School board candidates spar on budget issues, renaming Stuart High School
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| From the left: Chris Grisafe, Karen Keys-Gamarra, and Michael Owens. |
Candidates for an at-large seat on the Fairfax County School
Board funding and school names at a candidate
forum Aug. 23 at McLean High School.
Board funding and school names at a candidate
forum Aug. 23 at McLean High School.
The special election is Aug. 29. The polls will be open 6 a.m.-7
p.m. The last day for in-person absentee voting is Aug. 26 at the Fairfax
County Government Center.
p.m. The last day for in-person absentee voting is Aug. 26 at the Fairfax
County Government Center.
The forum, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area, McLean Citizens Association, and Fairfax County Council of PTAs, featured these candidates:
- Chris Grisafe, a Coast Guard veteran who works in national
security, was endorsed by the Fairfax County Republican Committee. - Karen Keys-Gamarra, an attorney who represents children in
abuse, neglect, and special education cases and also serves on the Fairfax
County Planning Commission, was endorsed by the Fairfax County Democratic
Committee and the two teacher unions. - Michael Owens, president of the Belvedere Elementary School
PTA and a former teacher, is running as an independent.
A fourth candidate, Sandra Allen, did not appear at the
forum.
forum.
When asked about Fairfax County Public Schools’
continuing budget woes, Grisafe said three things are critical – independent
program evaluations, zero-based budgeting, and a management audit – to help the
board make informed business decisions.
continuing budget woes, Grisafe said three things are critical – independent
program evaluations, zero-based budgeting, and a management audit – to help the
board make informed business decisions.
“Zero-based budgeting sounds good but it’s a bureaucratic
nightmare,” Keys-Gamarra countered. “It’s not sustainable on a yearly basis.”
nightmare,” Keys-Gamarra countered. “It’s not sustainable on a yearly basis.”
“Fiscal responsibility and transparency are important to
me,” Keys-Gamarra said. “We have to be smart about our investments and we have
to involve the community in those decisions.”
me,” Keys-Gamarra said. “We have to be smart about our investments and we have
to involve the community in those decisions.”
She blamed the school system’s budget crunch on the economic
downturn, resulting in less tax revenue, and cuts in state funding, not fiscal
irresponsibility.
downturn, resulting in less tax revenue, and cuts in state funding, not fiscal
irresponsibility.
She would work on changing the state’s school funding
formula – not increasing taxes or giving the school board taxing authority. “We
send so much money to Richmond. The amount we get back is so insulting,” she
said.
formula – not increasing taxes or giving the school board taxing authority. “We
send so much money to Richmond. The amount we get back is so insulting,” she
said.
Owens also opposes tax increases and called for more creative
solutions for doing more with less money.
solutions for doing more with less money.
Grisafe criticized the school board vote to rename JEB Stuart High School, which he said divided the community.
“When people think about the name, they’re not thinking
about a Confederate soldier, they’re thinking about their friends, they’re
thinking about their neighborhood,” he said. Removing a school’s name “tears
the community apart unnecessarily.”
about a Confederate soldier, they’re thinking about their friends, they’re
thinking about their neighborhood,” he said. Removing a school’s name “tears
the community apart unnecessarily.”
Noting that it was students who brought up the issue of
changing the name of JEB Stuart High School, Keys-Gamarra said, “I applaud
their efforts. We’re going to have to have hard discussions. We cannot shy away
from the hard things.”
changing the name of JEB Stuart High School, Keys-Gamarra said, “I applaud
their efforts. We’re going to have to have hard discussions. We cannot shy away
from the hard things.”
She disagreed with Grisafe’s assertion that the issue was
divisive. “The conversations I’ve been able to have were not accusatory or
hostile or disrespectful,” she said. “We had an opportunity to grow as a
community. We need to come together and move forward.”
divisive. “The conversations I’ve been able to have were not accusatory or
hostile or disrespectful,” she said. “We had an opportunity to grow as a
community. We need to come together and move forward.”
