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[quote=Anonymous]The conspiracy theorists on this thread are trolls. OP, welcome to Arlington. APE, AEM, and Smart Restart were all started by APS parents who were heavily involved in their school PTAs and already involved in APS in various county-wide committees before COVID. The idea that any of these groups is backed by dark money or other secrets is just crazy talk. We've been in APS for almost 10 years now, and I have personally worked on committees at various times with all the leaders of the three organizations that you listed. APS is a shit show that has been getting worse every year, and honestly all of the organizations have the same end goal, which is to turn the ship around. Some of these parents worked together pre-pandemic on school capacity issues and were actually friends, so it is too bad that COVID has created so many hard feelings.

The root of a lot of the APS disorganization is that the Arlington County Democratic Committee (ACDC) controls the School Board. They hold an endorsement caucus each spring, to pick the ACDC-backed candidate for School Board. Then in November, ACDC passes out sample ballots at all the polling locations, so if you are a 23 year old showing up to vote for President, you just also check whatever box the ACDC tells you to pick for the county races. For the past decade, ACDC has viewed School Board as a practice position to be a stepping stone to County Board or other higher office. They don't really care about the schools. This has led to a School Board dominated by board members without any kids in APS-- mostly boomers, but more recently a childless millennial who ACDC views as up and coming in the party. Board members pursue their pet issues for political soundbites, while totally ignoring the bigger problems in the school system. ACDC bears as much responsibility for Youngkin's election as anyone. I am sure that their manipulation of the school board did lead some Democrats in Arlington Co to break for Youngkin.

I don't align with all of APE's positions, but I am glad that they are there now. Once all the pandemic fighting blows over, they might actually be an effective counter-balance to the ACDC's influence on APS. We need more parents on the School Board who understand what is going on. We don't need figurehead School Board members who are one foot out the door before they even hit the dais. [/quote]

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