fine for people to move here and become involved, but she’s lived here 3 years....literally less than our kindergarteners. She should take the next 5-10 to get involved in the community and actually plant some roots before jumping into an important local office.

Without becoming emotional about it. Someone like Sandy was in APS forever while lots of students, mostly students of color and english language learners, fell behind year after year. I want someone like Cristina who wants to help those kids now instead of in 5 or 10 years. This isn't to beat up on Sandy. She's my number 2. It's just for some of us, we want change now.

I just don’t believe she’s a “change” candidate. Nobody who’s been planning for a lifetime to be a professional politician, and who is the pre-selected candidate of the ruling party, which has presided over and REINFORCED all the inequity for the last two decades, is going to be a “change” candidate. The party is as much to blame as any individual, probably more, as they talk out of one side of their mouth and then select candidates who enact policies that further divides and segregation and inequity, all to protect their wealthy donors.

Frankly, I am not sure we need that kind of “change” candidate. Kreiger is about the same, wanting “change” that merely has a veneer of equity.

I actually think Sandy would push the most change. She's a career teacher, not a politician, so I don't think she presents as well in debates as some of the other candidates. But do you want a smooth talker or someone who understands the system on the School Board? I had a chance to talk to Sandy in a smaller group setting and she was so authentic. She could have sailed into retirement, but instead she's running for School Board to fix the systemic problems that she wasn't able to fix as a teacher. She also knows where the bodies are buried in APS, which I think will be a helpful perspective to have on the School Board when the new superintendent comes on board. Her experience with APS at the high school level will also be extremely valuable in the immediate term as the new high school seats at WL and the Career Center come on-line. If you have kids in upper elementary and middle school, those decisions are going to shape the high school experience for your kids.

I like her personally, but she's a rubber stamp for the admins. Even the teachers do not trust her to stand up for them.

The AEA doesn’t represent the feelings of all teachers. I don’t think their endorsement of Cristina is anything other than a calculated political move by the leaders of the AEA, not the actual teachers. The actual teachers would like a teacher, and not a TFA drop out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s fine for people to move here and become involved, but she’s lived here 3 years....literally less than our kindergarteners. She should take the next 5-10 to get involved in the community and actually plant some roots before jumping into an important local office.

Without becoming emotional about it. Someone like Sandy was in APS forever while lots of students, mostly students of color and english language learners, fell behind year after year. I want someone like Cristina who wants to help those kids now instead of in 5 or 10 years. This isn't to beat up on Sandy. She's my number 2. It's just for some of us, we want change now.

I just don’t believe she’s a “change” candidate. Nobody who’s been planning for a lifetime to be a professional politician, and who is the pre-selected candidate of the ruling party, which has presided over and REINFORCED all the inequity for the last two decades, is going to be a “change” candidate. The party is as much to blame as any individual, probably more, as they talk out of one side of their mouth and then select candidates who enact policies that further divides and segregation and inequity, all to protect their wealthy donors.

Frankly, I am not sure we need that kind of “change” candidate. Kreiger is about the same, wanting “change” that merely has a veneer of equity.

I actually think Sandy would push the most change. She's a career teacher, not a politician, so I don't think she presents as well in debates as some of the other candidates. But do you want a smooth talker or someone who understands the system on the School Board? I had a chance to talk to Sandy in a smaller group setting and she was so authentic. She could have sailed into retirement, but instead she's running for School Board to fix the systemic problems that she wasn't able to fix as a teacher. She also knows where the bodies are buried in APS, which I think will be a helpful perspective to have on the School Board when the new superintendent comes on board. Her experience with APS at the high school level will also be extremely valuable in the immediate term as the new high school seats at WL and the Career Center come on-line. If you have kids in upper elementary and middle school, those decisions are going to shape the high school experience for your kids.

I like her personally, but she's a rubber stamp for the admins. Even the teachers do not trust her to stand up for them.

The AEA doesn’t represent the feelings of all teachers. I don’t think their endorsement of Cristina is anything other than a calculated political move by the leaders of the AEA, not the actual teachers. The actual teachers would like a teacher, and not a TFA drop out.