Keys-Gamarra said “creating a safe and respectful
environment for our children should be a priority,” especially in the wake of
the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville earlier this month.
environment for our children should be a priority,” especially in the wake of
the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville earlier this month.
“We need to move on,” Owens said, noting that discussions
about renaming Stuart went on too long. “It was not an appropriate name in 1958
and it’s not an appropriate name today.”
about renaming Stuart went on too long. “It was not an appropriate name in 1958
and it’s not an appropriate name today.”
In response to a question about how they would enforce nondiscrimination
policies during a period when racial tensions are rising nationwide, Grisafe
talked about the need to promote civility, respect, and common decency.
policies during a period when racial tensions are rising nationwide, Grisafe
talked about the need to promote civility, respect, and common decency.
“Every child deserves to learn in a respectful environment,”
Keys-Gamarra said. She called for programs to counter bullying and train
students to be leaders and to respect their peers. “We need to embrace our
diversity. It is an asset,” she said.
Keys-Gamarra said. She called for programs to counter bullying and train
students to be leaders and to respect their peers. “We need to embrace our
diversity. It is an asset,” she said.
“We can have policies but kids need concrete guidelines on
what to say and what to do when they see bullying,” Owens said.
what to say and what to do when they see bullying,” Owens said.
When it comes to whether “ideological” issues, such as
gender identify should be a priority, Owens said, “It’s important for children
to feel safe. A child that doesn’t feel safe can’t learn.”
gender identify should be a priority, Owens said, “It’s important for children
to feel safe. A child that doesn’t feel safe can’t learn.”
Keys-Gamarra called for less of an emphasis on standardized
tests, like Virginia’s Standards of Learning, to measure teacher and school performance.
Critical thinking, communication, and other skills are important, too, she
said. “There is so much more to education than just passing a test.”
tests, like Virginia’s Standards of Learning, to measure teacher and school performance.
Critical thinking, communication, and other skills are important, too, she
said. “There is so much more to education than just passing a test.”
Owens called the SOLs “a huge distraction. Quantitative
assessments are needed but shouldn’t be done in a way that disrupts the
educational process,” she said.
assessments are needed but shouldn’t be done in a way that disrupts the
educational process,” she said.
“A quantitative, top-down approach is not effective”;
qualitative measures are needed, too, Grisafe said.
qualitative measures are needed, too, Grisafe said.
When asked about the minority achievement gap, Keys-Gamarra
called for a stronger focus on early childhood education and more efforts to
hire minority teachers and ensure all teachers know about and implement best
practices.
called for a stronger focus on early childhood education and more efforts to
hire minority teachers and ensure all teachers know about and implement best
practices.
“Our obligation to support all students is not just a legal
obligation, it’s a moral obligation,” Owens said. Special programs to benefit
students in special education and English language learners benefit all
students, she said.
obligation, it’s a moral obligation,” Owens said. Special programs to benefit
students in special education and English language learners benefit all
students, she said.
Grisafe agreed that it’s important to provide every student
a quality education, said attendance is critical, and called for giving
teachers more flexibility.
a quality education, said attendance is critical, and called for giving
teachers more flexibility.
Both Keys-Gamarra and Owens oppose giving parents vouchers
to send their children to private schools, while Grisafe was more accepting of
the idea. “We should be able to consider any idea and see if it makes sense
for our community,” he said.
to send their children to private schools, while Grisafe was more accepting of
the idea. “We should be able to consider any idea and see if it makes sense
for our community,” he said.
“I’m concerned about sending money outside the school system
when we are facing a shortfall,” Keys-Gamarra said. That would drain our budget while taking money
away from providing a high-quality education for every child.
when we are facing a shortfall,” Keys-Gamarra said. That would drain our budget while taking money
away from providing a high-quality education for every child.
Noting that Fairfax County has one of the best school
systems in the country, Grisafe said, “we can’t afford to have a school that places
political and social preferences before our children’s education.” He vowed to
listen to the community and called for “pragmatic common-sense decisions.”
systems in the country, Grisafe said, “we can’t afford to have a school that places
political and social preferences before our children’s education.” He vowed to
listen to the community and called for “pragmatic common-sense decisions.”
