APS - Who is running for School Board?

[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.

This. 1) Terron 2) Cristina 3) Priddy

Terron's bullying is unacceptable for a school board member. He lost my vote. I'm supporting Cristina in the caucus and Cristina and Symone in the general election.

OMG, I am SOOOO over the "Symone is a victim" trope! On what basis do you say that Terron bullied Symone? Because she or campaign team said so? Has she presented any evidence that he did it? From my standpoint, all we know for certain is that Symone was violating the Hatch Act. There is ONE federal agency that has the authority to say whether or not someone is complying with or violating the Hatch Act: the Office of Special Counsel. The Office of Special Counsel weighed in and said she was violating the Hatch Act by participating in the Dem caucus. The advice reportedly given to her by her agency runs counter to pretty much everything that I, as a fed, and evey other fed know about Hatch. If I were as "diligent" as she claims to be, then I would have gone to the Office of Special Counsel and sought an opinion from the experts before running. She didn't do that and it bit her in the ass. So, as a way to stop herself from looking negligent and not a very good lawyer, she threw down the victim card and tried to blame someone else. I would have been able to forgive it if she accepted even a tiny bit of responsibility, but she didn't. What I've heard her campaign say about Terron is vicious and, as a lawyer myself, I would say her campaign is starting to cross into the defamatory space.

Let's not forget that Symone has made a lot of enemies during her time on AEM and in other spaces. She does not exactly play well in the sandbox with others and is certainly NOT a consensus builder. There were a lot of people on this forum, particularly other feds, who were at best suspect and at worst pissed that she was allowed to run given Hatch restrictions. Any number of them could have reported Symone. Those of us active in Arl Dem politics know that one of her agency's board members lives in Arlington and received an award from ACDC last year for his campaigning efforts. He certainly could have raised the warning flag within the agency.

Where is Symone's responsibility in all of this? Really, her violation of FEDERAL LAW is someone else's fault? Hasn't she been a fed lawyer for 20 years? Is this how she'll be as a SB member? Even if Terron was at all involved in OSC becoming involved in this situation, I am okay with that. I would much rather have someone who calls out wrongs when s/he sees them and calls people out on their BS. I want a leader who will hold school administrators, including the new superintendent, to account. But again, I don't even believe that Terron is culpable in a way that fits Symone's narrative.

Finally, when you requested your ballot, you indicated that you would not support any other candidate running against the Democratic endorsee. That's the point of the pledge. A lot of folks sit out the Dem caucus because of the pledge, as they believe it's disingenuous to do exactly what you say you're about to do. Just some food for thought.

I'm ranking Sandy, Terron and Cristina in that order. Just don't think Priddy or Steven bring enough to the table to warrant a rank.

AMEN!!!!!!
Except for your rank order, AMEN AMEN AMEN!
Symone may be passionate and it's nice to have elected officials with passion. But she is also divisive, narrowly-focused, judgmental, and self-righteous. That is not the personality I want on our School Board.

[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.

That's your proof? That you talked to the person who is accusing Terron?
I admit I am not overly familiar with how the process works; but did Office of Special Counsel really identify the person filing the complaint to the person being called out?
It's time Symone's supporters just get over it and move on. She was on very shaky ground on her own action, and that's more important to me than the fact that someone else pushed her over the edge - rightfully so. I would much rather she err on the side of caution now than be pulled back for some reason after the caucus, or after the election.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

THIS.
Period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I think Tannia was just holding off on her announcment until she had the go ahead from ACDC and ACDC was ready for Cristina to announce and begin campaigning. That's the extent of Tannia's role.
As far as being a "puppet" for Katie. I don't think she's to be a puppet - Katie couldn't care less about the school board or its governance. She is merely helping along the up and coming democratic politician, pointing her in the direction of school board because it will be a great steppnig stone to something bigger. Pure politics. Not puppeteering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

That's your proof? That you talked to the person who is accusing Terron?
I admit I am not overly familiar with how the process works; but did Office of Special Counsel really identify the person filing the complaint to the person being called out?
It's time Symone's supporters just get over it and move on. She was on very shaky ground on her own action, and that's more important to me than the fact that someone else pushed her over the edge - rightfully so. I would much rather she err on the side of caution now than be pulled back for some reason after the caucus, or after the election.

