ACDC School Board Debate

Opening Statements:

Libby Garvey: Arlington deserves good government. We have great schools and we also have great challenges. Forbes calls us the best place to educate a child.  We need to complete the capital cycle at a time of tight budgets.  Focus on closing student achievement gap is crucial. We've cut the achievement gap in half, but there's more to do.  We're not perfect, but we're nationally recognized. A great school system does not happen by accident. Leadership counts. We use data rather than political opinion.  I have proven skills.

Reid Goldstein: Thank you for coming. Arlington is a world class community. ...schools campaign. That is our standard and proven management. Excellence is the reason we come here. People choose to live in Arlington -- that's why we pay so much to live in small houses.  That's why we aren't moving to Fairfax for big houses and lawns. We must manage our resources properly.  I don't offer platitudes or vague ideas. I will use verbs and close rules. "I will" care about schools, etc.  I look forward to your questions.

Much, much more on the "flip"

Karla Hagan: Happy tax day. It's great to see such a good audience here today. Dedication to good schools and good governance.  We need new energy and fresh vision. Need to ensure that our kids are ready for the 21st century. They have to face the big challenges -- energy, environment. They will need creativity, innovation, effective communication skills.  The future is exciting. Everyone needs to be ready. I have been on the council of instruction. Served the Nauck community.  VP of Drew Model School. Treasurer of ACDC.  2007 joint campaign in Arlington. So glad to have worked with so many of you. I have two young daughters in Arlington public schools, a PhD [in Physics], commitment to Democratic ideals. Thank you for coming.

James Lander: Thank you for coming. I have been VP of the Wakefield PTA. I care about all of our children. I want our children to maximize their potential. We have wonderful schools.  I want to advocate for all of our children. I want to improve the process by which we make decisions. In capital process and boundaries. Our schools have to  be responsive to each child's needs, support all our children. Critical responsibility to bring together the community.

Terron Sims: Good evening.  I am running for Arlington School Board. Arlington public schools are world class. There is a void that our education system is not filling. Close and eliminate the achievement gap.  Teach and train our children to all of their god-given abilities.  JFK said "Let us think education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream, which fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation." They need the skills to do this. Make the dream of attending college a reality; attending college is crucial. It is imperative that each child's parents are involved in the process. My work at Wakefield has prepared me.  

Emma Violand-Sanchez: I am a proud Democrat. I came to the US as a teenage immigrant. I am proud to be a parent of two Arlington public school grads. I started a program that is cited as a national model comprehensive program for English Language Learners. I want every graduate to be prepared to compete in the global work force. From my work with UVA I know how to make pathways to college happen. I believe that education supports equity. We need to eliminate the achievement gap, enhance partnerships with colleges, ensure that teachers are lifelong learners.  Recipient of Jim Hunter Human Rights Award.  Goals of equity and fiscal accountability.

Question by Reid Goldsten, how would you create a more effective working relationship with the county board?

Emma: I think that we have to have open communication. Trust and confidence that our board members all Democrats can work together. I believe in being a team worker. I believe that I have to respond to the school system I need to advocate for the schools. We have to work together. Si se puede.

Libby: The relationship with the county board is critical.  I have helped elect every one of them.  Agree with Emma on transparency and communication.  Always advocate strongly for the schools. Perfectly willing to negotiate, but not going to be a doormat. Talk to school board more often.

Karla: We all submit one tax check to the county, we should all work together.  There's no purpose to the school board publicly bashing the County Board. Must work together. Ensure community values are met.

James: I would better engage our community through concept of the stakeholders triangle. We have people who are very knowledgeable about the system. Who are those people on the SB? We cannot leave you out of the process.

Terron: Independence of school board and county board is important. We need to have a purpose and reason to do so. As a member of the fiscal board I understand where the county needs to be. I believe we need to look for alliances.

Reid: Not an adversarial relationship; we are all trying to achieve the same thing for a better Arlington. Regular meetings with school board, ensure that the desire to meet does not fall through the cracks. Institutional dual meetings.