“I will be a voice for diversity,” said Keys-Gamarra. She
also promised to be “a voice for teachers and staff members on the front lines
every day, to be a voice for sound budget decisions, and to be a voice for every child and for every citizen,” she said.
also promised to be “a voice for teachers and staff members on the front lines
every day, to be a voice for sound budget decisions, and to be a voice for every child and for every citizen,” she said.
Owens stressed her status as a non-traditional, nonpartisan
candidate. “This is about the children of Fairfax County,” she said. “We want
them to have the best education possible.”
candidate. “This is about the children of Fairfax County,” she said. “We want
them to have the best education possible.”
"She [Keys-Gamarra] disagreed with Grisafe’s assertion that the issue was divisive. 'The conversations I’ve been able to have were not accusatory or hostile or disrespectful,' she said. 'We had an opportunity to grow as a community. We need to come together and move forward.'"
Every reader of the Annandale Blog know that the Stuart name change was extraordinarily divisive.
I completely agree with you. It has been very divisive and poorly handled. The time and money… Let alone the Board did what it wanted disregarding the community. The fact that she cannot see it, makes the other two candidates far more attractive.
It is the name "JEB Stuart HS" that is divisive, not the fact that people are now willing and able to discuss the name. And, in any event, it appears Keys-Gamarra was referring to her own discussions regarding the issue as not being particularly hostile, a good sign given the way that other school board members such as Elizabeth Schultz use it as a dog whistle to appeal to those on the far right.
Mr. Grisafe's notable qualifications for the At-Large SB seat have been overlooked in this article.
Readers deserve the full picture. Chris Grisafe served as an appointed member of the FCPS School Bonds Committee, Superintendent's business Advisory Committee and Adult Education Advisory Committee.
During last night's debate Mr. Grisafe pointed out practical avenues to fiscal responsibility such as zero base budgeting. It's a common practice and prudent. Our School Board needs to have hard discussions about eliminating unnecessary expenditures and get back to serving the needs of students. There are have and have not schools in Fairfax County and the disparity in teacher/students supplies and infrastructure maintenance is telling.
Mr. Grisafe offers a much needed fresh perspective and potential solutions.
To say that the Stuart name change issue has not been divisive indicates a blatant disregard of the facts. It also ignores the possibility of that the disregard of community sentiment and the School Board's lack of transparency and process may be repeated at Lee and Woodson High Schools. In a time of budget shortfalls, available funds should be allocated to issues that actually benefit the students. Stuart has a number of special needs and 65% of the students are on free/reduced lunch. Where are the SB's priorities?
It was also interesting to see Ms.Keys-Gamarra's retreat from giving taxing authority to the SB. It would seem that voters rejection of the meals tax made an impression.
The SB faces numerous challenges and needs new voices and perspectives. Towing the party line, ignoring divisive issues and implying that more money is the solution is no longer the answer.
That's why I,m voting for Chris Grisafe.
The renaming was not divisive, those who opposed the name change were divisive — they emailed vitriolic messages throughout the Lake Barcroft and Sleepy Hollow communities, spreading false statements and pitting neighbors against each other. They accused the NAACP of acting against our community, when they have supported our community for longer than either the Lake Barcroft or SH community has existed.
Voting for Grisafe will work to bring balance to a Board that pushes a progressive agenda and leaves education in the dust. Ms. Keys-Gamarra's position is of a social agenda and is not about the dynamics of educations. The Board and system has dumbed down the expectations of our students as they relate to academics. When I hear a candidate say we need to train our students to be leaders and we need to hire more teachers of minority — I know that is the usual mantra of someone who understands very little about Fairfax County Public Schools. As a system we have been graduating leaders and hiring qualified teachers to include those with a minority backgrounds for many years. We don't need inappropriate soundbites from for Ms. Keys-Gamarra to use. She has no idea what she is speaking of which is proven by her back and forth responses pertaining to the issue of school name changing and her support for school system increased taxation. Her budgetary knowledge appears to be minimal as does her knowledge about teacher retention which is low BTW. I don't think we need such a person to jump on the "school board band wagon". Instead we need a thoughtful person on the Board to ask why. We need someone who is innovative, who understands education, and finance. This Democrat candidate falls short in too many categories to even count.
