Anonymous wrote:Solidly in the anyone but Ilya camp over here and also anxious to send him packing. His kids aren't even in FCCPS and the WSJ article was a farce.

Agreed. Ridiculous to be critical of a school system you have zero experience of.

Mr Shapiro is clearly someone who is accomplished and who's opinion (in certain forums) is respected. He is also more than welcome to his opinion. That said a couple of things to note here:

- Mr Shapiro had ZERO children in FCC schools last year during the pandemic. Writing a moderately scathing national article of FCC schools, with just an opinion (rather than a solid reference point) isn't exactly helpful or endearing to the majority of the Falls Church City parents who had kids in school during the pandemic. It's like smelling the food walking past a restaurant and writing a bad yelp review
- Maybe some understanding and empathy to what both the school board, super intendant and teachers were going through? There's no playbook for "new pandemic" out there. They were all caught in between a rock and hard place balancing the safety of kids and getting the kids back into school. We were the first local district to fully open (from recollection). They were not perfect but what do you really expect?
- He appears to the love a Twitter retweet about kids not wearing masks in schools as well. Not sure that really plays too well in FCC right now. I heard Southwest has some bargain flights to Florida right now (just a thought)
- I fail to see - given his clear right leaning opinions on public schools - why he wouldn't just send his kids to private school? Wouldn't that be a more happier resolution for all? I can foresee a situation where's he's critical of every school decision to push his own agenda which will be a massive energy drain

There is a hint of narcissism to Shapiro's candidacy. "I'm here to save the day everyone". Me and lady who put all the signs up. We'll get it done for the parents of FCC.

Anonymous wrote:https://www.fcnp.com/2021/08/30/letters-to-the-editor-in-response-to-ilya-shapiros-letter-to-the-editor-from-july/

That's a great letter.

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it's important about the SB candidates' politics as if they can get stuff done!

Sure, but what stuff exactly do they want to get done? That's kind of important too.

I don't think it's important about the SB candidates' politics as if they can get stuff done!

Anonymous wrote:Mr. Shapiro has a rising KG.

If he knocks on your door, you can ask him why 73% of his donations come from outside of VA (as of 6/30/2021)?
https://www.vpap.org/committees/380700/top-donors/out-of-state/list/?start_year=2021&end_year=2021&contrib_type=all

Also how does he reconcile wanting to govern public schools when the organization he has chosen to work for is libertarian and anti- public schools.

Just as an FYI to whomever here… this is Courtney Mooney. I’m a very middle of the road person who typically tries to keep politics at arms length in general beyond being informed. I don’t think anyone’s politics is what’s going to make for a strong board member or what that has to do with a non-partisan school board election but if that’s truly important to any of you I’m happy to speak to you about it. Beyond that, I’ll be launching my website soon but I welcome any questions from any of you and would be happy to speak with or trade emails if you’d like! I’m a very straightforward and open person and am willing to have whatever conversation you need in order to feel like an informed voter, at least as far as my candidacy goes, so don’t hesitate to reach out.

My email is: courtneymooneyforfccsb@gmail.com

Have a nice evening, all!

Mr. Shapiro has a rising KG.

If he knocks on your door, you can ask him why 73% of his donations come from outside of VA (as of 6/30/2021)?
https://www.vpap.org/committees/380700/top-donors/out-of-state/list/?start_year=2021&end_year=2021&contrib_type=all

Anonymous wrote:Solidly in the anyone but Ilya camp over here and also anxious to send him packing. His kids aren't even in FCCPS and the WSJ article was a farce.

+1. His supporters (many of those on the open schools facebook page for example) keep sayings that the election will show the "establishment" that the people are on his side. I think that's completely wrong and really hope he comes in absolute last place to show those people that the city's voters are NOT supportive of what he stands for and wants to do with the public schools.

Solidly in the anyone but Ilya camp over here and also anxious to send him packing. His kids aren't even in FCCPS and the WSJ article was a farce.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do any candidates have websites where we can donate/engage with their campaigns? I’m anxious to defeat Shapiro.

Jerrod Anderson and Lori Silverman are the only two candidates besides Ilya who seem to have websites. I've been wondering the same thing. I think almost all the candidates are liberal/progressive (based on their voting records and what I can find online) except Ilya and Courtney. I have friends who support Jerrod and reached out to him. They said he was labeled as Rep in the Blue VA article, but that was wrong and he's not at all aligned with llya, beyond some ill-advised joint petition signings. Lori is solidly D and has endorsements from everyone, including Marcus Simon, according to the News-Press. I haven't seen anything from the rest of the pack.

Anyway, lots of good candidates to support but most of them don't seem to be campaigning yet!

Thanks for this helpful information.

I fear if Shapiro is elected, he will use his position to push libertarian policies and run to Fox News or the WSJ when the Board does things he does not agree with.

Anonymous wrote:Do any candidates have websites where we can donate/engage with their campaigns? I’m anxious to defeat Shapiro.

I am with you on that. His op-Ed was ridiculous.

Anonymous wrote:Do any candidates have websites where we can donate/engage with their campaigns? I’m anxious to defeat Shapiro.

Jerrod Anderson and Lori Silverman are the only two candidates besides Ilya who seem to have websites. I've been wondering the same thing. I think almost all the candidates are liberal/progressive (based on their voting records and what I can find online) except Ilya and Courtney. I have friends who support Jerrod and reached out to him. They said he was labeled as Rep in the Blue VA article, but that was wrong and he's not at all aligned with llya, beyond some ill-advised joint petition signings. Lori is solidly D and has endorsements from everyone, including Marcus Simon, according to the News-Press. I haven't seen anything from the rest of the pack.

Anyway, lots of good candidates to support but most of them don't seem to be campaigning yet!

Do any candidates have websites where we can donate/engage with their campaigns? I’m anxious to defeat Shapiro.