What are you going to do for students with intellectual disabilities and mental health concerns?

Karla: We don't do a great job for a students. We really have some basic understandings we need to get across. These things are biological. Cannot  blame the mother. Partner with the schools. Parents often feel the schools need to work together.

Emma: Very important to work with students with mental health and intellectual issues. We have heard the parents speak passionately about their kids.  Need to avoid labels like "emotionally disturbed."  Some of these students are very intelligent, need to have a challenging educational program. Many students have expressed the needs of having work opportunities. Furthermore we need better training for our staff. Gap between research and practice.

Libby: A really good school system handles students at every point on the "bell curve."  I had one student labeled GT and one LD. We do a good job but we can do better. This is hard. But we have to have better staff development, especially with emotional issues.  Work with the county, culture of continuous improvement.

James: First thing we need to do is recognize it is a disease not a "behavior problem." System needs to be responsive to each child's needs. One of the benefits I experienced is that each child has their needs to recognize. We need to recognize each child; all children learn differently.  Remove hurdles so that parents can advocate for their children.

Terron: I have been in discussions. 4 issues: 1) enforce Commonwealth's educational mandate; 2) bang for the buck and programs; 3) make sure child is progressing; 4) that the child is ready to transition from school to adult world.

Reid: We all met with the community services board. I took away that the Arlington public schools are one part of the continuum to benefit students for their whole life.  Need to do  a better job of linkages with the county. Focus on nationwide best practices.

Question from Emma -- how does your experience and background prepare you to represent the diverse Arlington public schools population?

Karla: APS has 99 languages; diversity is a wonderful strength.  Need to do the work, meet folks, advocate, listen to all their issues. I send my daughter to Drew "majority minority" school. This is the way I live my life. I have served on the board of directors of the housing community development.  

Libby: I have worked as a Peace Corps volunteer in Africa with different languages. I have learned from my half Salvadoran granddaughter, half-Ecuadoran granddaughter. You don't treat your mom with enough respect. Minority student achievement network. Part of a consortium for closing the achievement gap. Enjoyed my time on the board, learned a lot from Frank Wilson.

Terron: I can discuss my experience in Baghdad. Also, mentoring and tutoring at Wakefield and Harvey Hall. Kids there speak a Arabic and I remember a little of it. You have to spend the time not just shaking hands. I have spent two years with the kids. Mentoring has been one of the most rewarding experiences.

James: I have worked in Navy (former Naval officer) with people from all different backgrounds.  It was my idea to move meetings to South Arlington.  I will bring diversity and balance to the school board. Frank Wilson endorsed me not because I'm the "black candidate." I am a father who brings independent leadership to the school board.  

Reid: I grew up in an all white suburban neighborhood and school. However, we wanted mor diverse neighborhood for our family, moved into Douglas Park at Randolph schools. Recognized that people who were working nights did not get a chance to work. Worked with parents who are poor, underrepresented. I am going to continue to advocate for them.

Emma: I have worked for Arlington public schools for 30 years.  There are students from 127 countries, 99 languages.  Proud of my Latino identity. I can be a voice for all students and parents. 67% of our students are Spanish speakers. Tonight we provided simultaneous interpretation for the first time in Arlington.  What positive identity contributes to all students. I bring an understanding that helps me work with all students. Inclusion and access. We need to close the graduation gap and represent all students.

Question: How can we assure the community's voice is listened to regarding school construction?

Terron: First there must be a level of trust. With reference to boundaries, there has to be a structured way of doing this. 3-4 varied solutions designed by the community. Once they go into the schools we have to follow through. We have to make decisions.

Libby: This is referring to facilities, not to boundaries.  But we didn't worry about including county board on the W-L. The process was broken. Both boards have agreed to a process. On our side time is money - time matters. On the other side, they work with developers and time isn't money. One goes back and forth and takes time.

