Fairfax County School Board Preview/Endorsements

We've been covering the Fairfax County School Board very carefully on this blog for the last four years.  The reality is they have been a total failure on a number of key issues and really need some turnover.  With 6 of 12 seats open that change is coming. 

But will it be the right kind of change, or change that leads to a school board banning library books like Harry Potter for witchcraft, or trying to "tone down" the sex education as Republican candidates have tried to do in the past?

Here's where I see the races stacking up right now- and my endorsements.

At Large (Top 3 win)
Outlook:  Slight-Lean Moon, Slight Lean Mancheno-Smoak, Toss Up
My endorsements: Ilryong Moon, Ted Velkoff, Ryan McElveen
Others Worth Considering:  Steve Stuban, Sheree Brown-Kaplan

Analysis: At-Large is always chaotic for the Fairfax School Board, with all candidates running on one ballot for 3 seats.  With the exception of 2007 when the GOP failed to field legislative candidates in over 100 precincts in eastern Fairfax- leading to reduced turnout and a Democratic sweep- voters in Fairfax have always split their ticket for At-Large seats, electing at least one Democratic endorsed candidate and one Republican endorsed.  This year the likely outcome is Ilryong Moon on the Democratic side, and Lolita Mancheno-Smoak for the GOP- with the other candidates fighting for 3rd place.

Endorsement: That having been said, I would first recommend the entire Democratic At-Large ticket to voters.  Ilryong Moon has been an outstanding member of the Board and absolutely deserves re-election.  Ted Velkoff has been all over Fairfax County working since he announced at the start of this year.  Ryan McElveen can provide a perspective of a former student that the board hasn't had in recent years.

For voters who don't want to vote for all the Democrats, you have two good options.  Steve Stuban is the father of a student who committed suicide after going through the absurd and punitive Fairfax school discipline system.  A win by his campaign (endorsed by both teachers unions) would send a loud signal that voters will not tolerate the excuses from Fairfax administrators on their abuses of students any longer.  Sheree Brown-Kaplan (endorsed by one of the two major teachers unions) is a special education advocate with support from a number of Democrats that I have a lot of respect for.  She is also worthy of consideration.  

Braddock District
Outlook:  Toss Up
My Endorsement:  Megan McLaughlin

Analysis: This open seat race between Nell Hurley and Megan McLaughlin is one of the most competitive in the county.  Downballot from the only seriously contested Supervisor race, the school board race in Braddock is getting less attention than it deserves.  With John Cook backing Hurley, and Janet Oleszek backing McLaughlin, this race may hinge on the outcome of the Supervisor's race. 

Endorsement:  I would recommend that voters select McLaughlin who has been a parent advocate involved in FairGrade as well as other school reform initiatives.  Hurley is a good person, but expressed some extreme views in her at-large school board race on social issues- and that is not the direction the Fairfax School Board needs to go.  Yes, I had some fun at Megan's expense during the Democratic Primary in Braddock but I really do believe she is the better candidate in this race and voters should select her.

Hunter Mill District
Outlook:  Leans Hynes
My endorsement:  Pat Hynes

Analysis: Hunter Mill is a solidly Democratic district, which gives Pat Hynes the political edge over Nancy Linton. In fact, Linton hasn't had much of a campaign at all here, probably hoping for low turnout.

Endorsement: Hynes is the better choice for voters with her nine years of experience in the classroom- a perspective the School Board could use.

Dranesville District
Outlook:  Slight-Lean Epstein
My Endorsement: Janie Strauss

Analysis:  This race is the most likely incumbent take down in the county.  For some strange reason, Janie Strauss decided to take on the Chairmanship of the Board in an election year when voters are angry with the School Board- in a very marginal district.  With both teachers unions backing Louise Epstein, she looks like the favorite going into the final month.

Endorsement:  Remember what I said earlier about the crazy Republican social issues candidates?  Watch out for that here- as Epstein's campaign manager sent a memo to GOP candidates earlier this year on how to avoid talking about issues of concern to the GLBT community in Fairfax County Schools.  That should send off all sorts of warning bells about Epstein's real agenda here.

Lee District
Outlook:  Safe Kaufax
Endorsement:  None

Tamara Kaufax is running unopposed in Lee.  She'll obviously win.  I'm declining to endorse since I've never met her, and know absolutely nothing about her.

Mason District
Outlook:  Safe Evans
My Endorsement:  Sandy Evans

Also running unopposed is Sandy Evans.  All you need to know about Evans is she was the handpicked replacement by Kaye Kory- one of the best School Board members Fairfax has ever had.  She is very deserving of your vote.

Mt. Vernon District
Outlook:  Slight-Lean Storck
My Endorsement:  Dan Storck

Analysis:  A big break occurred just before the filing deadline for Dan Storck when a GOP candidate filed against local Delegate Scott Surovell.  With Scott bringing out Democratic votes, it brings a race that looked to be slipping away from Democrats back into a Dem upperhand.  Michelle Nellenbach will need to counter the upballot Dem momentum for Surovell and Toddy Puller to pull this off now.

