Staggered terms are a way for the establishment to maintain control. It's one of the key ways a board of directors fights against corporate raiders, for example. So it's no surprise that the establishment of other communities thinks it's a good idea.

Either way, it doesn't do anything to actually educate children. Talk about making a mountain over a mole-hill...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s what Democrats do, complain, deflect, waste time, never solve problems. Why cities like NY, DC, LA, SF & Chicago are in such bad shape and school systems like Fairfax and Arlington are headed in the wrong direction.

Sure no one like right wing nut jobs but need to elect people willing to roll up their sleeves and solve problems.

Ah yes, because Republican-led school districts in southern states are shining examples of success…

In comparison, yes they are much, much better,

Anonymous wrote:It’s what Democrats do, complain, deflect, waste time, never solve problems. Why cities like NY, DC, LA, SF & Chicago are in such bad shape and school systems like Fairfax and Arlington are headed in the wrong direction.

Sure no one like right wing nut jobs but need to elect people willing to roll up their sleeves and solve problems.

Ah yes, because Republican-led school districts in southern states are shining examples of success…

Anonymous wrote:The amount of time… one discussion? Do you know how many hours school leaders put in? Your premise is flawed. Also, staggered terms are a good idea so why is it a problem to suggest it?

Yes, it has been months this has been discussed. And I don’t see the Board dedicating any work sessions to addressing their math SOL pass rate being under 50 percent last year.

And this process isn’t even a discussion, it is performative. This panel was one sided and just repeated arguments Booz and Baird have been making for months.

In the end, I think it is a judgment call whether this is a good idea. I agree with OP that it is crazy that so much time has been dedicated to this.

It’s what Democrats do, complain, deflect, waste time, never solve problems. Why cities like NY, DC, LA, SF & Chicago are in such bad shape and school systems like Fairfax and Arlington are headed in the wrong direction.

Sure no one like right wing nut jobs but need to elect people willing to roll up their sleeves and solve problems.

The really chilling thing in the proposal is moving to at-large members. Given ACPS' focus of anti-racism you'd think that would be a non-starter given the history of at-large elections in Alexandria.

Anonymous wrote:The amount of time… one discussion? Do you know how many hours school leaders put in? Your premise is flawed. Also, staggered terms are a good idea so why is it a problem to suggest it?

This has been a really long, drawn out discussion. And they even paid consultants to put out surveys.

Staggered terms lead to lower voter turnout and cost more money. We need to align the election the city wide elections.

Anonymous wrote:The amount of time… one discussion? Do you know how many hours school leaders put in? Your premise is flawed. Also, staggered terms are a good idea so why is it a problem to suggest it?

Why is it a problem to suggest it is?

They've been talking about this for months. It hasn't been one discussion. So your premise is flawed.

I care because ACPS is in the tank and is a statewide joke and this a major focus of the board's. How many public discussions have they held like this one about improving proficiency? What is their plan for teaching kids to read?

The amount of time… one discussion? Do you know how many hours school leaders put in? Your premise is flawed. Also, staggered terms are a good idea so why is it a problem to suggest it?

Anonymous wrote:They can’t fix the real problem. They defer educational issues that are hard to fix and go against the political culture, so they defer with this sideshow.

Won't. They won't fix the real problems. So they do this busy work that won't change anything educationally. You are correct, the issues are hard to fix, long term and go against political culture. The board's focus on this (particularly Baird's and Booze's focus) reveal that they could care less about the quality of education the children are getting. It's repugnant.

They can’t fix the real problem. They defer educational issues that are hard to fix and go against the political culture, so they defer with this sideshow.

Corruption in what way?

Perhaps corruption and politics? Just a guess...

Why are they focused on school board elections and not actual education?

This is all I hear about:
https://www.alxnow.com/2023/07/14/arlington-and-falls-church-leaders-advise-alexandrias-school-board-to-stagger-terms-and-reduce-size/

If only they focused this amount of time, energy and discussion about why only 62 percent of ACPS students are proficient in reading and why only 49 are proficient in math and science.