James: Continue to advocate for the completion of Yorktown and Wakefield. We cannot save most expensive items until the end of the cycle. That's poor planning. We need to have passionate discussions about each school, engage our diverse community. We need to have better planning. Let's extend the term. Instead of two years they serve for four years so that they are there for a longer time.

Reid: The processes that we have seen recently, unfortunately have followed similar process -- wasted parent eneergy. Neighborhoods at each others' throats; neighborhood civil war. Only way for one neighborhood to win is for another to lose. My professional background as a strategic planner allows me to work to yield benefits for everybody.

Emma: The underlying principles are fairness and fiscal accountability. Students from all parts of Arlington public schools have to have  equal access to excellent education and top-notch facilities. We have to complete the work with Wakefield as soon as possible.  We have to work with the high school continuation facilities that are being transferred to the Wilson building.  Let's be fair to all our students and all voters in Arlington.

Karla: Listening to the community. This is why I am running. We don't have citizen input done right. We don't prioritize it. Citizens have led the way on so many issues. We have an amazing community. We live in an urban community. This is a resource.

Question: What can we do about the High School dropout rate?

Terron: I have two phase plan. Running to eliminate the gap. First education begins in the home. Like Carlin Springs elementary to get them involved. We have to bring them in. I want to form a partnership with local chambers so that they can plan from the 8th grade year on. Kids who are not planning to go to college can do that.

Reid: NEA has an interesting position that the NEA should take, compulsory graduation. Transmit this value to our children. No one drops out because we knows it necessary in the 21st century economy.

Libby: It's hard to have good data. Sometimes kids drop out but really just go home. Immigrant students drop out because they need to care for their families and earn money. Kids get frustrated with the states. Working to pass the DREAM Act. Close the achievement gap. We can also do a better job with our transition programs from middle school to high school.

Emma: Unacceptable dropout rate. When we know that 95% of white students graduate and only 62% of Latino students (and 75% of African Americans) graduate we have a problem. Moving Arlington Mill to Wilson building is a terrible idea. For 10 years the school system knew the change was coming. Let's support them.

Karla: We need to have real data on this. A Completely unacceptable for the school board to rely on incomplete data. A double digit dropout rate is unacceptable. We have some successes; we need to replicate them. Needs of most at-risk youth need to be addressed.  For kids who don't graduate we need to continue the high school continuation program. Concerned about move to Wilson building; adds another barrier.

James: When we talk about students who don't graduate we need to have accurate data. We cannot lose parents who have had kids pass through. Encourage kids to challenge themselves and take difficult classes. Research best practices. We have to eliminate the achievement gap; we've hit a wall.

Question: What do you think the relationship should be between the school board and the superintendent?

Libby: The job is to stay connected with the community, ensure that policies reflect the values of the school system and the community.  School board sets policies which are set as a board with votes.  We hire the superintendent. Good educational leader. Surveys and examine data. Superintendent who gives top notch advice but not politically always astute, that's our job.

Terron: I agree with Libby. The relationship is the like the army personnel relationship. The SB does not have the level of expertise that the community has. We need to make our schools even better.  Constant dialog with community.

James: I see it as the school board sets policy and vision. Superintendent needs to execute/enact policies. The school board has a critical responsibility of supporting community, schools and parents. If we utilize the expertise we will be able to choose a better course. Bring together community, parents, school board, subject matter experts. One Arlington.

Reid: School board's job is make sure community values are reflected. Too many times we have confused management and complexity. Managers deal with complexity, leaders take risks.

Emma: What I bring is a perspective and experience to the school board and senior staff. I know what goes on in the schools.  Relationships are crucial, need to work collaboratively. Arlington has had stability, and that's a good thing. Frustration among the citizens, though, whose recommendations may not have been listened to.

Karla: Our superintendent deserves credit, has gotten us to where we are now. $419 million budget, our job to ask tough questions. Reflect community values. Disagreement is fine. I am a scientist by training; as long as there is mutual respect that's the most important thing. The school board has to be there to ask the tough questions.

Question: What help will you provide to the first language support program?