Endorsement:  I'm not enthused with Storck or his record, but the ridiculous comments from his opponent on "wasteful spending" in the schools (with nothing backing that up) shows that she is an ideologue and not running for the best interest of the students.  Voters better stick with the incumbent here.

Providence District
Outlook:  Safe Reed
Endorsement:  Write In Someone Else

Patty Reed is running unopposed in Providence District.  She does not deserve re-election and voters should write in someone else.

Springfield District
Outlook:  Leans Schultz
Endorsement:  Elizabeth Schultz

Analysis:  This open seat for Liz Bradsher's position is one of the most charged races of the year after the closing of Clifton Elementary School.  Of all the bad decisions the Board has made this might have been the worst one and has electrified the rural section of Fairfax County in the southwest portion of the county.  Elizabeth Schultz was a parent of students at Clifton and blocked Bradsher's re-endorsement on the GOP side when she ran herself.  After the Dems refused to accept Bradsher she decided not to run again, and John Wittman stepped forward.  The energy is behind Schultz in this GOP leaning area which gives her the edge.

Endorsement:  Yes, I am endorsing Schultz even though she is a Republican.  It is very important for Clifton to be re-opened and only the election of Schultz can send that message to the School Board.  I might normally bite my tounge in a case like this but Wittman has been coordinating with Bradsher.  Anyone that would want the support of someone like Liz Bradsher should not be near any public office.

Sully District
Outlook:  Toss Up
Endorsement:  Kathy Smith

Analysis:  In a tough GOP area and with a public revolt brewing over the School Board, Kathy Smith should be toast in this election.  But her GOP opponent, Sheila Ratman hasn't run much of a campaign.  That's leaving the door open for Kathy to pull off a win here if she can convince the public the next four years will be better.

Endorsement:  In a year with a lot of turnover, it would be good to have a few School Board members back with some experience.  Kathy led the School Board as Chairman for a few years and it would be good to have her back for another four years on the Board.

Comments

[Not Ben Tribbet's Hair Piece]

Surprise, you endorse all but one Democrat! I'm voting straight Republican and/or anyone NOT endorsed by the unions.

[GAida]

I had heard on facebook that someone was putting up an effort against Reed in Providence before the filing deadline but I guess that never happened. Its a damn shame.

[JS]

You didn't give any reason for not liking Patty Reed. What did she do to you?!?!?!?

[Good For You]

It isn't like NLS to back down from anything he wrote, but good for him for endorsing Megan in Braddock. We need to stay as united as possible to beat the Culipher-Cook-Hurley ticket.

[Elizabeth Schultz]

I commend Ben for having the political fortitude to endorse me and thank him for it. Mary Kimm from The Connection Newspapers just called the Fairfax County School Board "arguably the most important race this year" (http://tiny.cc/69wat)
I indefatigably have different picks around the county for the seats which are contested. The ultimate message of the interest in and impact of this race is the public demand of the electorate to be heard (really heard).
The ~1.1 million residents in the county, the future of the students we graduate from FCPS, the 580,000 jobs in the county, the property values of homeowners, the long-term care of the facilites in the FCPS inventory owned by the taxpayers (75% of whom do not have children in the Fairfax County Public Schools), relationship of the School Board and Board of Supervisors - who transfer nearly 54% of the county's entire budget to the School Board...all of these combine to determine the overall health, reputation and direction of Fairfax County.
My time spent with residents throughout the Springfield District and Fairfax County has been very rewarding. I hope I draw across the political spectrum for votes on November 8th as I intend to work across the same spectrum to achieve much-needed solutions.
Educate yourselves as voters, so we can educate the students of the county with the best teachers, best curriculum and best schools we can possibly offer.
We aren't there now, so it is in your hands as voters.

[Edthemanva]

Sheree Brown-Kaplan endorsed by Patty Reed, Pat Herrity and former VA SS Jane Woods as well.

[Not Bubby]

Always get a great laugh seeing a blogger make endorsements. Back in the days when blogging was at least somewhat relevant, bloggers would *report* on things that the MSM wouldn't. NLS is so desperate to be important, he's not content to report things - he has to BE the news.

Are people actually supposed to care what some pimply faced dude living in his mom's basement thinks?

[Noticed]

Kudos to Ben for endorsing Elizabeth Schultz. What is ironic is that, given the bad decisions the school system bureaucrats and several Democrat incumbent school board members made on the disciplinary policy and the closing of Clifton Elementary, Ben chooses to support them anyway.

It is also funny that Ben calls what he did to Megan "having fun at Megan's expense." No, Ben, you basically called her "bitch," which is a lot more extreme. Other officials can look forward to this kind of treatment from Ben whether or not he has endorsed them.

[tmtfairfax]

NMLS proves himself clueless about Dranesville. It would be nice if people who lived in Arlington kept their noses out of Fairfax County. The discontent with Janie Strauss stems from her general failure to fight for the district. Quick to go along with the Administration, Strauss has been accepting of the largest class sizes in FCPS in many schools in Dranesville, while protecting staff jobs. A kindergarten class at Spring Hill Elementary has 35 students. Parents, be they Democrats, Republicans or Independents, simply find this unacceptable and want change.

