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Sharp differences and words erupted during a forum this week with the school board candidates running for the Dranesville school board seat — incumbent Jane Strauss and challenger Louise Epstein, a long-time parent advocate.
The two clashed most directly over how the school board should allocate teachers between the schools in the richest part of the county and the rest of the county. Epstein also had sharp words about Strauss' 18-year tenure on the board.
"This year you have a choice between two very different candidates," Epstein told the crowd of nearly 100 gathered in The Grange, the meeting hall in Great Falls.
The Fairfax County School Board allocates teachers based on a needs formula. That formula starts with 26.25 students per elementary school classroom. Then, the board calculates the percentage of students at the school who are eligible for free or reduced lunch and English as a Second Language classes.
Every school in the county, including McLean's elementary schools, have children receiving free or reduced lunches. Fairfax County now has a majority of minority students in the schools.
Epstein disagrees with the formula saying that it leads to larger elementary classes in areas like McLean. Strauss supports the formula because the school system must educate all of its children in order to maintain its standing as one of the premier school districts in the country.
Would you change the funding formula?
Epstein: "You do need to look at putting a cap on those class sizes. ... You can't be in a situation where some of our children are shouldering the burden of large classes for the county."
Strauss: "I do support a weighted formula where students who are poor and have disabilities are given" more teachers. "If we have schools that fail, we all fail."
"I do believe that some schools need more resources," but she also said, "I think I can fix things in the next budget year."
What would you do to make classes smaller in Dranesville schools?
Strauss: "I believe I can make a dramatic change in Dranesville without harming children in other parts of the county."
"I do intend to allocate specific school dollars to bringing down class size," said Strauss, who is president of the school board this year.
Epstein: "Is this something that will last after Nov. 8" Election Day?
Strauss said elementary school classes in Great Falls now averaged in the low 20's.
Epstein said they had grown larger.
Virginia also gives Fairfax County money to reduce class sizes in 32 elementary schools where more than 30 percent of the students receive free meals, explained Kristen Michael, who often explained the schools budget to citizens.
Over the past five years, the school population has grown by 7.6 percent. The percentage of students receiving free lunches has increased to 40 percent, she said.
In this fiscal year, 45,000 students, 25 percent of the county's nearly 180,000 students are eligible for free lunches, she said. That's one of out four, and growing.
At the end of the Great Falls forum Epstein said, "I'm running to change the way our school board does business. Our area has not had an advocate on the school board for years." She attacked Strauss at several points in the forum.
Strauss never returned the attacks. Strauss said at the end, "Good schools take hard work — through good and hard budget times. We have to prepare our children for a global environment. They need to be able to work across cultures... The business community is counting on us to create a system that attracts businesses."
Catherine
8:12 am on Friday, October 28, 2011
Strauss' record and words were legitimately challenged. The real fact is that McLean and Great Falls were among the last in the county to receive Full Day Kindergarten and we do have the highest class sizes in the county with many classes above 30 students. Jane Strauss has not advocated for our community on these issues for 18 years. Suddenly, in an election year when she's vulnerable, she's now promising everything and anything to get elected. Strauss has had 18 years. It's time for a new generation of leadership who will focus on OUR students in Herndon, McLean and Great Falls. Our children deserve equitable resources like decent class size. It's sad that Jane Strauss has to be in a vulnerable election for her to finally "get that." If she's re-elected, we won't be able to count on her to fulfill her growing list of empty campaign promises. Our community deserves and needs better leadership. Louise Epstein has a proven record of delivering for Dranesville students, teachers and taxpayers. She's the better candidate in this election.
robin finnell
9:08 am on Friday, October 28, 2011
It is time for a change this November. I believe the Dranseville district and the rest of Fairfax County will certainly benefit from having Louise Epstein as our new school board representative. She will be an advocate for all of our children and use our $$$ wisely.
J. Jay Volkert
9:24 am on Friday, October 28, 2011
Catherine's statement that Louise Epstein has a proven record of delivering for Dranesville students is misplaced. Jannie Strauss has the proven record. At a time when we will have a board dominated by newly elected members due to retirements, it is important to have the institutional memory that Strauss brings back to the board. The kind of change Epstein represents is pursuit of an aggressive ideological agenda. We don't need that kind of divisive force on the board.
