Falls Church grad running for school board
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| Fateh |
Omar Fateh, a 2008 graduate of Falls Church High School, is
running for an at-large seat on the Fairfax County School Board, he says,
because he understands the issues faced by minority students and wants to close
the achievement gap.
running for an at-large seat on the Fairfax County School Board, he says,
because he understands the issues faced by minority students and wants to close
the achievement gap.
Other issues he wants to focus on include strengthening
community engagement and equitably managing the school system’s growth.
community engagement and equitably managing the school system’s growth.
Born in Washington, D.C., to immigrants from Somalia, Fateh
grew up in the Camelot neighborhood in Annandale and attended Camelot
Elementary School and Luther Jackson Middle School.
After he graduated from Falls Church High School, he
attended Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) and transferred to George
Mason University, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public administration.
attended Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) and transferred to George
Mason University, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public administration.
At Falls Church High School, Fateh acknowledges he was “an
average student at best” and had to retake the standardized tests after failing
the first time. He received tutoring assistance from members of the community
and religious institutions, which helped him recognize the value of community
support.
average student at best” and had to retake the standardized tests after failing
the first time. He received tutoring assistance from members of the community
and religious institutions, which helped him recognize the value of community
support.
He also benefited from NOVA’s Pathway program,
which helps students make the transition from high school, succeed in college,
and transfer to a four-year institution.
which helps students make the transition from high school, succeed in college,
and transfer to a four-year institution.
“I would tell every student to attend NOVA. It’s the best
choice possible,” he says. He worked as a NOVA Pathway advisor for two years
and currently works as a campaign finance analyst with the Federal Election Commission.
choice possible,” he says. He worked as a NOVA Pathway advisor for two years
and currently works as a campaign finance analyst with the Federal Election Commission.
All three at-large school board members – Ilryong Moon, Ryan
McElveen, and Ted Velkoff – are seeking re-election, as is Mason school board
member Sandy Evans.
McElveen, and Ted Velkoff – are seeking re-election, as is Mason school board
member Sandy Evans.
Fateh is running for an at-large seat because he doesn’t
want to run against Evans, whom he says “is doing a wonderful job.” He also
says he wants to represent minorities and students with special needs throughout
Fairfax County and tackle the achievement gap on a countywide basis.
want to run against Evans, whom he says “is doing a wonderful job.” He also
says he wants to represent minorities and students with special needs throughout
Fairfax County and tackle the achievement gap on a countywide basis.
“Fairfax County is a very diverse county, and the school
board is not really representative of that,” he says.
board is not really representative of that,” he says.
Many African American and Hispanic students have test scores
well below their peers, and Fateh believes they need someone on the school board
to represent their interests. As a Pathway advisor, he saw many minority
students at NOVA who had to take remedial courses, which meant a longer,
costlier stay in college.
well below their peers, and Fateh believes they need someone on the school board
to represent their interests. As a Pathway advisor, he saw many minority
students at NOVA who had to take remedial courses, which meant a longer,
costlier stay in college.
These students need more support, but, “it’s really hard for
them to get help from parents who work multiple jobs,” he says. “It’s a luxury
for these parents to go out on a weeknight to a PTA meeting.”
them to get help from parents who work multiple jobs,” he says. “It’s a luxury
for these parents to go out on a weeknight to a PTA meeting.”
With the school system facing a shortfall – since the Board
of Supervisors last month approved a FY 2016 that failed to accommodate the
school board’s funding request – Fateh realizes it’s not the best time to
create new programs.
of Supervisors last month approved a FY 2016 that failed to accommodate the
school board’s funding request – Fateh realizes it’s not the best time to
create new programs.
He would encourage community organizations, religious
institutions, and other private groups to provide tutoring and other services
to students who are lagging behind academically or have limited English skills.
“We can tap into community resources for a lot of these issues,” he says.
institutions, and other private groups to provide tutoring and other services
to students who are lagging behind academically or have limited English skills.
“We can tap into community resources for a lot of these issues,” he says.
When it comes to overcrowded schools – a big issue in Mason –
Fateh says he would oppose new residential development until school capacity is
addressed.
Fateh says he would oppose new residential development until school capacity is
addressed.
He would seek more input from students, as well as parents,
when considering solutions to overcrowded schools. “You have to go into the
community – and reach a larger crowd – to get a better understanding of what
the community wants,” he says. “Community engagement is really important.”
when considering solutions to overcrowded schools. “You have to go into the
community – and reach a larger crowd – to get a better understanding of what
the community wants,” he says. “Community engagement is really important.”
Fateh’s campaign kick-off is May 17, 1-3 p.m., at George Mason
University, HUB Room 1. He hopes his campaign will draw people who don’t
traditionally vote and who feel they are underrepresented.
University, HUB Room 1. He hopes his campaign will draw people who don’t
traditionally vote and who feel they are underrepresented.
When faced with the prospect of campaigning all over the
county, Fateh says, “I have all the energy in the world. I went to high school
not that long ago; I can connect with students.”
county, Fateh says, “I have all the energy in the world. I went to high school
not that long ago; I can connect with students.”
Is there a way to see the current members' voting records?
Great to see Omar's interest in the School Board. However, I don't think he's got much chance of winning an At-Large seat, and he needs to understand that School Board members have no say on whether there is additional residential development in the county.
He might have fared better if he was willing to challenge Sandy Evans and argue that Mason District has for too long been represented by School Board members who had ties to TJ and JEB Stuart and neglected Falls Church HS.
Don't a lot of Falls Church's students come from the Providence district?
Agree at large seats are hard to get but If you don't try you will never know. I think we are desperate for fresh ideas in the board and what better than a person who graduated from the same school system in recent years to given a chance improve it…