Stuban is being supported by Lorenze? He just lost my vote if that's the company he's decided to keep to get elected.

I agree Lorenze has created a negative tone that has dominated the race but I think Stuban offers a valuable perspective.

Megan McLaughlin is BFF with Catherine Lorenze and Phyllis Payne, all co-founders of SLEEP. Megan wrote a defense of Payne on Patch and then deleted it the next day after the FCDC saw it. The FCDC is mighty pissed at Megan for working with Lorenze, who continues to manage her campaign. Megan also lost a lot of her Woodson base because of her whisper campaign against Nell Hurley. She knocks on doors and tells people who know better that she was responsible for all kinds of things. And how terrible everything is in the schools because of the evil school board. At our Halloween gathering last night we all had some great laughs at Megan's expense. Now excuse me while I go thank Megan for the sun rising today.

A week to go. Let's see how well the voting electorate is represented by the posters here at FXU. I'm curious if this is site is full of fringe malcontents or a good representation of the voters. It should be interesting.

Can't vote for MM; not with the Lorenze Connection. Will either vote for "No Fatties" Hurley, or just pass on this race.

How quickly the tide turns away from the Tea Party and yet, what options do we have? The Dems have thrown soft balls this election except for Meghan McLaughlin, who I wouldn't vote for since she supports SLEEP.

I like McElveen and Stuban. Both are outsiders. I agree that the problem with Stuban is he took support from Lorenze... Just looking at Velkoff makes me queasy, and Moon has been there too long. The Republican field is a joke.

I was plannig to vote Hurley until I realized that Megan is working with Catherine Lorenze. She is awesome and any candidate she supports has my vote.

Bert Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I was plannig to vote Hurley until I realized that
> Megan is working with Catherine Lorenze. She is
> awesome and any candidate she supports has my
> vote.

:)

+1

Lorenze is an idiot. She doesn't know what the hell she's talking about and she sounds like a dumb bimbo on her clip.

I am a republican and will be voting for McLaughlin. Both have come to my door and passed out their flyer. Difference is, Meghan stayed and asked me questions and answered all of my questions with honesty. I am a teacher and will be voting for her. This is the first time in my life that I will be voting for a democrat, but she made a great first impression and after researching on both candidates, i feel she is the best candidate.

Republican Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am a republican and will be voting for
> McLaughlin. Both have come to my door and passed
> out their flyer. Difference is, Meghan stayed and
> asked me questions and answered all of my
> questions with honesty. I am a teacher and will
> be voting for her. This is the first time in my
> life that I will be voting for a democrat, but she
> made a great first impression and after
> researching on both candidates, i feel she is the
> best candidate.

You are likely not telling the truth, just like the candidate you favor. But just to humor you,

What questions did you ask?

How did Megan answer?

Regarding who did what to defeat the bus depot at Woodson, it was a community effort and there waa a committe comprised of interested parents and community leaders - all contributed equally. I was a member of the committee, as were Nell and Megan. There also was no real head of the committee, everybody pitched in to get the job done. I can understand how Nell and Megan want to take credit because of the election, but it would be nice if they would acknowledge the hard work of others. However, give both Nell and Megan credit for joining the committee and having the common sense to recognize that the location chosen for the bus depot was a bad idea.

My hope is for a School Board that will use good judgement and common sense in its decisions for ALL students in FCPS-poor and wealthy, and, lets not forget-for we often do-those in the middle.

My hope is for a School Board that will not pit one geographical community against another in order to make its boundary decisions. For that is what our current School Board has done.
1. The scope is determined by Staff.
2. It is announced by the school board.
3. Meetings are held with the community.
4. Proposals are made by staff. Then, communities organize against each other.
5. More options are presented. Usually, a couple of ridiculous options so that more communities vote for one --the one that doesn't affect them.
6. SB meetings are held--public testimony is given by very unhappy parents.
7. School board votes on the option that staff gave them before it ever started with a few caveats to be sure that one board member doesn't lose too many votes. Usually, a board member will pony up a few votes from the edge of his/her district.

You can use the above pattern and apply it to any issue brought before the board--school closures also apply. (ex. West Springfield community vs Clifton--engineered by a board member.)

Sleep initiative followed similar pattern. The option suggested was so ridiculous that it mobilized Middle school parents and athletes' families. Then School board can say it listened to the community.

My hope is for a school board that uses common sense in changing policy.
Fairgrade required activism when it should have been pursued and studied by staff and School board. However, when it was initially presented to school board members, it was resisted.

All Day K should have been in all schools years ago. I cannot help but think that the only reason we got it this year is because it is an election year. Of course, it was orchestrated by SB members to get more money from BOS. Please notice how all incumbents are taking credit for it.

My hope is for a School Board that will put students (and their teachers) before Gatehouse and cluster staff.

My hope is for a School Board who will question staff when the answers don't make sense. (Have you ever read the answers to the questions from the Board members that are on the sB site? Staff is not very open minded about change.

My hope is for a School Board that won't assume that pouring money into a school is a "fix all" but will evaluate the programs.

My hope is for a School board that will acknowledge that the parent is the most important influence in a student's life--not the school, and that the parent MUST be notified before life changing decisions are made in the discipline process. Common sense must be applied.

My hope is for a School Board who will relook at the way capital expenditures are made. Is it really necessary to purchase extravagant buildings for Staff? Is it really necessary to have gorgeous school buildings, when safety and function are enough? Remember what the goal is: to educate every child in Fairfax County in the best way possible for that child. The goal is not to impress people or win design awards.


Consider your candidates carefully, If you think an incumbent has used good judgement, then, by all means, support him/her. If not, then give someone else a chance to look at things with fresh eyes. As a former teacher, I have to say that being a teacher does not always qualify one for School board. Common sense is what we need. The School Board is not PTA--it has a $2.2 billion budget--it is not just deciding which reading program should be used. If the Board has common sense it will listen to the teachers and the community.

For my district, I am voting against my incumbent. I don't think good judgement and common sense have been demonstrated by my incumbent candidate. I will carefully choose my At Large candidates, too. If you don't have an incumbent in your district, then choose the person with the most common sense from your point of view.

Let's hope Abe Jeffers at Lee is not teaching IB English classes!!




A PRINCIPAL’S THOUGHTS ON SCHOOL BOARD:
You may already know that all twelve FCPS School Board members are elected every four years. Nine represent the Fairfax magisterial districts and three are elected at large. They are paid $20,000 per year to set school policies within the framework of the Virginia Board of Education and ensure the proper administration of the school division program.

This year, six of the board members chose not to seek re-election so there are six open races. The remaining six are in contested races. A lot of people are running for school board. It is important to our school and our school community that we are well represented on the Board.
What makes a good School Board member? I’ve been giving that some thought.

It would seem that a good board member should be well rounded in their education and background. It would seem they should be a product of public schools. It would seem they should be aware of the structures of the county, state and federal organizations in which the school board operates. It would seem they should have some familiarity with the day to day operations of schools at all levels. It would seem they should be mindful of the interactions between the many sub systems of the school system. It would seem they should be more generalist than specialist. It would seem they should not easily be politically or ideologically labeled. It would seem they should be an established member of the county. It would seem that they should have the ability to listen and discern. It would seem that they should be willing to work with others in the best interest of our students. It would seem that they should be vested in maintaining FCPS’ record as a world leader in education. It would seem that they should be asking questions of teachers, administrators, students and parents to learn about how we can make our great schools even greater.

It is most important that we vote for and elect good school board members. Five school board districts interact with Lee’s attendance boundaries and there are three at large seats. I hope you will take the time to educate yourself on the candidates and vote on November 8th.

Dear Hope,

Good post and worthy of a +1. One clarification though. The following stamement needs some clarification.

"You can use the above pattern and apply it to any issue brought before the board--school closures also apply. (ex. West Springfield community vs Clifton--engineered by a board member.)"

This is only partially true. Clifton thought the WS community was against them. We were not and I think we have made it abundantly clear. FIOA emails revealed coaching of the SOAR group by our SB member. I do not know the members of SOAR as I am not one, but I suspect there are few. Once that was revealed the West Springfield community made it very clear to all involved that we were NOT in support of any effort to close Clifton ES. Those of us who have been around almost forever have known the kind of person our SB member is ever since she tried to put SCSS, in West Springfield. She told anyone who opposed her in the meetings to "get out."

Thanks for the information, Spartan. I must have read some of the emails and jumped to conclusions. I do not live in Springfield district. I am happy to be corrected.

HST Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Regarding who did what to defeat the bus depot at
> Woodson, it was a community effort and there waa a
> committe comprised of interested parents and
> community leaders - all contributed equally. I
> was a member of the committee, as were Nell and
> Megan. There also was no real head of the
> committee, everybody pitched in to get the job
> done. I can understand how Nell and Megan want to
> take credit because of the election, but it would
> be nice if they would acknowledge the hard work of
> others. However, give both Nell and Megan credit
> for joining the committee and having the common
> sense to recognize that the location chosen for
> the bus depot was a bad idea.

Yes, it was a group effort, and it was interesting to see how different people approached the situation. Some were data gatherers, going out to count the buses at Eleven Oaks and look at their destination placards to show that Tessie's statement that they were Woodson buses was a lie. Megan seemed to think that forming an advocacy group and getting press coverage was the answer, but in the end offered up the athletic field behind Frost next to the houses as the answer. Nell gathered the community together, including the retirees who only come to Woodson for concerts, and let them listen to the proposal from FCPS staff. Then she worked with John Cook, the planning commission, and VDOT, which led to the infamous letter that expensive intersection improvements would be required, which caused Fairfax City to withdraw the proposal based on facts and merits.