Emma: I'm very proud to have started this program. Students are learning Spanish in content. Program has been very successful. Research shows that first language needs to be valued and used. If students are learning in content in their native language they are ready. The research is clear, but sometimes decisions are made on a political basis.

Terron:  I value Emma's work on the program, support it. We have to teach all our non-English programs. I see that programs such as this is expanded.

Karla:  I have been on the advisory program. It's supposed to implemented for 10 hours a week needs. We're not implementing the program as designed.  We need data on whether it's effective or not.

James:  I support all of those programs, but Spanish is just one part of it. We just be supportive of all children's needs, eliminate achievement gap without holding back students at the top. All students have educational needs.

Reid: I agree with the comments we need more data on the impact of first language support program.  Children speak 99 other first language besides Spanish.  We need to expand this. State Dept. foreign language to train kids with FLI's curriculum and linguistic heritage.

Libby:  I was really excited about first language support program. Parents come here alingual. Many students came here without a strong language at all. First language support; need data to see if it really has worked. We need to continue evaluating it.

Question by Libby: of what accomplishments are you most proud?

Terron: Education-wise in Baghdad we had a meeting in one of our poorest neighborhoods. Trash is not going to get delivered. Forced School Boards to get our resources to get school started on time.

James: I was single until I was 35, though I knew everything.  My wife and daughter are my proudest accomplishments. Things have changed proud of my family and thankful for its support.

Emma:  I am proud of being here and coming here as a teenager. I am living the American dream, running for office.  Sister suggested running for public office. Very proud of my accomplishments in educational field. Single parent and work with the community. Proud of my work with Bolivian orphanage, very proud to be a Democrat, proud to live up to Democratic ideals.

Karla: I did my dissertation on experiment the size of this room. I proud of getting through it as a woman. Value of people getting together. Started discussion group at UVA, women in science. Proud of 2007 joint campaign with Amanda Brino. All of our candidates were elected, helped "turn Virginia blue." Proud of education in Arlington.

Reid: Mixture of things I am proud of. Resolving overcrowding at Randolph. Help international baccalaureate at Thomas Jefferson. Working on the issue of under age drinking. Raised the goal of closing the achievement gap. Proud as a father and a parent. Proud to be at this table.

Libby: Proud to be here after the last few weeks. Working on the education council. Proud of my networks. Proud of creating a culture accomplishment not afraid of being evaluated. We're not afraid of being evaluated.  We're not perfect but we're getting better. Culture of continuous improvement. We have AED panels and emergency preparedness.

Closing Statements

Libby: Thank you for being here. Good Arlingtonians.  Things have gotten a lot better since I've been on the school board.  We are blessed with one of the best school systems; with continuity it can get better. I have worked with you. I am an advocate, I have grandkids here. I do not want to lose hard won gains.

Reid: Thank you for coming here. I have long been a leader and advocate for Arlington and a leader for north and south Arlington schools. Challenge bad ideas. I represent change. We can't get better without leadership.

Karla: So many challenges. Unfunded mandates, shortage of preschools, and achievement gap. Pledge to be an advocate for children, steward of tax dollars. Do a better job on the environment. Innovative educational programs. Need to be ready to address these issues and have proven leadership we need. We need your vote in the school board caucus May 1 and May e. Asking for your vote.

James: Thank you for your time. I care about all of our students. I will bring balance, independent leadership to the school board. I Worked with middle and high schools. I have a combination of skills and experiences that no other candidate can claim. Work together in effective partnership.

Terron: Great to see you all, democracy alive and well in Arlington. Eliminate the achievement gap. We have to get our parents thoroughly engaged. Second we must reach out to our community, local businesses.

Emma: I thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight I have come a long way from Bolivia. As a long time worker I want to continue to contribute. My passionate belief will help all students receive the highest quality education. Open communication, bridge to diverse communities. Promote goals for every student. Equity and excellence.

Peter Rousselot: In two weeks we will hold our process. This a voluntarily process. We need our caucus volunteers. We need people to help this out.

Comments