Nancy Trainer
9:48 am on Friday, October 28, 2011
I am saddened to see Louise Epstein's campaign continue the kind of negative, nasty tone they have brought to this School Board race from the beginning. First of all, this is a SCHOOL BOARD race, which our kids are watching. Eye-rolling and sarcasm wouldn't be tolerated by high school debate teams; what kind of example is Louise Epstein setting for our kids when she attacks her opponent this way? The real problem would come for Dranesville if we elect someone who believes this is how a representative should act at ANY time (campaign season or otherwise)... One of the reasons Janie Strauss has been a strong representative for Dranesville is that her fellow School Board members know her to be a person of strong character and moderation, who will listen carefully to opposing views, study the issues, listen to her constituents, and work collaboratively.
Most of what I've heard from Louise Epstein's campaign is simply negative attacks on Janie Strauss, rather than a clear vision for what Ms. Epstein might do if elected. If her tactics are any indication, however, I think she'd be able to accomplish very little if elected. We can all see what rigid, negative campaigns have brought to our federal government: gridlock.
I'm impressed that Janie Strauss was able to stay above the fray and not return Louise's unnecessary attacks. She knows that's how a true representative of our community should act.
Laurie Dodd
7:41 am on Friday, November 4, 2011
Nancy Trainer says, " If [Louise Epstein's] tactics are any indication, however, I think she'd be able to accomplish very little if elected." This is where she is wrong. Louise Epstein is one of the most effective advocates I have ever seen. She was a founding member of FairGrade, which succeeded in putting the GPAs of our students on the same scale used in the rest of the US. She helped identify budgetary moves that enabled the county to pay for Full Day Kindergarten without raising taxes and save indoor winter track. She pushed for reform of the disciplinary process used by the school, supporting a requirement that parents be notified before interrogating a child about a disciplinary issue. If she could help accomplish so much as an outside advocate, imagine what she can do as a member of the School Board! Her effectiveness is a key reason she has been endorsed by both teachers' associations and Fairfax Zero Tolerance Reform. She has done more than spotlight the shortcomings of Jane Strauss' recent school board actions; her advocacy work demonstrates a positive vision of how much BETTER our schools can be.
Nancy Trainer
9:58 am on Friday, November 4, 2011
There's a huge difference between advocacy and governing, and the main difference is that advocates can remain completely uncompromising, those who are setting policy must work collaboratively and build consensus for their ideas. I see absolutely no evidence that Ms. Epstein is capable of doing this.
Advocacy is really important, but the bottom line is that our schools are truly impressive and serve as a national model of public education. This is due in no small part to Janie Strauss' hard work. She has zealously protected funding for arts, sports, and FLES in our schools (despite the recession). She truly led the fight for Full Day Kindergarten. She has shown strong advocacy on boundary issues and on Dranesville's school renovations. She is also (rightly, in my opinion) focused on delivering customized educations so our kids are truly working from a 21st-century educational model. She has done all of this without pitting "at risk" children against children in wealthier districts, without name-calling, without demonizing those who disagree with her.
As for endorsements, over 40 Dranesville educators went out on a limb and publicly broke with their unions to endorse Ms. Strauss:
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=355288&paper=68&cat=110
She has also been endorsed by The Washington Post, and in recent days by Mark Warner and Janet Howell. Her positive approach has won her many friends, and makes her effective.
Kathy Keith
10:36 am on Friday, November 4, 2011
When a candidate is running against an 18 year incumbent, it stands to reason that the incumbent's record would be the issue in the campaign. Unfortunately, it leads to negativity. What would you have Epstein do? Say Janie has been great but I'd be better?
An activist does have to agree and lobby. I'm sure that each person on the Fairgrade group had different ideas of what the grading scale should be.and how it should be implemented.
As far as governing. Can Ms. Trainer give examples of when Ms. Strauss seriously questioned staff on its decisions? I watched many school board meetings and read the minutes of many more. I never saw any indication that Ms. Strauss challenged "Staff" or Dr. Dale. There are also School Board questions to staff documented on the FCPS site. Many school board members ask lots of questions--Mrs. Evans and Mrs. Reed, for example. However, I have had a hard time finding any questions from Ms. Strauss.
I would rather have an activist on the school board rather than a "rubber stamp". Isn't the purpose of the school board to stand up for the students and watch over the money that the taxpayers have given them? FCPS has not had an outside auditor for some time. Do you not think that is questionable?
Our children need a new school board to be sure that our resources are being used in their interests. Ms. Strauss supported Gatehouse 2, enough said.
