On speeches alone, I liked Sandy and Dave. I also like Terron, who I know through my Civic Association. I'm open to Symone, though her AEM tone is off-putting and her speech was overly laden with progressive talking points (APS needs a trauma-informed approach, and this is a big enough issue that its a SB platform? maybe, but I need to be persuaded on this one). Cristina is a hard no and a ridiculous candidate.

I think Sandy and Symone have my vote. They are clearly focused on APS, know the system, and care deeply.

Cristina is a blatant political climber and obviously deeply ACDC connected. I'm disappointed in Parisa for endorsing her.

I think Priddy has taken good steps this year to get involved, but I think the other two have a much greater depth of experience.

I like Terron too- and might flip to him from one of the other two.

I skimmed through the videos and laughed when Cristina talked about having "built a career." She's what, 27? No thank you.

Interested in what the others have to say.

Anonymous wrote:Just to correct above, Sandy is a current APS teacher at WL, but she's retiring in June and would be a former teacher by the time she joins the board next January. I have heard her speak in a smaller setting (where she was pretty candid) and I came away really impressed. She was blunt that she thinks APS has suffered tremendously under Murphy's leadership-- both in terms of teacher morale and delivery of quality services to students and families. She's running to reverse those declines. She still has grandkids in APS and is very passionate about fixing things. I'm usually skeptical about Arlington boomers, but I think she would be an important voice in shutting down the "we already spend too much on schools" boomer crowd. She's been very active in Civ Fed (which is basically all boomers) and has been outspoken about the need to fully fund school capacity.

Thanks for this!

Just to correct above, Sandy is a current APS teacher at WL, but she's retiring in June and would be a former teacher by the time she joins the board next January. I have heard her speak in a smaller setting (where she was pretty candid) and I came away really impressed. She was blunt that she thinks APS has suffered tremendously under Murphy's leadership-- both in terms of teacher morale and delivery of quality services to students and families. She's running to reverse those declines. She still has grandkids in APS and is very passionate about fixing things. I'm usually skeptical about Arlington boomers, but I think she would be an important voice in shutting down the "we already spend too much on schools" boomer crowd. She's been very active in Civ Fed (which is basically all boomers) and has been outspoken about the need to fully fund school capacity.

Anonymous wrote:Christina Diaz-Torres is clearly a candidate who sees the school board as a stepping stone to bigger things. That doesn't mean she wouldn't take it seriously, but she has no background with APS or Arlington County at this point. She has nothing to offer over the other candidates. I don't understand why ACDC is putting their forces behind her.

They’re blinded by the blue. As always.

Christina Diaz-Torres is clearly a candidate who sees the school board as a stepping stone to bigger things. That doesn't mean she wouldn't take it seriously, but she has no background with APS or Arlington County at this point. She has nothing to offer over the other candidates. I don't understand why ACDC is putting their forces behind her.

As a parent of a student with a reading disability, I would be thrilled to have a school board member who has experienced that journey in APS and bring personal perspective to the issue. Symone has my vote. I’m also just generally glad to see the field has expanded beyond Cristina. She may have a promising future in politics and with the Democratic Party, but I’m very turned off by the fact that she doesn’t have kids in the system or a background of teaching in the system. Has she ever had to cry through an IEP meeting? Has she ever had to decide whether to move her child to a different school because of bullying or bad teaching? Until you’ve had to grapple with problems at your own child’s APS school, or had a career within APS, you’re not qualified to be making decisions about our schools on our behalf. I’m a democrat and I generally vote along party lines, but I think it was a blunder for the democrats to assume we wouldn’t notice that their proposed candidate lacks the basic life experience we should all require of our school board members.

Anonymous wrote:Anyone catch the speeches from last night? Thoughts?

I want to know how a progressive like Parisa ended up introducing a throwback like Cristina. Cristina seemed to bury her time as a Teach for America intern or fellow or whatever they're called. I don't blame her, but it doesn't make me trust her, either.

Terron seems very "pull yourself up by your bootstraps." He seems like a good guy, but that's not what I want to hear from a SB member.

I though Priddy's claim that working in business prepares you for public service was iffy. Like, you have to make the cuts that are best for the community when you're working for private enterprise? That is generally not how business make decisions. I like that he's served on the PTA.

I like that Sandy and Symone have experience dealing with students who need support for their LDs and know how slowly the wheels of APS grind. I think that's one of the big areas that needs improvement.

Anyone catch the speeches from last night? Thoughts?

I would take this group of 5 over our entire current board. Can we make that happen?

Anonymous wrote:Cristina Diaz-Torres: Did Teach for America, moved to Arlington 3 years ago, works with Katie Cristol
https://www.cristinaforarlington.com/

Dave Priddy: Native Arlingtonian, used to work for an elevator company, has kids in APS, lives in Arlington Heights (I think)
https://priddyforschoolboard.com/

Sandy Munnell: Former APS teacher, current grandparent of APS students
https://sandyforschools.nationbuilder.com/

Symone Walker: Lawyer, current parent of two APS MS students, one with dyslexia
https://symoneforstudents.com/

Terron Syms: Former military, longtime volunteer in APS
http://www.terronsims.com/

Thank you- that is very helpful.

Sorry, Terron Sims with an I, not a Y

Cristina Diaz-Torres: Did Teach for America, moved to Arlington 3 years ago, works with Katie Cristol
https://www.cristinaforarlington.com/

Dave Priddy: Native Arlingtonian, used to work for an elevator company, has kids in APS, lives in Arlington Heights (I think)
https://priddyforschoolboard.com/

Sandy Munnell: Former APS teacher, current grandparent of APS students
https://sandyforschools.nationbuilder.com/

Symone Walker: Lawyer, current parent of two APS MS students, one with dyslexia
https://symoneforstudents.com/

Terron Syms: Former military, longtime volunteer in APS
http://www.terronsims.com/

I missed the meeting last night, but I hear there are now 5 candidates. Does anyone know who the 5 are?