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Fairfax County School Board Elections

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

In School Board Race, Incumbents Keep Pace With New Faces

Even split for tenured, new members on 12-person board; Democrat-endorsed candidates sweep races

Facing the largest turnover its had in years, the Fairfax County School Board held on to many of its incumbents Tuesday night despite an election season marked by loud cries for change. Six of the board's 12 members did not seek re-election, leaving half the board open for newcomers to step into place. But four of those seats went to incumbents Janie Strauss (Dranesville), Dan Storck (Mt. Vernon), Kathy Smith (Sully) and Illryong Moon (At-large), candidates who were sometimes cast into a group of "rubber stampers" throughout this election season by voters dissatisfied with school system. On Tuesday night, however, they won, in some cases with substantial margins, over the self-labeled "reformers" who challenged them. Two more incumbents — …

Will Radle

8:03 am on Thursday, November 10, 2011

Every politician elected is mandated to keep their commitments to voters for we will hold them accountable. Won't we? A. Will Radle, Jr. Creating a Culture of Listening   more ›

Monday, October 31, 2011

In School Board Elections, Party Endorsements Lead to Wins

Support from Fairfax County Democrats and Republicans have played an important role in nonpartisan elections

Steve Stuban has talked to thousands of voters since he launched his campaign for an at-large seat on the Fairfax County School Board this summer. Many agree with the message he's carried to forums, debates, back-to-school nights and PTA meet-and-greets. Some don't. One man approached him after a candidates forum last week, calling Stuban a "tremendous candidate" and saying he wished he could vote for four at-large candidates. But the race has only three at-large seats, and he votes a straight party ticket. The anecdote is one of several in what some call the "most intense" school board race the county has seen in years — one that could, in the most dramatic scenario, leave only two experienced members in their seats. If past elections are…

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Kilgore

4:06 pm on Thursday, November 3, 2011

Constructive criticism: get your facts right. And don't spend so much time crafting evasive answers to fairly simple questions. The relevance of the endorsement status is intellectual honesty. Citizen is the biggest offender on that front, but it makes me wonder if Stuban is actually a much more shrewd politican than he is trying to appear to be. All this being said, don't get me started on most …   more ›

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Video: School Board Candidates Debate At Marshall High School

Candidates speak on pyramid planning, curriculum as election approaches

Marshall High School's PTSA hosted a forum for at-large school board candidates Wednesday, asking a series of questions specific to their community and pyramid. Candidates in attendance included: Among them: Question 1: What suggestions do you have for pyramid planning in order to accommodate the rapid influx of students? Question 2: What are your thoughts on the current general education curriculum, in particular as it pertains to elementary schools? Question 3: Why is there a mandatory Economics course for freshmen even if the student is taking two AP math courses? To see candidate responses to each of the questions, click the videos in the media player above.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Live Blog: Mason District Council Forum and Debate

At-Large School Board candidates and Mason District Supervisor candidates will debate at 7 p.m.

Join us for the Mason District Council of Community Associations and the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area two-part event. Fairfax County School Board At-Large candidates Sheree Brown-Kaplan, Lolita Mancheno-Smoak, Ryan McElveen, Ilryong Moon, Steve Stuban, and Ted Velkoff are all scheduled to participate in a forum beginning at 7 p.m. Following the forum, Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross and Republican challenger David Feld will debate starting at 8 p.m. Our blog will go live at 7 p.m

Friday, October 14, 2011

PatchChat Live: How and Why Parents Are Driving The School Board Election

Join us at 11 a.m. Friday as we talk about the Nov. 8 race for school board with parents, outgoing school board member Brad Center and FCFT President Steve Greenburg

In many communities, the race for Fairfax County School Board seats are overshadowing the General Assembly races in this November's elections. Seven candidates are running for the board's three at-large positions, five members aren't seeking re-election and several incumbents are being challenged, which could mean a complete overhaul of the board's membership. At 11 a.m. Friday, Patch will discuss how this year's election compares with those of years past, why so many people have stepped forward to run for office and what issues are driving parents to the polls. School Board Member Brad Center (Lee District), Steve Greenburg, President of Fairfax County Federation of Teachers, and Greg Brandon, corresponding secretary for the Fairfax …

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Laurie Dodd

1:09 pm on Saturday, October 22, 2011

Louise Epstein has been a pleasure to work with, in all of my dealings with her. She consults all stakeholders and works to bring them to agreement. I doubt Fairgrade would have had the success it did if Louise, one of its founders, did not know how to work with people. I have seen her build on areas of agreement, rather than use divisive methods. Campaigning is very different than serving on the…   more ›

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

The At-Large Race: Ted Velkoff

One in a series of at-large school board candidates responses to reader questions