Spartan,

So wrong...our SB member kept us informed and told us what was taking place she also told us she had to do what was best for all.

You keep writing lies. The emails demonstrate disclosure to both communities--SB members can discuss advocacy and assist--show me the job discrition where it states otherwise.

You are a Spartan with a grudge and those of us in OH know who you are. You are not credible.

The SOAR group cast the WSHS community in a very bad light.

Its nice to hear AFTER THE DAMAGE WAS DONE, that not everyone supported the nasty campaign to close Clifton, but what evidence do you have to show you said something back when it mattered?

HST Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Regarding who did what to defeat the bus depot at
> Woodson, it was a community effort and there waa a
> committe comprised of interested parents and
> community leaders - all contributed equally. I
> was a member of the committee, as were Nell and
> Megan. There also was no real head of the
> committee, everybody pitched in to get the job
> done. I can understand how Nell and Megan want to
> take credit because of the election, but it would
> be nice if they would acknowledge the hard work of
> others. However, give both Nell and Megan credit
> for joining the committee and having the common
> sense to recognize that the location chosen for
> the bus depot was a bad idea.


Neither Meghan nor her supporters ever once claimed full responsibility for the bus depot fiasco.

It was Hurley supporters who wanted people to think Nell did it on her own.

Facts straight please Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> Neither Meghan nor her supporters ever once
> claimed full responsibility for the bus depot
> fiasco.
>
> It was Hurley supporters who wanted people to
> think Nell did it on her own.

Neither Nell nor Megan claims full responsibility for the win over Dean Tisdadt, as the battle was fought from many different angles. Nell's just happened to be the one that worked first. Frankly, I think we were all surprised when Fairfax City withdrew from the fight so quickly and definitively. The buses still sit at Eleven Oaks.

Republican Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am a republican and will be voting for
> McLaughlin. Both have come to my door and passed
> out their flyer. Difference is, Meghan stayed and
> asked me questions and answered all of my
> questions with honesty. I am a teacher and will
> be voting for her. This is the first time in my
> life that I will be voting for a democrat, but she
> made a great first impression and after
> researching on both candidates, i feel she is the
> best candidate.

I am the lunatic Right-wing fringe 1%. I make good money, am very religious, think marriage is one man+one woman - the works.

Megan is my choice. I heard Nell speak. That did it. The Washington Post article sealed the deal.

So, based on the overwhelming support on this thread, McLaughlin should walk away with this election. It will be interesting to see if this was a handful (or less) of McLaughlin's supporters trying to gin up a facade of invincibility or if she truly is the juggernaut of a candidate. I have no dog in this fight but think the results will speak volumes about the value of this site on gauging the mood of the electorate.

I wonder whether McLaughlin would have run such a nasty campaign if she was not coached by Lorenze, or is that just the way she is?

The SOAR folks could NOT have made themselves look sillier during boundary studies a few years back. And then to be used as her own personal rubes by Bradsher just made it all the more fun to watch. I'd have considered them to be elitists if they didn't live in West Springfield. I mean....really...you live in WEST Springfield and fancy yourself and your school as better than others.....really?

Lorenze candidates (from her website):

Braddock District – Megan McLaughlin

Dranesville District – Louise Epstein

Mason District – Sandy Evans

Providence District – Patty Reed

Springfield District – Elizabeth Schultz

Sully District – Sheila Ratnam

At-Large: Sheree Brown-Kaplan

At-Large: Lolita Mancheno-Smoak

At-Large: Steve Stuban

I'll bet some would be surprised to see Catherine listing their names.

The reason Hurley is runnig such a nasty, and stupid campaign, is becasue Hurley herself is nasty and stupid.

Appears Megan has gone into hiding. After speaking in support of Catherine Lorenze in the Washingotn Post, and commenting on the article, she was asked this question:

Ms. McLaughlin, In a previous post you said " I advocate for smaller class sizes, and believe it can be accomplished by having budget priorities that focus on the classroom". What are those budget priorities that focus on the classroom? This is the third time I have asked you this question. Your lack of a response is no different than the current school board members who you like to criticize. Were you just saying something that sounded good and have nothing to back it up with? Has Ms. Lorenze not told you how to respond to this? Is this how you will treat the Braddock district residents (of which I am one) if you are elected? Do you think you do not need to respond to their concerns because you will be "king" made by the "kingmaker"? I am glad I found this out before election day.

If you happen to see Megan outside without a handler, please ask her this question and post the answer here. Thank you.

The front-page article in The Washington Post about Catherine Lorenze unfairly implies that the candidates she volunteers for are merely echoing messages she has crafted. I have worked with Catherine as a member of the Fairfax Education Coalition (FEC) and I know from first-hand experience that she often has good advice about how to edit statements so that they are clear and direct. Three of the most active members of FEC are also candidates in the school board election. Megan McLaughlin, Louise Epstein, and Elizabeth Schultz are responsible for their own opinions and statements and nobody who knows them would accuse them of echoing anyone.

This election is about judging the candidates, not Catherine. If she is willing to give some free advice to some candidates, there is a benefit in listening to what she has to say. However, the candidates make all the key decisions about their own campaigns.

Looks like stupid Nell Hurley has gone into hiding after a series of brainless remarks. The most devastating, and hilarious, was her ludicrous and bigoted comment about overweight professionals. Is Nell really that stupid and that much of a coward

Where is Nell? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Looks like stupid Nell Hurley has gone into
> hiding after a series of brainless remarks. The
> most devastating, and hilarious, was her ludicrous
> and bigoted comment about overweight
> professionals. Is Nell really that stupid and that
> much of a coward

Really, Catherine. Isn't it past your bedtime? Or are you working on one of your collages? Can't wait to see you at the meeting tonight!

Really, Nell. Isn't it past your bedtime? Or are you working on one of your collages? Can't wait to see you at the meeting tonight!

Just read a comment from Greg Brandon on "Patch". He mentioned that Dale has meetings with SB members separately to set policy and avoid Sunshine Laws.

Question: Is this true? If it is,how could any SB member think that is the right thing to do--and why didn't they stop it? And, how could we reelect any SB member who goes along with this?

Virginia S Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This election is about judging the candidates, not
> Catherine. If she is willing to give some free
> advice to some candidates, there is a benefit in
> listening to what she has to say. However, the
> candidates make all the key decisions about their
> own campaigns.

It is about judging the candidates. And I will judge them as fucking idiots if they take advice from Lorenze, especially if they let her claim thousands worh of in-kind contributions for those services, like Stuban and Smoak.

Virginia S Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The front-page article in The Washington Post
> about Catherine Lorenze unfairly implies that the
> candidates she volunteers for are merely echoing
> messages she has crafted. I have worked with
> Catherine as a member of the Fairfax Education
> Coalition (FEC) and I know from first-hand
> experience that she often has good advice about
> how to edit statements so that they are clear and
> direct. Three of the most active members of FEC
> are also candidates in the school board election.
> Megan McLaughlin, Louise Epstein, and Elizabeth
> Schultz are responsible for their own opinions and
> statements and nobody who knows them would accuse
> them of echoing anyone.
>
> This election is about judging the candidates, not
> Catherine. If she is willing to give some free
> advice to some candidates, there is a benefit in
> listening to what she has to say. However, the
> candidates make all the key decisions about their
> own campaigns.

did Epstein repudiate Lorenze's remark that the poor kids on Route 1 "make out like bandits"?

Make no mistake, Lorenze is a "GOP strategist" and her efforts are nothing more than an attempted GOP takeover of the school board.

She just seems to me to be a professional agitator; always embattled, even as a home room mom and PTA member.

I liked the closing paragraph in the Post article:
"Lorenze said she never considered running for the School Board herself. She
prefers campaigning to governing and can’t imagine collaborating with the administrators she has criticized for years.

“For me to have to work with them would drive me crazy,” she said. “I like the kingmaking. It’s more fun.”

a burr under the saddle of those who actually have to make hard decisions in running one of the largest and best school districts in the country.

If I didn't feel that way, I would pull my kids out and put them in private school.

Thanks heavems for the influence and strategies of catherine Lorenze. Her candidates are in ideal position to put a waxing on her opponents. After this election she will be known in Fairfax as "Catherine the Great". God bless Catherine Lorenze.

a question about Dale Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Just read a comment from Greg Brandon on "Patch".
> He mentioned that Dale has meetings with SB
> members separately to set policy and avoid
> Sunshine Laws.
>
> Question: Is this true? If it is,how could any SB
> member think that is the right thing to do--and
> why didn't they stop it? And, how could we reelect
> any SB member who goes along with this?

Every government agency that I know that's subject to a Sunshine Law follows this practice. The laws typically provide that meetings where official business is conducted, and where a quorum of officials are present, must be open to the public. They don't prevent one-on-one discussions between officials and staff members of an agency, even if those discussions inform later decisions.

Sorry if that's news to you, but that's the balance that the laws strike. They aren't intended to require officials to schedule public meetings every time they want to talk to people in their agency.

Does a candidate's absence from the filing databases mean anything?

http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Campaign_Finance_Disclosure/CF_Reports/CFDataExtractsA.aspx

http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Campaign_Finance_Disclosure/View_Disclosure_Reports/CF_Reports_Cidate.asp?optSearch=Candidate


I can find a lot of info for Epstein, Strauss, Hurley, Velkoff, etc.

But none for Moon, McGlaughlin,

Who is paying for all those signs?

Btrew Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks heavems for the influence and strategies of
> catherine Lorenze. Her candidates are in ideal
> position to put a waxing on her opponents. After
> this election she will be known in Fairfax as
> "Catherine the Great". God bless Catherine
> Lorenze.

