Mason Democrats to endorse Mason District school board candidate tomorrow

Anderson

The Mason District Democratic Committee (MDDC) will decide on April 24 whether to endorse Jessica Swanson or Ricardy Anderson for the Mason District position on the Fairfax County School Board.

Whoever gets the most votes at the endorsement meeting – 7:30 p.m. at Annandale High School – will most likely be elected to the school board.

That’s because the top vote-getter will most likely win the endorsement from the Fairfax County Democratic Committee on May 21 – and thus will appear on the ballot for the general election on Nov. 5.

Swanson

The candidate who does not win the Democratic endorsement is asked to pledge not to run as an independent. No Republican candidates have come forward as yet, and if they do, a Republican would have a hard time getting elected in heavily blue Mason District.

Both Anderson and Swanson have been campaigning hard in Mason District, even though only certified members of the Mason District Democratic Committee will be able to vote in the endorsement meeting. Here’s how they stack up:

Fundraising

Since Jan. 1, Swanson has raised $9,981, and Anderson has raised $6,358, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

Endorsements 

Anderson has received endorsements from the Fairfax Education Association, Supervisor Penny Gross, Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova, Rep. Gerry Connolly, Del. Alfonzo Lopez, Del. Marcus Simon, state Sen. Dave Marsden, Former Mason Crest Elementary School Principal Brian Butler, former Mason school board member Mary Anne Lecos, CASA in Action (an organization that advocates for immigrants’ rights), and Blue Virginia.


Swanson has been endorsed by state Sen. Dick Saslaw, state Sen. Dave Marsden, state Sen. Chap Petersen, Del. Kaye Kory, Del. Patrick Hope, and former U.S. Rep. Leslie Byrne.

Swanson’s statement submitted to the MDDC

“I’m an educator, long-time Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) advocate and Mason Democratic Committee member, and Nate and I are the parents of two future FCPS students.

“In my professional role at D.C. Public Schools, I work to make the budget prioritize students who need resources the most. Prior to this, I served for more than a decade in other education roles, starting with teaching middle school social studies at a public school in D.C.

“A licensed teacher, I hold a doctorate in education from the University of Virginia and a certificate in education finance from Georgetown University.

“I’ve fought for funding for FCPS and for removing the Confederate name from my neighborhood high school and raising funds for it to be renamed Justice. I also served on a Fairfax school board advisory committee. I am the only candidate in the race who has significant advocacy experience with FCPS. I’ve served on the Fairfax Dems’ education committee for several years.

“I will work to ensure:

• All students get the opportunity for an excellent education;  
• FCPS can competitively recruit and retain excellent educators and staff; 
• All students and families feel safe and welcomed; 
• Achievement gaps are prevented by expanding access to early childhood education for students from low-income households and those learning English; and 
• FCPS wisely spends our public budget dollars. 

“Attracting and retaining exceptional teachers is very important. You don’t get into teaching to get rich, but you shouldn’t have to work a second job to live in the county. Compensation is important. We need to ensure our compensation for teachers – and for staff – is competitive in the region and provides a living wage. Schools’ instructional climate, or working conditions, are also important. We need to create expectations and hold leaders accountable for creating positive school climates and respecting all educators and staff, treating them like the professionals they are.

“There is no panacea for student achievement. We need great leaders, empowered to lead in their specific contexts, and great teachers in every classroom. equipped to work with all students. Our educators need the resources to do the work. I will advocate for our students and families to ensure our students, no matter their backgrounds, get the opportunity for an excellent education. It’s not just the right thing to do. It’s right for the future of our neighborhoods and Fairfax County as a whole.

“Specifically, I’ll advocate to ensure Mason District’s schools continue to receive the extra teachers, or needs-based staffing, we get to support our students’ needs.

“As an educator and school board member, I would advocate for FCPS’ efforts in positive behavior interventions and supports, which aim to help students develop positive behaviors and safe schools. I would also advocate for restorative practices to prevent harm and for restorative justice in dealing with it.