Nancy Trainer
1:16 pm on Friday, November 4, 2011
Janie Strauss' record is a stellar one, which I've pointed out above. Of course when you run against an incumbent, you question their record. My point is that you can question someone's record without crossing a line into truly nasty, divisive tactics... and that once you've crossed that line, the FCPS School Board is not the place for you. Louise Epstein has provided excellent political theater, but that doesn't necessarily translate into policy once you've been elected and need to garner 7 of 12 votes for anything you'd like to do.
This has nothing to do with party affiliation, or the substance of the policies that the candidate is espousing. It's about how to truly get the job done on the Fairfax County School Board. Last year I watched school board meetings in which Tina Hone "seriously questioned staff." She also folded her arms angrily when answers weren't what she wanted, left the room in a huff of frustration, and on more than one occasion actually cried when her issues weren't gaining traction with her colleagues. I'm sure her constituents felt she was "fighting" for them, but from what I could tell her tactics just isolated her and prevented her from truly accomplishing her goals.
I don't want that for Dranesville. If what you want is EFFECTIVE advocacy, then Janie Strauss has shown she knows how to get the job done. Let's not alienate everyone else on the Board and lose our ability to have influence over the key decisions they make.
Kathy Keith
1:36 pm on Friday, November 4, 2011
Ms. Trainer criticized Ms. Hone in the above comment. I would have to say that Ms. Hone is the one person on the School Board who has used common sense and listened to all sides of an issue. From the time she jointed the School Board, she has listened to all constituents. She has made it clear that her main issue was the minority achievement gap, but she listened also to the unhappy communities who were being redistricted--and she tried to reach compromise for them. She tried to get the divisive Clifton issue delayed until GOOD data could be analyzed--but was shut down by Ms. Strauss, Ms. Smith, et. al.
I agree that Ms. Hone has shown emotion from time to time--but have you ever watched Ms. Smith cry? She has. After observing Ms. Struass and Ms. Smith talk about the children and their "needs" while supporting Gatehouse 2, I can understand her frustration.
Did you read any of the foia's emails? You would see how your friends on the school board bullied Ms. Hone and planned ways to run around her. Is that accountability? Ms. Hone was trying to do things openly and honestly and for the good of ALL the children in FCPS--rich and poor.
I am very sad that Ms. Hone is running again. Most everyone I talk to agrees that she is their favorite School Board member--although Ms. Reed and Ms. Evans are gaining great support, as well.
Sarah O'Neil
9:53 am on Friday, October 28, 2011
We all want the best possible education for our children. This can be accomplished without sacrificing at risk children. Janie Strauss has an all-embracing approach to her job, not an elitist one, and we have all benefited as a result. How did our schools reach their current level of excellence? it wasn't despite Janie Strauss, it was because of her.
Catherine
10:11 am on Friday, October 28, 2011
Janie's all-embracing approach is to take care of everyone else in the county at the expense of her own constituents. We are a decade into the 21st century and she's been in office for nearly 20 years. It's not like she didn't know the 21st century was coming. Why wasn't she preparing our schools for the 21st century years ago? The 21st century classroom at too many of our Dranesville schools is a trailer on the back lot of an elementary school. New blood will get the job done for our teachers and students. It's time for Ms. Strauss to step aside.
Nancy Trainer
11:43 am on Friday, October 28, 2011
There's a reason the Board of Supervisors keeps calling our schools the "crown jewel" of Fairfax, and it's because people like Janie Strauss have protected all our schools -- and all our students -- against narrow-minded policies that pit one group of students (or parents, or teachers) against another. What has Janie Strauss done? She's carefully managed a shrinking FCPS budget -- keeping our tax bills flat, all while closing the achievement gap and accommodating thousands of additional students. Overall student achievement, measured by National Merit scholarships, for example, is at an all-time high in Fairfax County. She's championed such 21st century programs as FLES, ensured that our music and athletic programs don't suffer, fought for STEM, strategies labs, and environmental programs within our schools... Honestly, my kids enjoy a rigorous, well-rounded education here in Fairfax that they couldn't get elsewhere without my paying tuition to a private school. I'm thankful for that!
The very nature of public education is that we stand together with our neighbors and share any "sacrifice" in the name of creating a great community. Classrooms in trailers are hardly a huge sacrifice. Neither are larger-than-average class sizes -- particularly when the education our kids are receiving in those classes is first-rate.
Kathy Keith
12:12 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
I disagree that Strauss has prevented "narrow minded policies that pit one group of students-or parents. or teachers against another".