This is Exhibit A for why any candidate she supports is bad news. "Her candidates" WTF

Perfect example of the nastiness and uglinesss Strauss encourages. WTF

RoboRyan - what he said today:

“I’m Ryan McElveen, running for School Board At-Large. I’m running a common-sense campaign to rein in the out-of-control spending in our schools. A vote for me on Tuesday will mean implementing common-sense solutions, like an independent auditor to ensure your tax dollars are spent on students, and the countywide redistricting commission to ensure our schools are community schools. Please go to Ryan for school board dot com for more information about my campaign.”


Lyin' RoboRyan - what he said before:

http://reston.patch.com/articles/the-at-large-race-ryan-mcelveen

Is FCPS underfunded, overfunded, or properly funded at the current level? Explain.

"FCPS is properly funded, but as our student population increases, school funding should increase proportionately. We cannot expect to provide the same quality education when our schools are bursting at the seams, our students are forced to eat lunch on hallway floors and our teachers face stagnant salaries. This is why voters should vote to approve the school bond and elect leaders who will fight during the budget process to ensure our schools receive necessary funding and avoid candidates who pledge not to raise taxes. The simple fact is the School Board doesn’t set tax rates."

Can't have it both ways, pal. And nice pick up on that independent audit line, think we have heard that before somewhere.

sounds like a call to republicans....maybe he hopes they'll buy it. Don't see much contradiction though...you can need more money and still be pissing away what is there now. He's also one of all 7 of them saying audit every five seconds. Maybe the nect call he'll claom he's a tea partyer. Then it's time to worry.

http://fairfaxzerotolerancereform.org/

Strongly suggest everyone go to this link and read about the candidates. Click on the link for your candidate to see how they responded.

interviews with candidates Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> http://fairfaxzerotolerancereform.org/
>
> Strongly suggest everyone go to this link and read
> about the candidates. Click on the link for your
> candidate to see how they responded.


Oh God, not another Catherine Lorenze-like group. Ugh.

"The following SB members decided not to trust parents as partners in educating their own children: Jim Rainey (At Large), Liz Bradsher (Springfield), Tessie Wilson (Braddock), Brad Center (Lee), Stu Gibson (Hunter Mill), Kathy Smith (Sully), and Janie Strauss (Dranesville). Smith, Strauss, (and possibly Bradsher) are seeking re-election and must be challenged for taking this stand against their constituents. "

Just because they don't do exactly what you demand does not make them evil.

Give it a break already. Regardless of who is elected, ZTR is going to happen, just like an auditor function and the retirement of Jack Dale. Even Nick Stuben's dad is losing patience with those of you who want to make every issue a political fight to the death.

Hemmingway and her gang of intolerance think they speak for all the rest of us parents. THEY DON'T.

We are sick of these all too egotistical opinionated parents that have an issue with the system because their kid did SOMETHING WRONG and now they want pay back on the BACK of our kids.

Leave us alone! ZTR and all the rest of their little advocacy subsidiaries amount to the same people and the same cries. All are in with Lorenze including Megan, who claims she is not but who Catherine says is her best friend. Well what is it Megan? And Schultz is a hot bag of wind who doesn't understand crap about the system. She talks about her 4 kids but who is home watching them while she is out to all these functions? Isn't she a wonderful parent?

COME ON---don't you think we see who you all really are and how truly intolerant you ALL really are?

Lorenze is ugly, she is mean, she is venom, she disgusts those of us who care about our schools. It is a power game with her and for her---nothing more. She doesn't care about the kids just about her. MEAN GIRLS NEVER WIN---THEY SLITHER AWAY.

"And Schultz is a hot bag of wind who doesn't understand crap about the system. She talks about her 4 kids but who is home watching them while she is out to all these functions? Isn't she a wonderful parent?"

Hmm, that's a two parent home. Not an uncommon concept.I guess you have a problem with working moms.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcJ4Y1jqNmE

This says it all.

Speak for yourself "Old Lady", I care that kids are being abused, even your kids, and it isn't bad kids - its any human being in this corrupt system, anybody's kids can be entrapped and ensnared in zero tolerance, you really don't get it. Just to let you know, it isn't my own kids-because all of you care only about your own, thats why it is not a community. Zero tolerance reduces every living human being in this system to a potential innocent victim.

you are idiots Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
Zero tolerance reduces every living
> human being in this system to a potential innocent
> victim.


Doesn't mean Lorenze should use this as a chance to pump up her career as a professional agitator/"communications consultant". It's possible to advocate for change without being a total sleezebag. Just look at how much she values her own services on her candidates' campaign finance forms...all that money just for logging in as XXXschoolMom on this site every five minutes.

Typical Strauss sleazebag.

Why is the Keating woman who said we have to remember in November the school board people who voted for full day kindergarten now being paid by Jane Strauss' campaign?
Isn't this basically buying votes?

http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Campaign_Finance_Disclosure/View_Disclosure_Reports/CF_Reports_Results.asp?SUWVVal=CandidateView&RepYearVal=2011&tCNVal=&tCCVal=&tCSVal=&tCZVal=&tCOVal=&tCBDVal=&tCEDVal=&tCAFVal=&tCATVal=&tCCSOptVal=EqualTo&CandVal=1914&CommVal=&RDVa


CC20110008 Keating Shaista 9417 Eagle Trace - Fairfax Station - VA - 22039 consuting services Janie Strauss 10/5/2011 10000
CC20110008 Keating Shaista 9417 Eagle Trace - Fairfax Station - VA - 22039 supplies Janie Strauss 10/8/2011 500
Data Specified
Report Year : 2011





Candidates : Strauss Jane "Janie" K
Report Codes : CC20110008(0)

Is it true that Catherine Lorenze named her daughter after Chloe Sevigny.

Chloe Sevigny is not a good role model.

HAS LORENZE NO SHAME!!!

God Bless Catherine "The Great" Lorenze!

you are idiots Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Speak for yourself "Old Lady", I care that kids
> are being abused, even your kids, and it isn't bad
> kids - its any human being in this corrupt system,
> anybody's kids can be entrapped and ensnared in
> zero tolerance, you really don't get it. Just to
> let you know, it isn't my own kids-because all of
> you care only about your own, thats why it is not
> a community. Zero tolerance reduces every living
> human being in this system to a potential innocent
> victim.
+1

Gallo Vincent Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> God Bless Catherine "The Great" Lorenze!

+100

Why is the Keating woman who said we have to remember in November the school board people who voted for full day kindergarten now being paid by Jane Strauss' campaign?
Isn't this basically buying votes?

http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Campaign_Finance_Disclosure/View_Disclosure_Reports/CF_Reports_Results.asp?SUWVVal=CandidateView&RepYearVal=2011&tCNVal=&tCCVal=&tCSVal=&tCZVal=&tCOVal=&tCBDVal=&tCEDVal=&tCAFVal=&tCATVal=&tCCSOptVal=EqualTo&CandVal=1914&CommVal=&RDVa


CC20110008 Keating Shaista 9417 Eagle Trace - Fairfax Station - VA - 22039 consuting services Janie Strauss 10/5/2011 10000
CC20110008 Keating Shaista 9417 Eagle Trace - Fairfax Station - VA - 22039 supplies Janie Strauss 10/8/2011 500
Data Specified
Report Year : 2011

waiting for an answer on this

It might be difficult for you Epstein supporters to imagine, but it might just be that the folks involved in FDK were really impressed by Janie Strauss' work on the matter, and now are working for her to succeed. There's no scandal here; there's no "vote-buying." You're just throwing mud against people who stand up for their friends. Shame on you.

hmmmm Silly season - FAIRGRADE volunteers did all their work for free - for two years no less. And I don't see them "charging" school board members 10K for their "volunteer" efforts. Yes, it smells bad. The FDK thing was probably a set-up from the beginning to give the incumbents an issue to run on.

HST Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Regarding who did what to defeat the bus depot at
> Woodson, it was a community effort and there waa a
> committe comprised of interested parents and
> community leaders - all contributed equally. I
> was a member of the committee, as were Nell and
> Megan. There also was no real head of the
> committee, everybody pitched in to get the job
> done. I can understand how Nell and Megan want to
> take credit because of the election, but it would
> be nice if they would acknowledge the hard work of
> others. However, give both Nell and Megan credit
> for joining the committee and having the common
> sense to recognize that the location chosen for
> the bus depot was a bad idea.

Just wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the folks that defeated the Woodson bus depot. Had that depot been built, I would have lost about $10K per year in pay if it had been built!

You see, to save money, FCPS tries to have drivers park their buses as close to where their runs are as possible (and they don't give a shit how far a driver has to commute to get to their bus).

I live in Woodbridge and my bus is parked in the southern part of FFX county (close to my home), but I drive in the northern part of the county, 25+ miles each way, which with traffic is good for 12-15 hours a week in extra pay. Plus, I'm burning the county's diesel fuel instead of my own gas!

If they had moved my parking location to Woodson, as they said they would, the huge pay cut would have forced me to quit.

For me, and the scores of other drivers in same situation, thanks again to all that defeated the Woodson bus depot!

To anyone that lives near ANY proposed bus depot, FIGHT IT. You don't want all that noise so early and you will be preserving many drivers' paychecks!

If there's no "vote-buying", then please explain why Strauss paid this woman $10,500 and then Keating sent an email to her FDK group to "remember" those school board members that voted to establish FDK in every FCPS.

This is what kills me about FDK - this issue is FINALLY resolved during an election year when they've had years to correct this inequity and now the incumbent school board members want to claim that they worked so hard on this issue. Bullshit! This was nothing more than strategic timing on their part.