I work for a national union. You seem to misunderstand how unions work. AEA is a grassroots organization and leaders are elected by the membership. It's not that this is always a perfect process but it works for many small associations across the country. I had expected them to support Sandy because unions spend a lot of money electing their own people to local offices. That they didn't endorse her in addition to Cristina makes me think that they don't trust Sandy will be supportive of collective bargaining. Just my two cents.

[Anonymous]

The AEA in Arlington County has a history of endorsing the candidates favored by the ACDC. I can't think of any election where they rocked the boat. I am sure it is a strategic decision, since local politics in Arlington is so incestuous. I have never put any weight into their endorsement, especially when many of the teachers that I know don't either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s fine for people to move here and become involved, but she’s lived here 3 years....literally less than our kindergarteners. She should take the next 5-10 to get involved in the community and actually plant some roots before jumping into an important local office.

Without becoming emotional about it. Someone like Sandy was in APS forever while lots of students, mostly students of color and english language learners, fell behind year after year. I want someone like Cristina who wants to help those kids now instead of in 5 or 10 years. This isn't to beat up on Sandy. She's my number 2. It's just for some of us, we want change now.

I just don’t believe she’s a “change” candidate. Nobody who’s been planning for a lifetime to be a professional politician, and who is the pre-selected candidate of the ruling party, which has presided over and REINFORCED all the inequity for the last two decades, is going to be a “change” candidate. The party is as much to blame as any individual, probably more, as they talk out of one side of their mouth and then select candidates who enact policies that further divides and segregation and inequity, all to protect their wealthy donors.

Frankly, I am not sure we need that kind of “change” candidate. Kreiger is about the same, wanting “change” that merely has a veneer of equity.

I actually think Sandy would push the most change. She's a career teacher, not a politician, so I don't think she presents as well in debates as some of the other candidates. But do you want a smooth talker or someone who understands the system on the School Board? I had a chance to talk to Sandy in a smaller group setting and she was so authentic. She could have sailed into retirement, but instead she's running for School Board to fix the systemic problems that she wasn't able to fix as a teacher. She also knows where the bodies are buried in APS, which I think will be a helpful perspective to have on the School Board when the new superintendent comes on board. Her experience with APS at the high school level will also be extremely valuable in the immediate term as the new high school seats at WL and the Career Center come on-line. If you have kids in upper elementary and middle school, those decisions are going to shape the high school experience for your kids.

I like her personally, but she's a rubber stamp for the admins. Even the teachers do not trust her to stand up for them.

The AEA doesn’t represent the feelings of all teachers. I don’t think their endorsement of Cristina is anything other than a calculated political move by the leaders of the AEA, not the actual teachers. The actual teachers would like a teacher, and not a TFA drop out.

I work for a national union. You seem to misunderstand how unions work. AEA is a grassroots organization and leaders are elected by the membership. It's not that this is always a perfect process but it works for many small associations across the country. I had expected them to support Sandy because unions spend a lot of money electing their own people to local offices. That they didn't endorse her in addition to Cristina makes me think that they don't trust Sandy will be supportive of collective bargaining. Just my two cents.

There is no collective bargaining in VA, not yet anyway. The AEA is largely symbolic. They always endorse the ACDC candidate, even when teachers do not agree and actively campaign for a challenger (like in 2017). I wouldn’t read anything other than a rubber stamp into their endorsement. And frankly, as I stated upthread, the party itself has plenty to answer for in terms of not achieving equity in housing or education since they’ve had a lock on local elections for decade now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s fine for people to move here and become involved, but she’s lived here 3 years....literally less than our kindergarteners. She should take the next 5-10 to get involved in the community and actually plant some roots before jumping into an important local office.

Without becoming emotional about it. Someone like Sandy was in APS forever while lots of students, mostly students of color and english language learners, fell behind year after year. I want someone like Cristina who wants to help those kids now instead of in 5 or 10 years. This isn't to beat up on Sandy. She's my number 2. It's just for some of us, we want change now.