I have been involved in more than one redistricting where our School Board members support a policy that deliberately pits one group of residents against another. This happened in the West County redistricting and, most recently, in the Clifton Elementary closure. In fact, the "infighting" during the South Lakes redistriciting was used as a "cover" that enabled South County Middle School to get approved "under the radar". (read the FOIA'd emails from Clifton closure. It's in there.)
Strauss supported these policies.
This also is currently occurring with the renovation queue. It also occurred with the SLEEP issue--instead of coming up with a reasonable alternative, FCPS came up with a plan that forced parents of children in athletics to fight against SLEEP-because the alternative presented was so outrageous. The plan also had an outrageous start time for Middle school students.
I agree that classrooms in trailers is not a huge sacrifice--but when the School Board (including Strauss) votes to buy an expensive administration building and puts administrators in a building with a parking lot that has more bells and whistles than a classroom, something is very wrong. I might add that when you are the teacher and students having to duck in and out of thunderstorms from a trailer, you might have a different attitude.
Nancy Trainer
1:39 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
I think the SLEEP issue is truly a tough one that actually does pit one group of parents and kids (athletics boosters) against another (those who need more sleep)! That conflict wasn't manufactured by the School Board... there's really a conflict, there. I was actually impressed by Janie Strauss when I heard her speak on this issue at Haycock Elementary. My impression is that she's listening to both sides and trying to come up with creative solutions, like offering a web-based first period. I don't know if that's the right idea, or how it would work, but it does show a willingness to compromise, and to seek solutions rather than just carp about our problems.
As for the costs of administration in FCPS, you and I will have to agree to disagree, Kathy. I think that's a red herring in this School Board race. The entire budget of "central administration" is nowhere near enough to pay for the pay raises our teachers have foregone (and deserve) and/or lowering class size, let alone the kind of capital expenditures it would take to get all kids in FCPS out of trailers. Moreover, if we have no central administration, those tasks just flow to our principals and teachers, who are already overburdened.
Kathy Keith
2:08 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
Nancy, I was not talking about pay raises for teachers when I spoke about Gatehouse. The Gatehouse building was a capital expense as are classrooms and trailers. I was speaking to a school employee (school-based) the other day, who had visited Gatehouse for the first time. She was stunned at the "bells and whistles" in the building and in the parking garage (no kidding!). To add insult to injury, Strauss and her colleagues voted for Gatehouse 2, as well.
But, since you brought up teachers' salaries, I find it interesting that neither of the teachers' organizations are supporting Strauss. When you couple that with the lack of support from parents' groups, I think that raises a bright red flag.
As for the cost of administration(personnel) in Gatehouse, did you know that FCPS has 17 assistant superintendents? I don't think that is a red herring.
Judy
2:09 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
From what I have gathered at the debates, these are the things Janie Strauss is planning to do IF she is re-elected next week:
get class sizes down.
improve math scores.
start an auditing program.
find more money for the teachers.
listen to parents.
get teachers off pay freezes.
get our kids out of trailers.
put the headquarters administration on a diet.
inform parents when their kids get into trouble before starting interrogation.
de-emphasize SOL scores.
not just do whatever Dale tells her to do.
support Fairgrade.
not support any more Gatehouse projects.
Now I ask, why did it take an election opponent to get Janie Strauss to agree to get some good things done? What has she been doing for the last 18 years? Why should we believe anything will change if she wins re-election? Call me skeptical.
jody bennett
8:29 pm on Saturday, November 5, 2011
Judy, you have a right to be skeptical. I have attended almost every work sessions for 3 years.....even video taped most. I have not seen Strauss take a stand to address many of the issues you raised. In fact, at the recent Great Falls forum, Janie said she was going to address summer school (don't recall if she used the word restore.) Just a few months earlier Tina Hone presented a motion to develop a plan for elementary school intervention (summer school) and it failed with Strauss voting Nay. She voted against early parental notification. She voted to purchase another plush administration building while keeping teacher's salaries frozen. For years and years, she did not propose having an independent auditor reporting to the Board until many of the candidates were making this part of their platform.
Catherine
2:30 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
It's not skepticism Judy. It's an astute observation of Strauss' inability to advocate for McLean, Great Falls and Herndon first. It goes to her roots when she was first appointed in 1995 as an At-Large member. She's never left that mentality. She should have run as an At-Large member, because her claims that she's looking out for us have no supporting facts. The fact is we were the LAST to get Full Day Kindergarten. We have the LARGEST class sizes in the county. She rubber stamps anything the superintendent wants. And to add insult to injurty, she voted against
parental notification so a child can be interrogated without a parent getting a phone call. We are overdue for NEW leadership here!