Shaista Keating lives (or did before Bradsher moved) in Bradsher's neighborhood. Coincidence that this issue came about when so many people were pissed at the school board for various injustices, perceived or otherwise? Not hardly. The school board needed to get back in the good graces of the public so they chose to resurrect an issue that they KNEW would gain support from every stakeholder in the county. This was a ruse, nothing more. Don't fall for it. If they suddenly "found" the money to fund FDK now, when we're facing enormous budget issues, they could have done it a few years ago. It wasn't important then because they weren't facing an election in the fall.

Instead of "remembering" the school board members that voted in favor of FDK in all schools (like any of them would have voted against it at this point, HA!), let's remember that it shouldn't have taken a parent advocacy group fighting for this to get it resolved.

bus driver Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> HST Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Regarding who did what to defeat the bus depot
> at
> > Woodson, it was a community effort and there waa
> a
> > committe comprised of interested parents and
> > community leaders - all contributed equally. I
> > was a member of the committee, as were Nell and
> > Megan. There also was no real head of the
> > committee, everybody pitched in to get the job
> > done. I can understand how Nell and Megan want
> to
> > take credit because of the election, but it
> would
> > be nice if they would acknowledge the hard work
> of
> > others. However, give both Nell and Megan
> credit
> > for joining the committee and having the common
> > sense to recognize that the location chosen for
> > the bus depot was a bad idea.
>
> Just wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude to
> all the folks that defeated the Woodson bus depot.
> Had that depot been built, I would have lost
> about $10K per year in pay if it had been built!
>
> You see, to save money, FCPS tries to have drivers
> park their buses as close to where their runs are
> as possible (and they don't give a shit how far a
> driver has to commute to get to their bus).
>
> I live in Woodbridge and my bus is parked in the
> southern part of FFX county (close to my home),
> but I drive in the northern part of the county,
> 25+ miles each way, which with traffic is good
> for 12-15 hours a week in extra pay. Plus, I'm
> burning the county's diesel fuel instead of my own
> gas!
>
> If they had moved my parking location to Woodson,
> as they said they would, the huge pay cut would
> have forced me to quit.
>
> For me, and the scores of other drivers in same
> situation, thanks again to all that defeated the
> Woodson bus depot!
>
> To anyone that lives near ANY proposed bus depot,
> FIGHT IT. You don't want all that noise so early
> and you will be preserving many drivers'
> paychecks!


Not too worried about your paychecks, but the noise and pollution is enough reason to fight. I pay taxes to provide safe transportation that gets our kids to school. They should do it as efficiently and effectively as possible. If some drivers get a haircut in the process, so be it. Maybe you should look at driving for PWC schools and not commuting all over FFX County while trying to stick it to the FFX tax payers.

http://www.farmteam.org/candidates/janie-strauss/
The Farm Team Endorses Long-Term Fairfax County School Board Member Janie Strauss for Re-Election
Citing her distinguished and exemplary 18-year service on the Fairfax County School Board, Dranesville District, The Farm Team is proud to endorse Janie Strauss for re-election. Ms. Strauss also has been endorsed by U. S. Congressman Gerry Connolly, who says “Janie Strauss is a proven leader with a clear road map to take Fairfax students into the 21st century. She has championed academic success for all students. Janie’s leadership and budget expertise helped steer our schools through the recession without compromising academic excellence. She has made every tax dollar count. Chairman Strauss deserves to be re-elected.”
In her many years of service to the students and families of the Dranesville District, Ms. Strauss has:
• Focused resources on student learning, to include producing a record number of National Merit Scholars and narrowing the minority student achievement gap.
• Brought full-day kindergarten to all Dranesville schools.
• Maintained student programs that have kept Fairfax County schools on top nationwide despite the current economic recession
• Reduced and reorganized central offices.
• Ended the pay freeze for teachers and staff.
• Made common sense changes to discipline practices.
• Delivered additional support to Herndon Schools through the Priority Schools Initiative.
• Established an independent School Board Audit Committee to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of school operations.
• Accelerated and completed crucial renovations at District schools.
• Accommodated 12,000 additional students while keeping taxes flat.
• Sustained the high quality of Fairfax County in an effort to bring world-class businesses to Fairfax County, such as Volkswagen of America, Hilton Worldwide, SAIC and Northrop Grumman.
Ms. Strauss has served ten terms as School Board Budget Chair, during which time she expanded the School Board Audit Committee to enable good governance. She worked to cut central office expenses to direct resources to classrooms and fought to end a two-year salary freeze in order to retain the best teachers. In addition, Ms. Strauss believes in delivering a rigorous, well-rounded education to all students. She has focused on a core curriculum and feels strongly that this must be balanced with an inter-disciplinary edge in order to prepare our students for the 21st century.
In addition, Ms. Strauss is dedicated to delivering customized education by enabling school-specific projects such as think tanks, strategies labs, a special focus on STEM and environmental awareness initiatives; preserving music and arts in the schools; maintaining foreign language instruction; and funding Fairfax County schools’ athletic programs and reducing athletic fees.
The Farm Team believes Janie Strauss deserves to continue representing the Dranesville District on the Fairfax County School Board, and is very pleased to support her campaign for re-election. For more information on Ms. Strauss, please go to her website www.janiestrauss.com.

GomerFetusGoob Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Not too worried about your paychecks, but the
> noise and pollution is enough reason to fight. I
> pay taxes to provide safe transportation that gets
> our kids to school. They should do it as
> efficiently and effectively as possible. If some
> drivers get a haircut in the process, so be it.
> Maybe you should look at driving for PWC schools
> and not commuting all over FFX County while trying
> to stick it to the FFX tax payers.

They really, really do try to do it as efficiently and effectively as possible, but the dearth of bus parking forces a lot of inefficiencies.

Nobody, including school principals, wants bus parking in or near their neighborhood or school (Thank God!), but you have to park them somewhere.

Nobody is trying to "stick it to the taxpayers", it's just the reality of the situation.

As far as going to work for PWC, why would anybody walk away from years of seniority and place on the salary scale to start over at square one in PWC? That's just plain stupid.

• Focused resources on student learning, to include producing a record number of National Merit Scholars and narrowing the minority student achievement gap.
***comment: meanwhile, students are being tested by "portfolio" to make scores look better for FCPS. NOVA has tons of remediation courses for FCPS graduates.
• Brought full-day kindergarten to all Dranesville schools.
***comment: This was forced by the BOS after School Board had delayed it for YEARS.
• Maintained student programs that have kept Fairfax County schools on top nationwide despite the current economic recession
***Meanwhile, we cut HONORS classes.
• Reduced and reorganized central offices.
***Don't be so sure about this. Many people are counted as "school based" who hardly walk in a school.
• Ended the pay freeze for teachers and staff.
***In an election year
• Made common sense changes to discipline practices.
***After two suicides and outrage from the community. Strauss still votes against notifying parents prior to interrogation.
• Delivered additional support to Herndon Schools through the Priority Schools Initiative.
***And "protects" Langley
• Established an independent School Board Audit Committee to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of school operations.
***We surely haven't seen any results here. What does "independent" mean. We need an outside audit.
• Accelerated and completed crucial renovations at District schools.
***Voted to close one of the highest achieving schools in FCPS(Clifton) and one of the most successful "poor" schools (Graham Road) against the desires of each community.
• Accommodated 12,000 additional students while keeping taxes flat.
***School board members do not have tax authority.
• Sustained the high quality of Fairfax County in an effort to bring world-class businesses to Fairfax County, such as Volkswagen of America, Hilton Worldwide, SAIC and Northrop Grumman.
***Smoke and mirrors.
.

so explain Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If there's no "vote-buying", then please explain
> why Strauss paid this woman $10,500 and then
> Keating sent an email to her FDK group to
> "remember" those school board members that voted
> to establish FDK in every FCPS.
>
> This is what kills me about FDK - this issue is
> FINALLY resolved during an election year when
> they've had years to correct this inequity and now
> the incumbent school board members want to claim
> that they worked so hard on this issue. Bullshit!
> This was nothing more than strategic timing on
> their part.
>
> Shaista Keating lives (or did before Bradsher
> moved) in Bradsher's neighborhood. Coincidence
> that this issue came about when so many people
> were pissed at the school board for various
> injustices, perceived or otherwise? Not hardly.
> The school board needed to get back in the good
> graces of the public so they chose to resurrect an
> issue that they KNEW would gain support from every
> stakeholder in the county. This was a ruse,
> nothing more. Don't fall for it. If they
> suddenly "found" the money to fund FDK now, when
> we're facing enormous budget issues, they could
> have done it a few years ago. It wasn't important
> then because they weren't facing an election in
> the fall.
>
> Instead of "remembering" the school board members
> that voted in favor of FDK in all schools (like
> any of them would have voted against it at this
> point, HA!), let's remember that it shouldn't have
> taken a parent advocacy group fighting for this to
> get it resolved.


So true, so explain. Your assessment is exactly right.