[GretchenLaskas]

I'm really pleased with having both Megan and Janet running in Braddock. I still content (like a broken record) that the school board races are more likely to bring in independent or less politically active voters out this fall who may or may not know much about the other elections. But here in Braddock, Megan is a well known, well connected and hard working candidate appealing to those very voters, and Janet's superb commitment to education here in FC needs no comments (however glowing) from me.

If I'm right, then Megan and Janet will each bring voters into the election that will naturally appeal to the other. Given that I expect both races in Braddock to be extremely tight, having this team on the same page makes me very happy.

[alchemy99]

Hi.

[alchemy99]

Go Megan! Looking forward to you being on the school board!

[martinlomasney]

Smith voted to open SoCo; close Clifton; against parental notification; Miranda warnings; for Dale's contract extension through 2013; and against SLEEP because it would interfere with her kid's ballet lessons and reduce bus driver's income. All with derision and disrespect for her opponents.

Why are you endorsing her, ben

[Mozart]

Louise Epstein may have an "agenda," but it's very hard to believe that it has much to do with LGBT issues, one way or the other. She's extremely well-informed on the whole gamut of issues affecting FCPS students.

Janie Strauss, while smarter and less confrontational than the likes of Liz Bradsher, has been wrong on too many issues in recent years: Dale's contract; Gatehouse II; closing Clifton ES, while building SoCo Middle; tolerating large class sizes in Dranesville schools; and protecting silly boundaries that disadvantage students in adjacent districts. Epstein has an enormous amount of energy and smarts, and can start on a clean slate.

[tmtfairfax]

Epstein prepared detailed spreadsheets analyzing FCPS non-teaching staff and raised excellent questions about FCPS budget proposals, which were not answered by either the Administration or the School Board. Toss in ever-growing class sizes in McLean and Great Falls schools, and a number of parents began to see leadership in Epstein. The incumbent, who does have excellent people skills and a very strong knowledge of FCPS oprations, moved to defend the Administration, as she did when no elementary school in these communities had full-day kindergarten. The issues in Dranesville are performance related. In sum, the situation is the reverse of the 2007 supervisor's race, where Foust won by highlighting DuBois' failure to deliver on issues of importance to Dranesville residents.
One more reason why people from Arlington should stay out of Fairfax County issues.

[Corn Dawg]

Reed is the School Board rep for my district and I think she's doing a good job; what is your problem with her, NLS? You don't cite any problem, you just say write someone else in. I'm left wondering!

[trojanwife]

Please consider a vote for Lin-Dai Kendall as your FCSB At-Large candidate. Lin-Dai wants the very best for our schools, our communities and our students. Democrat or Republican, you should want the candidate that will work to keep our schools the best of the best. Lin-Dai brings that to the table.

[McLean Parent]

These comments on Louise Epstein are absurd and insidious. Anyone watching the debate Monday night would realize that she has no hidden agenda but better education for our children. Janie Strauss, by contrast, offered insipid platitudes and quite frankly lied about her role in changing the grading system. This blog needs to be renamed to "Not Informed."

[Quit Fairgrade]

What's not to like about Patty Reed?

1. Patty Reed lied about being a teacher.
2. Patty Reed embezzled email addresses from the Friends of Oakton Library and used them to raise political donations.
3. Patty Reed went on paid vacation during the school board vote to close Clifton Elementary School.
4. Patty Reed voted to raise student parking fees because she drove her child to school.
5. Patty Reed tried to consolidate bus stops so students walked further because she drove her child to school.
6. Patty Reed violated transparency statutes to avoid letting citizens find out what she was scheming with political organizations.
7. Patty Reed's violation of statutes caused the FCPS to spend thousands of dollars in legal fees to defend her illegal actions.
8. Patty Reed worked behind the scenes to shut down all year round schools in the neediest and most diverse neighborhoods to save money.
9. Patty Reed has missed and been late to school board meetings because of her tennis lessons at her club and tanning appointments.
10. Patty Reed never reported the monetary and in-kind donations from Louise Epstein and Fairgrade, thus violating campaign reporting laws.

Patty Reed represents the best of "Animal Farm" as she holds her self as more equal and can break laws that others follow.

[John Alexander]

Kathy Smith has to go !!! This is ridiculous that she should be even considered after all the craziness that she has created. I'm voting for Sheila Ratnam this time around. I voted for Kathy Smith last time to find out what a mistake I made. I'm not doing it this time. Sheila's message on her website made sense to me. Kathy has just made me angry. I checked out Sheila's website @ www.sheilaratnam.org. I even shot her an email and she responded to me immediately. I spoke with her and she was very polite and to the point. My vote is for Sheila Ratnam. She was endorsed by the teachers Union and the Zero Tolerance groups. It makes sense. Kathy Smith deserves to leave along with Jack Dale. Sheila has two kids in the school system and has a lot more at stake than Kathy Smith. I think that everyone should be behind Sheila this time !! Sully, it's time for a change !!