Judy
2:35 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
Yeah I guess Janie Strauss has really let us down here in Dranesville. Too bad.
Nancy Trainer
2:47 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
Gatehouse is a complicated issue beyond summarizing here. As I understand it, though, many administration buildings were converted back to schoolhouses as enrollment began to balloon, requiring the building of a new structure to house central administration.
This focus on Gatehouse, central administration, and/or certain constituencies that feel minimized miss the point: our schools are amazing, and they require patient, measured stewardship. That's what I've seen from Janie Strauss. What I've seen from her opponent is advocacy without compromise or restraint... and I think particularly today, we can't afford to throw the baby (namely, our great schools) out with the bathwater.
As for teachers' organizations, I find it interesting that both teachers' unions endorsed Louise Epstein and yet I haven't found a single Dranesville-based teacher or principal who voted for that endorsement. As I understand it, less than 10-15% of union members voted for endorsements. That's just "inside baseball," though... and, hey, both candidates have their share of endorsements. Janie Strauss was endorsed by the Washington Post.
This article points out that Louise Epstein hopes to dismantle the needs-based formula which holds FCPS together. Janie Strauss wants to advocate for Dranesville without dismantling the existing system. I hear nothing from Louise Epstein about what she would actually do, only criticism of her opponent. Leaders provide solutions. They don't just point fingers.
Kathy Keith
2:50 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
There is a needs-based formula in ADDITION to federal and state money that goes to needy students. ALL students deserve a basic level of services and class size. When FCPS needs based formula takes away from that basic level and gives extra money to schools that are already receiving extra money, the formula may need to be reevaluated--especially in these economic times. Even wealthy students deserve basic educational services--like classes less than 30 and all day Kindergarten..
Also, how did FCPS suddenly "find" the money to fund full day Kindergarten in the remaining 37 schools? Remember, those 37 schools were left out because of the "needs based" formula. The board could have funded those schools years ago. Even more affluent children sometimes need basic, responsible classroom instruction.
It is interesting that the administration can justify "extra" for the administrators, but somehow cannot apply "needs based" formula to expenses in the schools.
jody bennett
8:59 pm on Saturday, November 5, 2011
Kathy, what I find of interest is that in the beginning of the full day kindergarten push, Rebecca Geller, now Janie's $10,000 consultant had this to say about FDK: “We realize that the economy has collapsed and that there are budgetary constraints,” Geller said. “We do not view a full-day kindergarten as a supplement. It is not an enrichment program this is a basic right.”
And another quote: “This is not an enrichment program,” she said of full day kindergarten. “This is not a supplemental program. This should be a given.”
And a final quote: "In a couple years, Rebecca Geller’s 2-year-old son is slated to attend a half-day kindergarten program at Silverbrook Elementary. She like others at the rally wants full-day kindergarten. She said the issue is one of equality and justice."
Isn't it intresting that such phrases as "FDK is a basic right," "FDK should be a given," and "FDK is one of equality and justice" is totally acceptable, but when some moms would like to see smaller class size for their kids, then what happens? You fill in the blank.
McLean Mom
2:55 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
For the naive reader, Catherine is Louise's campaign manager. Very biased, divisive comments. People (and businesses) move here for the schools. We are seeing some of the worst economic times in our lifetimes, yet the FCPS system remains sound. The district is growing, but overall, the ESOL is growing at an even faster rate. Difficult issues, no doubt.
Judy
5:23 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
Catherine Lorenze is a very nice person who wants to improve our school system in Fairfax County. She has 3 kids in the system herself. Unfortunately, it seems that the only way to make much needed changes in the system is to encourage some of the current School Board members to move on to their next careers. For example, Janie Strauss was appointed to her job 18 years ago. Until now, she has never really had a serious opponent. Apparently, over those many years, she has very few positive accomplishments. I just wonder if this should be her job for life? Is there no one who could possibly do a better job? It seems to me that the School Board is in complete disarray the last couple of years. Maybe voters should consider some new faces.
Catherine
3:24 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
I'm also a taxpaying stakeholder with three kids in the public system McLean Mom.
Judy
3:56 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
I understand that the Strauss campaign is involved in some sort of funding/donation/voting irregularities with an organization called FDK. There have been some large money transfers and voting endorsements. Can someone please explain what is going on?