The Farm Team Endorses Strauss Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> http://www.farmteam.org/candidates/janie-strauss/
> The Farm Team Endorses Long-Term Fairfax County
> School Board Member Janie Strauss for Re-Election
> Citing her distinguished and exemplary 18-year
> service on the Fairfax County School Board,
> Dranesville District, The Farm Team is proud to
> endorse Janie Strauss for re-election. Ms. Strauss
> also has been endorsed by U. S. Congressman Gerry
> Connolly, who says “Janie Strauss is a proven
> leader with a clear road map to take Fairfax
> students into the 21st century. She has championed
> academic success for all students. Janie’s
> leadership and budget expertise helped steer our
> schools through the recession without compromising
> academic excellence. She has made every tax dollar
> count. Chairman Strauss deserves to be
> re-elected.”
> In her many years of service to the students and
> families of the Dranesville District, Ms. Strauss
> has:
> • Focused resources on student learning, to
> include producing a record number of National
> Merit Scholars and narrowing the minority student
> achievement gap.
> • Brought full-day kindergarten to all
> Dranesville schools.
> • Maintained student programs that have kept
> Fairfax County schools on top nationwide despite
> the current economic recession
> • Reduced and reorganized central offices.
> • Ended the pay freeze for teachers and staff.
> • Made common sense changes to discipline
> practices.
> • Delivered additional support to Herndon
> Schools through the Priority Schools Initiative.
> • Established an independent School Board Audit
> Committee to ensure the efficiency and
> effectiveness of school operations.
> • Accelerated and completed crucial renovations
> at District schools.
> • Accommodated 12,000 additional students while
> keeping taxes flat.
> • Sustained the high quality of Fairfax County
> in an effort to bring world-class businesses to
> Fairfax County, such as Volkswagen of America,
> Hilton Worldwide, SAIC and Northrop Grumman.
> Ms. Strauss has served ten terms as School Board
> Budget Chair, during which time she expanded the
> School Board Audit Committee to enable good
> governance. She worked to cut central office
> expenses to direct resources to classrooms and
> fought to end a two-year salary freeze in order to
> retain the best teachers. In addition, Ms. Strauss
> believes in delivering a rigorous, well-rounded
> education to all students. She has focused on a
> core curriculum and feels strongly that this must
> be balanced with an inter-disciplinary edge in
> order to prepare our students for the 21st
> century.
> In addition, Ms. Strauss is dedicated to
> delivering customized education by enabling
> school-specific projects such as think tanks,
> strategies labs, a special focus on STEM and
> environmental awareness initiatives; preserving
> music and arts in the schools; maintaining foreign
> language instruction; and funding Fairfax County
> schools’ athletic programs and reducing athletic
> fees.
> The Farm Team believes Janie Strauss deserves to
> continue representing the Dranesville District on
> the Fairfax County School Board, and is very
> pleased to support her campaign for re-election.
> For more information on Ms. Strauss, please go to
> her website www.janiestrauss.com.


Looks like a strong list of accomplishments. Kind answers the new negative street signs popping up in McLean and Great Falls.

response to Farm Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> • Focused resources on student learning, to
> include producing a record number of National
> Merit Scholars and narrowing the minority student
> achievement gap.
> ***comment: meanwhile, students are being tested
> by "portfolio" to make scores look better for
> FCPS. NOVA has tons of remediation courses for
> FCPS graduates.
> • Brought full-day kindergarten to all
> Dranesville schools.
> ***comment: This was forced by the BOS after
> School Board had delayed it for YEARS.
> • Maintained student programs that have kept
> Fairfax County schools on top nationwide despite
> the current economic recession
> ***Meanwhile, we cut HONORS classes.
> • Reduced and reorganized central offices.
> ***Don't be so sure about this. Many people are
> counted as "school based" who hardly walk in a
> school.
> • Ended the pay freeze for teachers and staff.
> ***In an election year
> • Made common sense changes to discipline
> practices.
> ***After two suicides and outrage from the
> community. Strauss still votes against notifying
> parents prior to interrogation.
> • Delivered additional support to Herndon
> Schools through the Priority Schools Initiative.
> ***And "protects" Langley
> • Established an independent School Board Audit
> Committee to ensure the efficiency and
> effectiveness of school operations.
> ***We surely haven't seen any results here. What
> does "independent" mean. We need an outside
> audit.
> • Accelerated and completed crucial renovations
> at District schools.
> ***Voted to close one of the highest achieving
> schools in FCPS(Clifton) and one of the most
> successful "poor" schools (Graham Road) against
> the desires of each community.
> • Accommodated 12,000 additional students while
> keeping taxes flat.
> ***School board members do not have tax
> authority.
> • Sustained the high quality of Fairfax County
> in an effort to bring world-class businesses to
> Fairfax County, such as Volkswagen of America,
> Hilton Worldwide, SAIC and Northrop Grumman.
> ***Smoke and mirrors.
> .

Always funny when Thomas More dumps on Strauss after trying to have another Democrats expelled from the party for associating with Epstein!

John - your hypocrisy knows no bounds.

Not one Strauss supporter has yet given any kind of response to the p $20,000 pay to All Day K activists. I'm' willing to listen to an explanation. Please give me one.

What's the great thing about FDK. It just allows the single parent and 2 working parent households to get an extra 3 hours of taxpayer subsidized babysitting from the schools. Once you include the full lunch time, two snack times, "quiet" time and other assorted nonsense for FDK, the kids are only getting an extra 30 minutes of actual educational instruction.

+1 Thomas Boor

From an earlier thread, but relevant to the decision being made on Tuesday. Any thoughts?


http://www.fairfaxunderground.com/forum/read/2/487614/487614.html#msg-487614

My response to GT issue, what's yours?
Posted by: No she didn't ()
Date: January 19, 2011 03:18PM

This letter is from Louise Epstein, President of Fairfax County Association for the Gifted.

Dear Members of the Hope Chinese School,
This summer, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) may decide to phase out GT Centers or otherwise restructure programs for gifted students. If you care about GT programs, please contact your School Board members before June 8th.

The School Board has twelve voting members. Nine represent specific areas of Fairfax County. Three at-large members (Tina Hone, Jim Raney, and Ilryong Moon) represent all residents of Fairfax County. The contact information for all twelve School Board members is at http://www.fcps.edu/schlbd/members.htm.
Last week, the School Board voted to provide full bus service to GT Center students for another year, until the School Board had a chance to discuss the future of GT programs. During that meeting, several School Board members said FCPS should discontinue GT Centers or that this was just a one-year extension of full GT Center bus service.

This summer, the School Board will discuss GT programs during its June 8th work session and July 18th retreat. The basic question is whether gifted students should be grouped together for classes, or whether gifted students should be assigned to classes that also include below-average, average and/or above average students.

While FCPS has budget problems, money is not a key factor in this debate. FCPS employees have admitted that GT Centers are free, except for the extra buses. Indeed, lower costs per GTC student may partly offset the extra busing costs. GT Center classes seem to be larger on average than non-GT Center classes, and GTC teachers receive little support from aides or resource teachers. In contrast, non-GTC teachers often receive significant help from aides, GT resource teachers, and other resource teachers.

Thus, changes over the past decade in FCPS GT programs have been motivated largely by staff’s reservations about ability grouping, not by budget concerns. In the process, FCPS has restructured GT programs to gradually assign gifted students to more classes with a mix of gifted and other students, without explaining this clearly to parents.

For example, FCPS created “Local Level 4” classes in dozens of elementary schools, and told parents that Local Level 4 classes were the same as GT Center classes. However, the reality is that many “Level 4” classes have only a handful to 20 students who were admitted to the GT Center program, many of whom would not have been admitted to the GT Centers a decade ago. Principals then decide how to fill up their Level 4 classes, and they can change their mind every year. In some schools, principals put a mix of below average, average and above average students in the Level 4 classes.

Similarly, FCPS has told parents that taking all honors classes in middle school is the same as taking GT Center classes, calling both “Level 4.” However, this year’s FCPS Advanced Academic Programs Advisory Committee report admits that they are different, because of the different ability levels of students in the GT Center versus honors classes. In addition, Thoreau and other middle schools are experimenting with putting all or most students in “honors” courses, for one or more subjects. Thus, if GT Centers are phased out, gifted students in middle schools that follow the “all honors” philosophy could be assigned to “honors” classes with below average students.

Finally, spreading out gifted students among many schools often affects the availability of challenging academic programs. For example, without a large GT Center, it is often difficult to find enough students in a school who want to participate in chess clubs, math teams, Science Olympiad teams, and/or robotics teams. Without a critical mass of interested students, it is more difficult to persuade a school to sponsor these activities and/or to find enough students (and parent volunteers) to form these teams.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at lepstein@cox.net.

Sincerely,
Louise Epstein
President, Fairfax County Association for the Gifted
www.fcag.org

My Response:
Did she actually write mixing gifted with "other" students? I think her ego is over inflated. Kids would be better grouped by their learning styles than their IQs. Research supports that after an IQ of 115 to 125 is reached, those "other" folk can out-perform folks with IQs of 130+ by sheer hard work, luck and/or personality. Quality teachers can manage a diverse classroom and the "others" deserve the same opportunities as those with super high IQs. Research proves it is mainly your family and opportunities that determine your success. Many with high IQs, regardless of how well their educational needs are met, squander their talents. There's no proof it is worth the extra money. In fact, the opposite is true. We need better teachers and can save money on specific centers and transportation. Please, step down from your pedestal and start walking among us.

And, isn't transportation one of the larger budget items?

That is Louise to a "T" -- she doesn't want gifted kids to mix with "above average," "average," or, God forbid, "below average" kids. Essentially she wants to reserve access to accelerated curriculum to "gifted" (IQ above 140) kids, thereby denying a lot of very smart kids the chances her gifted children received. And what hubris to think that only gifted kids are interested in "chess clubs, math teams, Science Olympiad teams, and/or robotics teams." If people don't see that this confirms the claim that Louise is elitist (see the thread "Louise Epstein is an Elitest" on this site), nothing will persuade them.

response to a voter:

Kind of like Strauss "protecting Langley"? Sounds like the same kind of elitism to me--except that Strauss assuages her guilt by sending money out of Dranesville--except for Langley, of course. How do Herndon and McLean feel about that?

