Letter to the Editor: Campaign Manager for School Board Candidate Louise Epstein
School Board race
Dear Editor,
I would like to respond to School Board member Brad Center’s recent comments about remarks candidate Louise Epstein made at the School Board debate with Jane Strauss on Sept. 26th. (http://mclean.patch.com/articles/letter-to-the-editor-school-board-member-says-epstein-statements-are-incorrect)
Louise Epstein stands by her remarks that Jane Strauss was not providing leadership on the FAIRGRADE issue with her fellow School Board members. As FAIRGRADE’s Director of Communications, I have made available to the press the email communications from 2008-09 that summarize the in-depth discussions Louise had during that time with School Board member Brad Center.
These emails clearly contradict Jane Strauss’ claims that it was Strauss herself orchestrating passage of the final vote count on FAIRGRADE. FAIRGRADE knows, and the emails demonstrate, that Brad Center was the person acting as the School Board whip for the final vote count. It is a shame that Center is now exhibiting “selective memory” during this election in order to assist his vulnerable colleague.
If Jane Strauss were as effective as she alleges, why did it take nearly two years and 10,000 FAIRGRADE supporters to see this grading policy reform accomplished? This issue was a no-brainer that was born in Strauss’ own district. Yet Jane Strauss and some other School Board members sat on the sidelines until change was pretty much forced upon them by the community.
FAIRGRADE and Louise Epstein delivered results for students and taxpayers that mattered. Our students now have increased chances for college admissions and receipt of merit-based scholarships. Louise Epstein’s campaign is about improving our nationally-recognized school system through new and effective leadership that stays ahead of the curve on all issues that impact our students and teachers.
School Board member Jane Strauss’ and Brad Center’s negative attacks on Louise Epstein are unwarranted. This type of negative campaigning does not serve our students, teachers and taxpayers and it should stop now.
Catherine Lorenze
FAIRGRADE Director of Communications
Campaign Manager, Louise Epstein for School Board
Nadja Golding
10:08 pm on Thursday, September 29, 2011
Two years is not very long for a major change in policy.l
Catherine
9:17 am on Friday, September 30, 2011
Ms. Golding, it was two years too long for FCPS students who lost out on valuable merit scholarships and college admissions due to our punitive grading policies at the time. Other school districts in the county moved to the standard 10-point scale within weeks - not years. Yes, two years was too long.
Jennifer Bargerstock
11:57 pm on Thursday, September 29, 2011
Two years is too long when our students are being hurt by policy. Fairgrade opened the doors to more opportunities for our youth and should have happened much earlier. Zero Tolerance is taking too long to protect our innocent children because of lack of support with current leadership. No child in Fairfax County should be ostracized for a mistake - teenagers should be encouraged to LEARN from mistakes, not think it is the end of the road. No child in Fairfax County should be turned away from an activity for lack of facilities. It is time for change. These are my opinions as a private citizen.
DianaJ
1:56 pm on Friday, September 30, 2011
Who is the candidate here? It's starting to look like Catherine Lorenze is the real voice of Louise Epstein.
Robin
12:19 am on Wednesday, October 19, 2011
If Louise doesn't get rid of Catherine soon, her campaign is doomed.
mike
8:00 am on Wednesday, October 19, 2011
FairGrade is done, move on