Judy
11:51 am on Tuesday, November 1, 2011
From what I can tell from Janie Strauss' Virginia State Board of Elections Candidate Campaign Committee Report, Schedule D, Itemization of Expenditures, Strauss has within the last 2 months paid at least $10,000 each to two women, Shaista Keating and Rebecca Geller. These two women are associated with an organization called FDK, which has, in the past, maintained a Facebook page. That organization has made repeated endorsements of Strauss and has apparently encouraged its members to support Strauss with their votes and donations.
This money, at least $20,000, is a very large sum to be paid for an endorsement and perhaps votes. If the payments are legitimate, were they for services renders? If so, what were these very high cost services? Furthermore, from where did the $20,000 originate? Was it taken or borrowed from other donors? What is going on here? Can anyone help out here?
The Code of Virginia Title 24.2 regulates elections
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+TOC2402000
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+24.2-1015
Bob
11:19 pm on Friday, November 4, 2011
Wow - so Strauss is paying off the FDK moms? That seems highly unethical. The FAIRGRADE team did all of their work for free. Does the School Board know about this? Oh, Strauss is the Chairman of the Board. Maybe that makes her above the rules? That must be nice.
Will Radle
6:58 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
I oppose lowering our investment in education, increasing classroom sizes, decreasing library hours and reducing the take home pay of teachers every year for the past three years. The incumbent Fairfax County Chairman has failed.
I stand today to give voice to our community's highest values and to invest in our highest priorities. Vote on Tuesday, November 8.
A. Will Radle, Jr.
Independent Candidate for Chairman,
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
FairfaxAdvocates@gmail.com
http://YouTube.com/WillRadle1
ML
12:18 am on Saturday, October 29, 2011
FCPS has been living off of its reputation for the last 20 years - they aren't as good as they think they are. The suggestion that Janie Strauss is an advocate for change is laughable. FCPS spending is out of control, the lack of focused curricula across all grades, heavy handed administration (zero tolerance anyone?), and a general attitude of "If you don't like it, then put your kid in private school."
Sorry, but as a taxpayer with two kids in FCPS, I expect better. The school board needs to get its act together, and Louise Epstein is sorely needed as someone that can help get this done.
Will Radle
2:11 pm on Sunday, October 30, 2011
Was the incumbent chairman wasting taxpayer money or has she cut essential education funding? Over 52.5 percent of our budget goes to schools. When asked whether the funding of FCPS is the right amount, too much, or too little, none of the SB candidates can answer.
The incumbent Fairfax County Chairman has been the head of the BoS Budget Committee for over 20 years. Our student population has grown by over 12,000 students in the past 4 years with greater diversity including students with special needs. Despite the increased student population, our funding for FCPS is lower than 4 years ago. Again, was she wasting taxpayer money or has she cut essential education funding? Not one SB candidate can answer the question.
Three facts tell the story: while she has been chairman, the number of students has increased per teacher. Every year she has been chairman, the take home pay of teachers has dropped year after year. Nearly half our teachers leave in their first 5 years.
Vote on November 8. Together we will invest in our highest priorities and honor our highest values.
A. Will Radle, Jr.
Independent Candidate for Chairman,
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
FairfaxAdvocates@gmail.com
http://YouTube.com/WillRadle1
Bob
11:13 pm on Friday, November 4, 2011
You all should lay off of Epstein's campaign manager. Janie has her own political hack. Her campaign manager comes out of the political opposition research department at the Ohio State Democratic Committee. So we have a guy from Ohio telling us what's good for our schools here in Virginia. Great. Strauss needs to tell her attack dog campaign manager that we don't like his style of negative campaigning here in Virginia.
jody bennett
9:07 pm on Saturday, November 5, 2011
Bob, this is what Strauss's $10,000 consultant had to say about Full Day Kindergarten. Earlier comments by Geller: “We realize that the economy has collapsed and that there are budgetary constraints,” Geller said. “We do not view a full-day kindergarten as a supplement. It is not an enrichment program this is a basic right.”
And another quote: “This is not an enrichment program,” she said of full day kindergarten. “This is not a supplemental program. This should be a given.”
And a final quote: "In a couple years, Rebecca Geller’s 2-year-old son is slated to attend a half-day kindergarten program at Silverbrook Elementary. She like others at the rally wants full-day kindergarten. She said the issue is one of equality and justice."
Isn't it intresting that such phrases as "FDK is a basic right," "FDK should be a given," and "FDK is one of equality and justice" is totally acceptable, but when some moms would like to see smaller class size for their kids, then what happens?