As a proud former chess club and Lego League volunteer at my children’s non GT or AAP school, all I can say is wow. I never knew being in a school with my kids would be so detrimental to the GT kids.


Epstein protecting GT kids from having to be in class with “other” kids Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> From an earlier thread, but relevant to the
> decision being made on Tuesday. Any thoughts?
>
>
> http://www.fairfaxunderground.com/forum/read/2/487
> 614/487614.html#msg-487614
>
> My response to GT issue, what's yours?
> Posted by: No she didn't ()
> Date: January 19, 2011 03:18PM
>
> This letter is from Louise Epstein, President of
> Fairfax County Association for the Gifted.
>
> Dear Members of the Hope Chinese School,
> This summer, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS)
> may decide to phase out GT Centers or otherwise
> restructure programs for gifted students. If you
> care about GT programs, please contact your School
> Board members before June 8th.
>
> The School Board has twelve voting members. Nine
> represent specific areas of Fairfax County. Three
> at-large members (Tina Hone, Jim Raney, and
> Ilryong Moon) represent all residents of Fairfax
> County. The contact information for all twelve
> School Board members is at
> http://www.fcps.edu/schlbd/members.htm.
> Last week, the School Board voted to provide full
> bus service to GT Center students for another
> year, until the School Board had a chance to
> discuss the future of GT programs. During that
> meeting, several School Board members said FCPS
> should discontinue GT Centers or that this was
> just a one-year extension of full GT Center bus
> service.
>
> This summer, the School Board will discuss GT
> programs during its June 8th work session and July
> 18th retreat. The basic question is whether gifted
> students should be grouped together for classes,
> or whether gifted students should be assigned to
> classes that also include below-average, average
> and/or above average students.
>
> While FCPS has budget problems, money is not a key
> factor in this debate. FCPS employees have
> admitted that GT Centers are free, except for the
> extra buses. Indeed, lower costs per GTC student
> may partly offset the extra busing costs. GT
> Center classes seem to be larger on average than
> non-GT Center classes, and GTC teachers receive
> little support from aides or resource teachers. In
> contrast, non-GTC teachers often receive
> significant help from aides, GT resource teachers,
> and other resource teachers.
>
> Thus, changes over the past decade in FCPS GT
> programs have been motivated largely by staff’s
> reservations about ability grouping, not by budget
> concerns. In the process, FCPS has restructured GT
> programs to gradually assign gifted students to
> more classes with a mix of gifted and other
> students, without explaining this clearly to
> parents.
>
> For example, FCPS created “Local Level 4”
> classes in dozens of elementary schools, and told
> parents that Local Level 4 classes were the same
> as GT Center classes. However, the reality is that
> many “Level 4” classes have only a handful to
> 20 students who were admitted to the GT Center
> program, many of whom would not have been admitted
> to the GT Centers a decade ago. Principals then
> decide how to fill up their Level 4 classes, and
> they can change their mind every year. In some
> schools, principals put a mix of below average,
> average and above average students in the Level 4
> classes.
>
> Similarly, FCPS has told parents that taking all
> honors classes in middle school is the same as
> taking GT Center classes, calling both “Level
> 4.” However, this year’s FCPS Advanced
> Academic Programs Advisory Committee report admits
> that they are different, because of the different
> ability levels of students in the GT Center versus
> honors classes. In addition, Thoreau and other
> middle schools are experimenting with putting all
> or most students in “honors” courses, for one
> or more subjects. Thus, if GT Centers are phased
> out, gifted students in middle schools that follow
> the “all honors” philosophy could be assigned
> to “honors” classes with below average
> students.
>
> Finally, spreading out gifted students among many
> schools often affects the availability of
> challenging academic programs. For example,
> without a large GT Center, it is often difficult
> to find enough students in a school who want to
> participate in chess clubs, math teams, Science
> Olympiad teams, and/or robotics teams. Without a
> critical mass of interested students, it is more
> difficult to persuade a school to sponsor these
> activities and/or to find enough students (and
> parent volunteers) to form these teams.
>
> If you have any questions, please feel free to
> contact me at lepstein@cox.net.
>
> Sincerely,
> Louise Epstein
> President, Fairfax County Association for the
> Gifted
> www.fcag.org

Her comments are REPUGNANT. To think that you, because of your station in life, think that you have a right to discriminate against,and I quote, "Below average, average and above average students" in a PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM to which WE, (non-parents and parents of ALL ability level students) ALL PAY our taxes to support is WRONG, MALICIOUS and PROFOUNDLY IMMORAL.

FCPS is not perfect, but compared to school systems nationwide, they're on top!

Ms. Epstein SHAME ON YOU!!!

Know Nothing Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Her comments are REPUGNANT. To think that you,
> because of your station in life, think that you
> have a right to discriminate against,and I quote,
> "Below average, average and above average
> students" in a PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM to which WE,
> (non-parents and parents of ALL ability level
> students) ALL PAY our taxes to support is WRONG,
> MALICIOUS and PROFOUNDLY IMMORAL.
>
> FCPS is not perfect, but compared to school
> systems nationwide, they're on top!


While I agree with your sentiments, I think you may have gone a bit too far (and turn off the CAPS). Epstein was just representing her constituents. The problem I see is that the constituents she has been representing comprise a small slice of the Dranesville district and an even small slice of Fairfax County.
>
> Ms. Epstein SHAME ON YOU!!!

a voter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> That is Louise to a "T" -- she doesn't want gifted
> kids to mix with "above average," "average," or,
> God forbid, "below average" kids. Essentially she
> wants to reserve access to accelerated curriculum
> to "gifted" (IQ above 140) kids, thereby denying a
> lot of very smart kids the chances her gifted
> children received. And what hubris to think that
> only gifted kids are interested in "chess clubs,
> math teams, Science Olympiad teams, and/or
> robotics teams." If people don't see that this
> confirms the claim that Louise is elitist (see the
> thread "Louise Epstein is an Elitest" on this
> site), nothing will persuade them.

There simply is nothing that motivates Epstein more than protecting AAP programs. She really does not give a shit about anything else. I think she only spent time on Fairgrade so she would have a platform to challenge Strauss, and she is only challenging Strauss to protect the gifted programs.

Let her continue to advocate for them - but keep her off the Board.

Let me try again.

To Know Nothing.

While I agree with your sentiments, I think you may have gone a bit too far (and turn off the CAPS). Epstein was just representing her constituents. The problem I see is that the constituents she has been representing comprise a small slice of the Dranesville district and an even smaller slice of Fairfax County.

Another voter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> response to a voter:
>
> Kind of like Strauss "protecting Langley"? Sounds
> like the same kind of elitism to me--except that
> Strauss assuages her guilt by sending money out of
> Dranesville--except for Langley, of course. How
> do Herndon and McLean feel about that?


The "protecting Langley" phrase did not come from Strauss. This was a campaign tactic used by her opponent. The letter was straight from Epstein. We should not compare Epstein’s words with the words the Epstein campaign has tried to make stick to Strauss.

I'm still waiting for someone to please explain to me how this is NOT considered "vote buying". Stauss has paid over $20,000 to 2 FDK activists in the past 2 months and someone above tried to tell us that these are "friends" supporting Janie. Interesting that Janie's "friends" just happen to be Bradsher's neighbors. For clarification purposes, I've copied the posts regarding these payments below.



Re: Louise Epstein is an elitest.
Posted by: Janie buys votes ()
Date: October 21, 2011 01:15PM


Report Year : 2011

Candidates : Strauss Jane "Janie" K
Report Codes : CC20110007(0)
Filing Period : 09/01/2011 - 09/30/2011


CC20110007 Geller Rebecca 8013 Clippenham Ct - Fairfax Station - VA - 22039 campaign strategy services Janie Strauss 9/21/2011 10000

********************************************************************************


Please refer all press inquiries to Rebecca Geller via FairfaxFullDayKindergarten@gmail.com. ...

*********************************************************************************

What a fabulous journey we shared together! This letter is to encourage you to remember to keep our promise.


When writing letters and making speeches, we promised: "we will remember you in November." Now, it is time to fulfill our promise. Please see below the list of 6 candidates who will be re-running and voted in favor of FDK funding.


Janie Strauss - Dranesville

Kathy Smith - Sully

Dan Stork - Mt. Vernon

Patty Reed - Providence

Ilryong Moon - Member-At- Large

Sandy Evans - Mason



Almost 100 years of institutional knowledge departs with 6 school board members as well our Superintendent. Our schools are the "crown jewel" of Fairfax. We must ensure that the remaining 6 incumbents are re-elected to enable a smooth transition this year. Managing a $2.2 billion enterprise requires experience.


*****************************************************************************

Janie pays $10,000 to Geller...and then she (FDK) endorse Janie.