I just don’t believe she’s a “change” candidate. Nobody who’s been planning for a lifetime to be a professional politician, and who is the pre-selected candidate of the ruling party, which has presided over and REINFORCED all the inequity for the last two decades, is going to be a “change” candidate. The party is as much to blame as any individual, probably more, as they talk out of one side of their mouth and then select candidates who enact policies that further divides and segregation and inequity, all to protect their wealthy donors.

Frankly, I am not sure we need that kind of “change” candidate. Kreiger is about the same, wanting “change” that merely has a veneer of equity.

I actually think Sandy would push the most change. She's a career teacher, not a politician, so I don't think she presents as well in debates as some of the other candidates. But do you want a smooth talker or someone who understands the system on the School Board? I had a chance to talk to Sandy in a smaller group setting and she was so authentic. She could have sailed into retirement, but instead she's running for School Board to fix the systemic problems that she wasn't able to fix as a teacher. She also knows where the bodies are buried in APS, which I think will be a helpful perspective to have on the School Board when the new superintendent comes on board. Her experience with APS at the high school level will also be extremely valuable in the immediate term as the new high school seats at WL and the Career Center come on-line. If you have kids in upper elementary and middle school, those decisions are going to shape the high school experience for your kids.

I like her personally, but she's a rubber stamp for the admins. Even the teachers do not trust her to stand up for them.

The AEA doesn’t represent the feelings of all teachers. I don’t think their endorsement of Cristina is anything other than a calculated political move by the leaders of the AEA, not the actual teachers. The actual teachers would like a teacher, and not a TFA drop out.

I work for a national union. You seem to misunderstand how unions work. AEA is a grassroots organization and leaders are elected by the membership. It's not that this is always a perfect process but it works for many small associations across the country. I had expected them to support Sandy because unions spend a lot of money electing their own people to local offices. That they didn't endorse her in addition to Cristina makes me think that they don't trust Sandy will be supportive of collective bargaining. Just my two cents.

There is no collective bargaining in VA, not yet anyway. The AEA is largely symbolic. They always endorse the ACDC candidate, even when teachers do not agree and actively campaign for a challenger (like in 2017). I wouldn’t read anything other than a rubber stamp into their endorsement. And frankly, as I stated upthread, the party itself has plenty to answer for in terms of not achieving equity in housing or education since they’ve had a lock on local elections for decade now.

Sorry, meant to say more than two decades now.

[Anonymous]

So essentially it's just Katie Cristol stacking the school board with her personal puppet?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So essentially it's just Katie Cristol stacking the school board with her personal puppet?

I think Tannia had a big role in handpicking Cristina, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand the support for Sandy. We need school board members who will stand up to APS administration. This has been our biggest problem for years! With budgets being cut, I'm sure this is why AEA didn't endorse her. They don't trust her to have a mind of her own.

I feel the same way about Priddy. Someone as uninformed as him will not stand up to administrative staff.

I disagree. I think he's learning how to get stuff done behind the scenes. Before all this mess broke, he was part of an effort to fix ADA stuff at Fleet. And also was working on making the TJ/Fleet parking mess better. He's been making connections and leveraging them since he ran last year.

And say what you will about NVD, but I think she's the most analytical of our current members. He won her over, so I assume there's a reason.

Yeah, all it takes to "win over" NVD is to agree with her and tout the things she believes in.
I don't think David is a dynamic leader. I think he goes with the wind; but at least he asks questions and listens. I disagree that he is uninformed.

Everyone asks questions and listens!

Actually, no. There's "listening" and then there's "maybe waiting for you to stop speaking so I can tell you the right opinion and perspective" and then there's "hearing you so I can say I've listened before I utterly dismiss your opinion and experience."

Sorry. You are correct. Active listening is different than waiting to speak. My point is that I'm disappointed he doesn't have more to say since he has been campaigning longer than anyone. Did you read his septa responses? He had hardly anything to say.

PP - I agree with you on that. I don't ever hear him really express an idea of his own and he is not very thorough with his answers.