“There are many ways the community can share input with the school administration and school board. However, there is work to be done to make such opportunities even easier to access. For example, the process for signing up to speak at a school board meeting would be daunting for a person learning English or someone lacking internet access. I believe strongly in the importance of family and community engagement in the success of the school system.

“In addition to responding to inquiries and outreach, I will offer regular town hall meetings in Mason District to hear from the community and share FCPS updates. I will aim to demystify the process of how to advocate within one’s school and to the school board and to offer multiple avenues that make it easier for non-native English speakers and those working multiple jobs to engage.

“I will leverage my significant budget experience to ensure FCPS spends our public funds wisely. I am familiar with navigating the trade-offs that must be made in building large school district budgets. Budgets show the lived strategy of an organization, so I will work to ensure FCPS’ strategic plan, Ignite, is reflected in the budget. Further, FCPS needs to make long-term planning part of the budgeting process when we adopt new initiatives.”

Anderson’s statement to the MDDC 

“As a 23-year career educator and 11-year active resident of the Mason District, I believe that I can bring positive changes to Fairfax County Public Schools. I am seeking to serve on the FCPS school board to advocate for all students, families, and communities. I believe in the power of public education as the great equalizer and producer of opportunity. It has always been my imperative as a classroom teacher and administrator to ensure that our children are ready to be successful once beyond our borders and that every available opportunity can be accessed by all our students.

“Many of the families and students of Mason District mirror my own background as I am a first-generation American whose family emigrated from Haiti. I understand the difficulties that our students and families face in navigating an unfamiliar community while learning a new language. Although my parents were not college graduates, they understood the value of education and with their encouragement, grants, a scholarship from the Army, part-time jobs, and determination, I went on to earn degrees from SUNY College at Buffalo (bachelor of science in elementary education), Howard University (master’s in education), and the University of the Pacific (Ed.D. in educational administration).

“I have worked in public education during my entire career, which began over 20 years ago in Prince George’s County Public Schools in Maryland. I am the parent of two elementary-aged students who attend school in Mason District. I have served as our HOA’s president for eight years and our family’s community involvement includes service in Girl Scouts, Mason District Little League, Annandale Boys and Girls Club, as well as volunteering at our children’s school.

“My professional life has always been closely coupled to the priorities of the school board. I have spent 23 years advocating for children and staff. As an educator with teaching and administrative experience in elementary and middle schools, I have a solid understanding of the challenges that face our students, teachers, and administrators.

“I have extensive experience with educational matters and will utilize my skills as a teacher, central office administrator, and building leader to address issues in areas such as instruction, discipline, special education, safety and security, professional development, and budget management from the lens of a practitioner. I have also had the chance to engage in this work across several states, so I am familiar with a variety of approaches to addressing complex issues.

“Given my professional background and personal experiences, I will be an effective voice for Mason District. My initial priorities will focus on ensuring that Mason District schools, which face significant challenges, are equitably provided with the needed resources to ensure that our students are able to thrive and access opportunities available in Fairfax County. The drive to foster equitable practices will be supported by the strategic implementation of One Fairfax. I will work to ensure Title I and other needs-based funding are aligned with Mason District needs and prevent irresponsible student ratios, especially in high-needs areas. County-wide expectations in the areas of communication, security, and programming would significantly reduce inequity among our schools.

“I will work to support efforts that invest in our teachers and in our facilities to provide the students of Mason District with quality learning experiences. To retain the best and most talented staff in FCPS, I will support the provision of competitive compensation for our teachers and staff. I will support the use of proven, research-based methods to support teacher development such as a Peer Assistance Review Program and Response to Intervention models to improve student progress and close the achievement gap.

“I intend to be a full-time school board member and pledge to volunteer at least one day per week in our schools in addition to attending events and participating in education-related opportunities.”