_____________________________________

Re: Official FCPS School Board Elections Thread
Posted by: FRAUD ALERT! ()
Date: November 04, 2011 03:19PM


Why is the Keating woman who said we have to remember in November the school board people who voted for full day kindergarten now being paid by Jane Strauss' campaign?
Isn't this basically buying votes?

http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Campaign_Finance_Disclosure/View_Disclosure_Reports/CF_Reports_Results.asp?SUWVVal=CandidateView&RepYearVal=2011&tCNVal=&tCCVal=&tCSVal=&tCZVal=&tCOVal=&tCBDVal=&tCEDVal=&tCAFVal=&tCATVal=&tCCSOptVal=EqualTo&CandVal=1914&CommVal=&RDVa


CC20110008 Keating Shaista 9417 Eagle Trace - Fairfax Station - VA - 22039 consuting services Janie Strauss 10/5/2011 10000
CC20110008 Keating Shaista 9417 Eagle Trace - Fairfax Station - VA - 22039 supplies Janie Strauss 10/8/2011 500
Data Specified
Report Year : 2011





Candidates : Strauss Jane "Janie" K
Report Codes : CC20110008(0)

so explain Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'm still waiting for someone to please explain to
> me how this is NOT considered "vote buying".
> Stauss has paid over $20,000 to 2 FDK activists in
> the past 2 months and someone above tried to tell
> us that these are "friends" supporting Janie.
> Interesting that Janie's "friends" just happen to
> be Bradsher's neighbors. For clarification
> purposes, I've copied the posts regarding these
> payments below.
>
>
>
> Re: Louise Epstein is an elitest.
> Posted by: Janie buys votes ()
> Date: October 21, 2011 01:15PM
>
>
> Report Year : 2011
>
> Candidates : Strauss Jane "Janie" K
> Report Codes : CC20110007(0)
> Filing Period : 09/01/2011 - 09/30/2011
>
>
> CC20110007 Geller Rebecca 8013 Clippenham Ct -
> Fairfax Station - VA - 22039 campaign strategy
> services Janie Strauss 9/21/2011 10000
>
> **************************************************
> ******************************
>
>
> Please refer all press inquiries to Rebecca Geller
> via FairfaxFullDayKindergarten@gmail.com. ...
>
> **************************************************
> *******************************
>
> What a fabulous journey we shared together! This
> letter is to encourage you to remember to keep our
> promise.
>
>
> When writing letters and making speeches, we
> promised: "we will remember you in November." Now,
> it is time to fulfill our promise. Please see
> below the list of 6 candidates who will be
> re-running and voted in favor of FDK funding.
>
>
> Janie Strauss - Dranesville
>
> Kathy Smith - Sully
>
> Dan Stork - Mt. Vernon
>
> Patty Reed - Providence
>
> Ilryong Moon - Member-At- Large
>
> Sandy Evans - Mason
>
>
>
> Almost 100 years of institutional knowledge
> departs with 6 school board members as well our
> Superintendent. Our schools are the "crown jewel"
> of Fairfax. We must ensure that the remaining 6
> incumbents are re-elected to enable a smooth
> transition this year. Managing a $2.2 billion
> enterprise requires experience.
>
>
> **************************************************
> ***************************
>
> Janie pays $10,000 to Geller...and then she (FDK)
> endorse Janie.
>
>
>
> _____________________________________
>
> Re: Official FCPS School Board Elections Thread
> Posted by: FRAUD ALERT! ()
> Date: November 04, 2011 03:19PM
>
>
> Why is the Keating woman who said we have to
> remember in November the school board people who
> voted for full day kindergarten now being paid by
> Jane Strauss' campaign?
> Isn't this basically buying votes?
>
> http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Campaign_Finance_D
> isclosure/View_Disclosure_Reports/CF_Reports_Resul
> ts.asp?SUWVVal=CandidateView&RepYearVal=2011&tCNVa
> l=&tCCVal=&tCSVal=&tCZVal=&tCOVal=&tCBDVal=&tCEDVa
> l=&tCAFVal=&tCATVal=&tCCSOptVal=EqualTo&CandVal=19
> 14&CommVal=&RDVa
>
>
> CC20110008 Keating Shaista 9417 Eagle Trace -
> Fairfax Station - VA - 22039 consuting services
> Janie Strauss 10/5/2011 10000
> CC20110008 Keating Shaista 9417 Eagle Trace -
> Fairfax Station - VA - 22039 supplies Janie
> Strauss 10/8/2011 500
> Data Specified
> Report Year : 2011
>
>
>
>
>
> Candidates : Strauss Jane "Janie" K
> Report Codes : CC20110008(0)

Its called politics deary. It happens every day. The real kingmakers who you dont read about know how to use it every day

from Nice Try:

"The "protecting Langley" phrase did not come from Strauss. This was a campaign tactic used by her opponent. The letter was straight from Epstein. We should not compare Epstein’s words with the words the Epstein campaign has tried to make stick to Strauss."

I beg to differ--it was a quote direct from Janie--the video was posted last week on her site. I'm pretty sure the video was from the debate in Great Falls. She was crystal clear: she has protected Langley for 16 years. The words came from her mouth.

I still want to hear an explanation from Strauss about the 20K she gave to Full Day K activists.

Janie's people are an ugly lawless set of thieves and liars.Anything goes with that grotesque collection of misfits. You can't really be surprised that they would think of bribery as just part of the game.

you're wrong Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> from Nice Try:
>
> "The "protecting Langley" phrase did not come from
> Strauss. This was a campaign tactic used by her
> opponent. The letter was straight from Epstein. We
> should not compare Epstein’s words with the
> words the Epstein campaign has tried to make stick
> to Strauss."
>
> I beg to differ--it was a quote direct from
> Janie--the video was posted last week on her site.
> I'm pretty sure the video was from the debate in
> Great Falls. She was crystal clear: she has
> protected Langley for 16 years. The words came
> from her mouth.
>
> I still want to hear an explanation from Strauss
> about the 20K she gave to Full Day K activists.


If Strauss has protected Langley, are you saying that is one of her accomplishments? If not, what is the change Epstein proposes for the Langley boundaries?

Strauss claims that as an accomplishment when she is not claiming to be the defender of the downtrodden.

For the record, I don't think anyone should be redistricted unless there is a new school being built. I also think there should be needs based funding--but not to the point where there are 35 kids in a class at Great Falls.

However, Ms. Strauss has voted many times to redistrict schools out of her district which need it less than Langley (see South Lakes, Westfield, Chantilly). She also voted for the unnecessary closure of Clifton and Graham Rd. These redistrictings are part of the fiefdom complex of the school board--do whatever the board member of that district wants--even if it is wrong. Read, Ms. Strauss supported Bradsher, Gibson and Smith when they wanted unnecessary changes in their districts.

Janie Strauss defends keeping Langley as is but wants to send money to the poor. That is my definition of a "limousine liberal". Sorry.

no and yes Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Strauss claims that as an accomplishment when she
> is not claiming to be the defender of the
> downtrodden.
>
> For the record, I don't think anyone should be
> redistricted unless there is a new school being
> built. I also think there should be needs based
> funding--but not to the point where there are 35
> kids in a class at Great Falls.

I don’t want 35 kids in a class, but you know that was an aberration and not the norm.

Are you saying we have to build a brand new facility every time a school gets overcrowded? That makes no sense. 5-10 years from now there will certainly be people moving into areas of the county where the schools are overcrowded while for whatever reason the population in the next school boundary declines. By your standard, students from the overcrowded school could not be assigned to the underutilized school down the road. Instead, we would have to build a new school. Sounds like DC public schools logic.

About the redistricting--I might walk that back a little bit. South Lakes was underutilized--but Westfield and Chantilly were not "overcrowded" by facility standards. Westfield had been expanded and money had been spent to accomodate the students there. Was it ideal? No. But, remember, the SB redistricted a neighborhood that had been through multiple redistrictings.

South Lakes had just been re-done. One of the issues at South Lakes was the IB program. That was responsible for part of the drain. But, also, with the Metro coming, it was certainly reasonable to expect that the enrollment would increase. As it happens, there are now trailers at South Lakes. I suspect that when the Metro is complete that South Lakes will be overcrowded. Part of the bitterness in the South Lakes redistricting was that students who lived extremely close to South Lakes, in many cases were in Langley's district. Janie did protect them. That is what bothers me about Janie--she talks out of both sides of her mouth. These are neighborhoods that geographically-without question--belonged at South Lakes.

Back to redistricting--I stand by my statement unless the numbers are just egregious. They were not in the case of Westfield and Chantilly. Clifton closure was based on bad information and politics. Graham Rd. was just a total lack of judgment and understanding of the community on the part of the School board.

no and yes Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> About the redistricting--I might walk that back a
> little bit. South Lakes was underutilized--but
> Westfield and Chantilly were not "overcrowded" by
> facility standards. Westfield had been expanded
> and money had been spent to accomodate the
> students there. Was it ideal? No. But, remember,
> the SB redistricted a neighborhood that had been
> through multiple redistrictings.
>
Wait a minute. There were a bunch of kids taking classes in trailers at Oakton and Westfield. With the redistricting to South Lakes dozens of trailers were taken away. So you want kids these kids back in those trailers instead of being moved to a newly renovated school? I thought a big push of the Dranesville elections was about kids being in trailers.

Not only is it putrid that the very people who sold Full Day K for the School Board, "for" since they used it as a job protection program, live in Bradsher's neighborhood (HOOK), they pldeged support to members supporting them (LINE), now they are paid by the same very members whose bidding they did in the first place? (SINKER)

School Board Job Preservation Act:
You help us improve our image by lobbying us for FDK
People will be grateful that we got the job done
You then thank us publicly just in time for the Elections
You will be paid for consulting to us while thanking us

Slimey, unethical collusion
No wonder people are ready to be rid of every single incumbent
Jane Strauss, Dan Stork, Ilyung Moon and Kathy Smith-enough already. Now they want more time to fix stuff? They should be given time. 3 days.

You can't please all the people all the time Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> no and yes Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > About the redistricting--I might walk that back
> a
> > little bit. South Lakes was underutilized--but
> > Westfield and Chantilly were not "overcrowded"
> by
> > facility standards. Westfield had been expanded
>
> > and money had been spent to accomodate the
> > students there. Was it ideal? No. But,
> remember,
> > the SB redistricted a neighborhood that had
> been
> > through multiple redistrictings.
> >
> Wait a minute. There were a bunch of kids taking
> classes in trailers at Oakton and Westfield. With
> the redistricting to South Lakes dozens of
> trailers were taken away. So you want kids these
> kids back in those trailers instead of being moved
> to a newly renovated school?