Seven candidates will vie for three at-large seats on the Fairfax County School Board in the Nov. 8 elections. As election day approaches, Patch has selected six questions based on submissions from readers and sent them in a survey to all at-large candidates. Over the course of the next week, Patch will run the responses of the six candidates who returned the questionnaires. These responses are unedited, in the candidates' own words. Note: Candidate Lin-Dai Kendall did not return the survey. Oct. 5: Sheree Brown-Kaplan Oct. 6: Lolita Mancheno-Smoak Oct 7: Ryan McElveen Oct. 10: Ilryong Moon Oct. 11: Steve Stuban Oct. 12: Ted Velkoff Today, Ted Velkoff Is FCPS underfunded, overfunded, or properly funded at the current level?  Explain.   …

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

The At-Large Race: Steve Stuban

One in a series of at-large school board candidates responses to reader questions

Seven candidates will vie for three at-large seats on the Fairfax County School Board in the Nov. 8 elections. As election day approaches, Patch has selected six questions based on submissions from readers and sent them in a survey to all at-large candidates. Over the course of the next week, Patch will run the responses of the six candidates who returned the questionnaires. These responses are unedited, in the candidates' own words. Note: Candidate Lin-Dai Kendall did not return the survey. Oct. 5: Sheree Brown-Kaplan Oct. 6: Lolita Mancheno-Smoak Oct 7: Ryan McElveen Oct. 10: Ilryong Moon Oct. 11: Steve Stuban Oct. 12: Ted Velkoff Today, Steve Stuban Is FCPS underfunded, overfunded, or properly funded at the current level? Explain.   …

Monday, October 10, 2011

The At Large Race: Ilryong Moon

One in a series of at-large school board candidates responses to reader questions

Seven candidates will vie for three at-large seats on the Fairfax County School Board in the Nov. 8 elections. As election day approaches, Patch has selected six questions based on submissions from readers and sent them in a survey to all at-large candidates. Over the course of the next week, Patch will run the responses of the six candidates who returned the questionnaires. These responses are unedited, in the candidates' own words. Note: Candidate Lin-Dai Kendall did not return the survey. Oct. 5: Sheree Brown-Kaplan Oct. 6: Lolita Mancheno-Smoak Oct 7: Ryan McElveen Oct. 10: Ilryong Moon Oct. 11: Steve Stuban Oct. 12: Ted Velkoff Today, Ilryong Moon Is FCPS underfunded, overfunded, or properly funded at the current level? Explain. FCPS …

Marta D. Saltus

12:17 pm on Thursday, October 13, 2011

I stand corrected, Laurie, thank you!   more ›

Friday, October 7, 2011

The At-Large Race: Ryan McElveen

One in a series of at-large school board candidates responses to reader questions

Seven candidates will vie for three at-large seats on the Fairfax County School Board in the Nov. 8 elections. As election day approaches, Patch has selected six questions based on submissions from readers and sent them in a survey to all at-large candidates. Over the course of the next week, Patch will run the responses of the six candidates who returned the questionnaires. These responses are unedited, in the candidates' own words. Note: Candidate Lin-Dai Kendall did not return the survey. Oct. 5: Sheree Brown-Kaplan Oct. 6: Lolita Mancheno-Smoak Oct 7: Ryan McElveen Oct. 10: Ilryong Moon Oct. 11: Steve Stuban Oct. 12: Ted Velkoff Today, Ryan McElveen Is FCPS underfunded, overfunded, or properly funded at the current level? Explain. FCPS…

Paul S.

3:16 pm on Tuesday, November 1, 2011

I am so thrilled to vote for Ryan McElveen because he's a got the charisma, energy, and first-hand experience in what is actually happening in Fairfax County education. He's been the underdog through out the campaign season and I think he's really going to surprise everyone.   more ›

Thursday, October 6, 2011

The At-Large Race: Lolita Mancheno-Smoak

One in a series of at-large school board candidates responses to reader questions

Seven candidates will vie for three at-large seats on the Fairfax County School Board in the Nov. 8 elections. As election day approaches, Patch has selected six questions based on submissions from readers and sent them in a survey to all at-large candidates. Over the course of the next week, Patch will run the responses of the six candidates who returned the questionnaires. These responses are unedited, in the candidates' own words. Note: Candidate Lin-Dai Kendall did not return the survey. Oct. 5: Sheree Brown-Kaplan Oct. 6: Lolita Mancheno-Smoak Oct 7: Ryan McElveen Oct. 10: Ilryong Moon Oct. 11: Steve Stuban Oct. 12: Ted Velkoff Today, Lolita Mancheno-Smoak Is FCPS underfunded, overfunded, or properly funded at the current level? It …

Marta D. Saltus

12:59 pm on Sunday, October 23, 2011

"Ms. Mancheno-Smoak is one of the so-called reform candidates, but, unlike some of her counterparts who seem intent on refighting past controversies, she refreshingly is focused on the challenges confronting students. Foremost is her interest in the needs of at-risk students and shrinking the achievement gap, issues that are informed by her work as an educator and her immigrant background."  This…   more ›

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