It’s time Terron supporters accept that his approach lost him any real chance at winning the election. Well played by Cristina and company, who avoided controversy and got Terron to eliminate the real competition for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I think Tannia was just holding off on her announcment until she had the go ahead from ACDC and ACDC was ready for Cristina to announce and begin campaigning. That's the extent of Tannia's role.
As far as being a "puppet" for Katie. I don't think she's to be a puppet - Katie couldn't care less about the school board or its governance. She is merely helping along the up and coming democratic politician, pointing her in the direction of school board because it will be a great steppnig stone to something bigger. Pure politics. Not puppeteering.

+1 but not someone I’d vote for

[Anonymous]

I'm voting for Sandy (who I know and like) and Terron (who I've heard good things about) - and maybe give David Priddy a 3. Cristina has no experience with APS and Steve is a nut.

[Anonymous]

If Kanninen is elected to Gutschall's CB seat, what happens then? Another special election for SB?

This fall I'm guessing O'Grady is the chair and Reid is the co-chair.

What a year. No superintendent yet, possibly 3 board members replaced. And still no replacement for the head of Teaching & Learning?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If Kanninen is elected to Gutschall's CB seat, what happens then? Another special election for SB?

This fall I'm guessing O'Grady is the chair and Reid is the co-chair.

What a year. No superintendent yet, possibly 3 board members replaced. And still no replacement for the head of Teaching & Learning?

I think you're right there would be a special election for BK's seat if she wins the CB seat. I don't when it would be held, though. I wonder whether that special election would be held even before the Nov 3 general election.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If Kanninen is elected to Gutschall's CB seat, what happens then? Another special election for SB?

This fall I'm guessing O'Grady is the chair and Reid is the co-chair.

What a year. No superintendent yet, possibly 3 board members replaced. And still no replacement for the head of Teaching & Learning?

I think you're right there would be a special election for BK's seat if she wins the CB seat. I don't when it would be held, though. I wonder whether that special election would be held even before the Nov 3 general election.

Who else thinks the board will just confirm Cintia as the superintendent and call it a day?

[Anonymous]

Thoughts from the league of women voters forum from yesterday. Bless them for making new technology work during a pandemic. I really enjoyed the inclusion of students. There were a lot of questions about distance learning and ideas for education next year. David was pleasant but had the shortest answers of all the candidates, and didn't have many ideas about managing APS through a crisis. Cristina surprised me with how informed she was for how short a time she's lived here. Her responses to school reopenings and distance learning were the most thorough. Sandy did well answering questions about all issues except for those about reopenings or adjusting for closures next year. I found Terron to be very personable in a small group setting. He seems to know about APS but didn't have any real policy ideas. Steven spoke a lot about boundaries. In fairness, he was asked about the topic. Symone showed up late and didn't answer any questions. They gave her 5 minutes to speak at the end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thoughts from the league of women voters forum from yesterday. Bless them for making new technology work during a pandemic. I really enjoyed the inclusion of students. There were a lot of questions about distance learning and ideas for education next year. David was pleasant but had the shortest answers of all the candidates, and didn't have many ideas about managing APS through a crisis. Cristina surprised me with how informed she was for how short a time she's lived here. Her responses to school reopenings and distance learning were the most thorough. Sandy did well answering questions about all issues except for those about reopenings or adjusting for closures next year. I found Terron to be very personable in a small group setting. He seems to know about APS but didn't have any real policy ideas. Steven spoke a lot about boundaries. In fairness, he was asked about the topic. Symone showed up late and didn't answer any questions. They gave her 5 minutes to speak at the end.

I missed it but plan to watch the young Dems debate this week. I like Steven and hope he's asked about more than boundaries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

THIS.
Period.

Why wouldn't they endorse David too? He seems to have more support from elected officials than any of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

THIS.
Period.

Why wouldn't they endorse David too? He seems to have more support from elected officials than any of them.

I don't think Priddy is favored by the ACDC. Same for Terron, even though he has a lot of endorsements from current and elected officials, too. It seems only Cristina is favored by ACDC in this one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

That's your proof? That you talked to the person who is accusing Terron?
I admit I am not overly familiar with how the process works; but did Office of Special Counsel really identify the person filing the complaint to the person being called out?
It's time Symone's supporters just get over it and move on. She was on very shaky ground on her own action, and that's more important to me than the fact that someone else pushed her over the edge - rightfully so. I would much rather she err on the side of caution now than be pulled back for some reason after the caucus, or after the election.

+1

She violated the Hatch Act. That’s on her.