Simple fact is that Staff's own numbers had South Lakes above capacity by now. Tisdadt was quoted at the time that he didn't believe people would actually come. Well, they did.

As of the beginning of the public meetings, Westfield was already below its then rated capacity of 3100 students and, per the CIP, projected to continue to decline in numbers. Original capacity 2500, expanded capacity 3100 as of the redistricting. Subsequently rerated to its current 27xx capacity. (So we didn't actually get the capacity the SB claimed in the bond referendum...)

The Strauss campaign must have received really bad polling results this weekend. If her numbers weren't so bad, her campaign wouldn't be on this board getting so down on Epstein. If the poll numbers were good, they'd be running happy go lucky messaging. Guess the race is already over for Strauss.

http://www.wusa9.com/news/virginia/article/173510/188/Fairfax-County-School-Board-Elections-Next-Week

this is so great as you can see the candidates

to me, brown-kaplan and schultz are the most specific with details and believable

storck - i hear 'blah blah blah' huge amount of lip service. opponent nellenbach was superior but in fairness someone else interviewed her so don't know if that made a difference.

hynes and linton - about even with possible benefit of hynes being a teacher, but could also be a negative

hurley & maclaughlin - hurley is just flat out obnoxious. maclaughlin makes it noe contest

moon's couldn't hear which is ok because he can't be understood anyway

Just a numbers watcher Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The Strauss campaign must have received really bad
> polling results this weekend. If her numbers
> weren't so bad, her campaign wouldn't be on this
> board getting so down on Epstein. If the poll
> numbers were good, they'd be running happy go
> lucky messaging. Guess the race is already over
> for Strauss.

This is not what I am hearing from the mainstream type voters, most of whom don't have a chip on their shoulders. Many I've spoken to say they would have gone with Epstein had Lorenze not overshadowed her with all the negative campaigning, which has really turned alot of people off. These folks don't need to read the back and forth on this forum to know which way they're going to vote.

Just a numbers watcher Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The Strauss campaign must have received really bad
> polling results this weekend. If her numbers
> weren't so bad, her campaign wouldn't be on this
> board getting so down on Epstein. If the poll
> numbers were good, they'd be running happy go
> lucky messaging. Guess the race is already over
> for Strauss.


Doubt it.

It's a School Board election, so how many polling organizations are really tracking it?

Janie is doing fine. It's Lorenze trying to turn this into Bush v. Gore that has made it such a drama-fest.

It's ultimately about the kids. Janie cares about all of them. Epstein cares about a few.

Let's all say "good morning" to Catherine. Good luck posing as 40 different moms today. It'll be a lot of "work".

The WUSA9 segments make for an interesting view on a Sunday morning.

It is interesting to see the common themes and also the clear differences.
Watching the campaigns adopt the audit message, and virtually all did, reminded me of a post on another FFU thread from some time ago. It took a little bit to find it, so it is reposted here.

Campaigns did not come out with this message until there was traction with the public. Now they are all, or most, are advocating it.

Looks like FEC and Schultz had it right or the candidates wouldn't all say it in their interviews.

Good job FEC.


http://rednova8.com/wordpress/?p=4354
Jumping on the (audit) bus?

When the Fairfax County School Board originally proposed its budget this year and presented it to the public, asking for $48.8 million dollars over last year’s transfer, I testified that it was irresponsible to the County’s taxpayers and residents to ask the Board of Supervisors to render a budget with the expectation that shortfall be completely absorbed by the Supervisors. I asked that Superintendent Jack Dale seek a collaborative budget which met the needs of the students FIRST in the classroom, the teachers and the residents of this County.

FCPS then presented the public and Board of Supervisors with a $42+ million dollar proposed increase over last year’s transfer, even though the FCPS budget consistently has tens of millions excess in reserve. Improving our education system is not merely achieved by wrenching more dollars out of the wallets of the residents of Fairfax County, but rather begins with a clear grasp of how our education dollars are already being spent.

Committing to analyzing the value of an independent audit function, my fellow Fairfax Education Coalition (FEC) Board members Walt Carlson, who is also FEC’s Co-Chair, and Greg Brandon – who just sought but did not receive a School Board At-Large endorsement from the Fairfax County Democratic Committee – joined me for a detailed meeting with Michael Longhi at Office of Financial and Program Audit. Longhi serves as the independent auditor to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

This proactive bi-partisan effort made very clear the advantage the Board of Supervisors has in seeking the professional expertise of its own independent auditor, which permits the Supervisors access to and review of data not generated by staff. This pursuit of accountability is the essence of good stewardship of the public’s money.

With an annual cost of $330,000, representing three full-time equivalent positions (FTEs), the Supervisors’ independent audit function reported $4+ Million in savings and/or cost avoidance in the 3rd quarter alone. There is a tacit understanding that the savings are even much greater. The benefit of this function, not the cost, is the focus for the Board of Supervisors.

Longhi’s independent audit staff is in addition to 12 FTEs dedicated to the County’s internal audit function. This means that approximately 46% of Fairfax County’s budget has 15 FTEs in either an internal or independent audit capacity. There is no comparable function – internal or independent – for the nearly 54% of the remaining budget which is transferred to FCPS.

As a result, I provided testimony to both the Board of Supervisors and the School Board that it is absolutely critical to openly and deliberately pursue an independent audit function to report directly to the School Board. There is no arms-length review upon which the School Board Members may rely to identify financial and programmatic efficiencies.

Ultimately, a flat transfer to FCPS was approved by the Board of Supervisors. Despite FCPS’ prior predictions otherwise, the School Board found a way with the flat transfer to fund Full Day Kindergarten – at long last achieving parity in education services for the balance of students languishing without – and give the teachers a nominal 1% pay raise. The Supervisors’ transfer came with a strong recommendation (if not an admonishment) that the School Board acquire an independent audit function.

The Supervisors’ encouragement in this regard was a welcome echo of the standing efforts by Providence School Board member Patty Reed and work of advocates in the community. The collective goal has been to ensure maximum efficacy and transparency with the taxpayer dollars used to educate our County’s children.

Thus, it is with no small measure of incredulity that this week two current School Board members, Janie Strauss (Dranesville) and Ilryong Moon (At-Large) – both seeking reelection this November – have “suddenly” come up with the idea that an independent auditor is a fresh new idea for the Fairfax County School Board?

At the end of this past Monday’s Work Session, Moon provided the suggestion in a stunning, off-handed manner, quickly followed by a ‘second’ by Strauss. What is so surprising about their support for this great idea? The fact that these incumbent School Board members couldn’t be dragged to this ‘good idea’ if their lives depended upon it. Now that their political lives do depend upon it, they are jumping on the bus?! In an election year, maybe it isn’t so surprising after all…

Reasonable efforts promoting fiscal prudency, stability of property values and taxes, sustainability, environmental responsibility and – notably – which would have largely obviated the need for the sweeping boundary changes about to affect a substantial number of our students this fall have been systematically ignored by some members on this School Board.

Great lengths have been taken by a number of fellow FEC Board members and residents, who have collectively dedicated an extraordinary number of hours into citizen grassroots fiscal, policy and programmatic analysis and advocacy, to educate the public and legislators that an independent audit function expands opportunities for cost savings/avoidances in our public school system.

As we move forward to effectively deliver solutions and increase transparency, collaboration with the Board of Supervisors, County government officials and the Commonwealth’s legislators is critical.

There are likely plenty of people pleased to see the change in direction and agreement this week by some School Board members running for reelection on November 8th, including their challengers. We are headed for an audit function and accountability and there are plenty of seats on the bus; for Mr. Moon and Ms. Strauss to say they planned the route, though, is disingenuous.

Elizabeth L. Schultz
Fairfax County School Board, Springfield District Candidate

Eyeon9 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> hurley & maclaughlin - hurley is just flat out
> obnoxious. maclaughlin makes it noe contest

You don't like that Nell Hurley provided detailed responses showing a clear understanding of both sides of th issue, noting the complexities of the issues, while Megan Mclaughlin gave the same tired canned responses that SLEEP et al keep repeating?

Geez Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Eyeon9 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> >
> > hurley & maclaughlin - hurley is just flat out
> > obnoxious. maclaughlin makes it noe contest
>
> You don't like that Nell Hurley provided detailed
> responses showing a clear understanding of both
> sides of th issue, noting the complexities of the
> issues, while Megan Mclaughlin gave the same tired
> canned responses that SLEEP et al keep repeating?


Hurley's 'this and that' verbal blithering is asinine.

"Well, to get a little of this you give up a little of that."

Thanks Einstein.

Hardly think she was a Navy Captain for 25 years. IN the Navy yes, Captain for 25 no. Jeez, can you imagine those fitness reports?

Here's a shout out to Sully,

This board has neglected Sully district. But, let's remind everyone that Kathy Smith has voted for the following:
AGAINST notifying parents before interrogation of students
FOR Gatehouse 2 while Sully kids sit in trailers
DELAYED Full day K for many years after scheduled roll out
FOR closure of Clifton resulting in mass redistricting that did nothing to relieve overcrowding and put students on buses
SUPPORTED extending Jack Dale's contract with the addition of money when the budget crisis was clearly looming

I think she now supports an outside audit--what has she been doing while she was chairman?

Ratnam will bring fresh eyes and common sense to the School Board. We need a change.