ETB, you should read the One Fairfax Resolution to better understand what our elected officials are all committed to, have committed to do, with regard to equity and inclusion in Fairfax County. Karen Keys-Gamarra is the right choice for us, for all of us, to promote equity and inclusion in our school system.
I proudly support Karen Keys-Gamarra for the school board and equity in our schools!
Changing the name of JEB Stuart HS is not divisive at all…it's actually quite the opposite. The name change is simply correcting a past wrong made by FFC. JEB Stuart HS was given its name in 1958 fours years after the decision in Brown v. The board of education to integrate segregated schools throughout the U.S. It was named JEB Stuart with the primary purpose of alienating its minority students and rejecting the decision made by the Supreme Court. If we're honest with ourselves, we'd ask why has the Confederate flag been scrubbed from the original logo and building walls if we're so proud? Why was it named after JEB Stuart in the late 50's during the civil rights era and not shortly after the war? And why does hanging onto a Confederate name who fought for slavery mean so much to me? We've slowly sterilized the name and logo over the years because deep down we know it's wrong. Changing the name gives all students a sense a pride and belonging not just a select few. There are a lot of great Americans and Union generals who the school could be named after. Let's change the name and move on.
I don't think you know the meaning of the word "divisive".
I think you were up very late last night. The name change includes many many more than it "divides"
Change the name and take down the statues and all the problems in Fairfax County Schools will go away. Just wait and see.
Who proposed this idiotic PC plan anyway! Certainly not the tax payers!!
So take down every statue, and rename Robert E. Lee High school while you're at it. Stop with this political BS in our schools and focus on educating our youth! I'm so sick of Fairfax giving into this PC BS and I've been living here 30 years of my life!
Please, democrats and republicans, you must know that Grisafe is endorsed by the white supremacist group "Resistance Media" — this is terrifying.
Karen, on the other hand, is endorsed by the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers!
Support our schools and vote for Karen Keys-Gamarra!!
They endorsed him because he is a white male. He didn't ask for it. And, he should not even bother to acknowledge it. Ignore them or give them power – like all of the people pointing this crap out. He is practical and has a lot of experience.
So be it then
I tend to think Keys-Gamarra's presence on the School Board earlier would have been very helpful on a range of issues. She brings a perspective as a minority (and minority parent) that other School Board members sorely lack, and perhaps speaking from personal experience would have led FCPS to move with greater speed rather than prolong the Stuart name change discussions over a two-year period. In any event, I can attest as a JEB Stuart alum that we were very much aware that our school was named to honor a Confederate general who fought to keep some of our classmates' ancestors enslaved, even though an effort had been made over the years to sanitize Stuart and make him a cuddly mascot (for example, by removing the Confederate flag from the gym floor and painting a mural in a workout room with a picture of a buff JEB Stuart). I am glad this school board finally did the right thing by deciding to rename the school and can only imagine how embarrassed they would have been had they decided to keep the name only a few weeks before the obscene events unfolded in Charlottesville. I will happily vote for Keys-Gamarra.
Not divisive! Keys-Gamarra is simply out of touch.
Grisafe will do his best as promised on his website to cut funding for smaller class sizes in higher poverty areas. Which means he is NOT RIGHT FOR Mason District.
Karen Keys-Gamarra is the right answer for Mason District and Fairfax County!
Grisafe didn't say that. Get real.
You probably need to learn to read – never said cut funding for smaller class size – said make classes smaller.
"Children cannot learn when they are jammed into classrooms like sardines – whether in elementary, middle or high school. A reasonable class size for all students is imperative. I will insist on analysis of the disparity in class sizes throughout the county so that common sense decisions based on fact and equitable metrics can be made to benefit all of our students."
Can someone please tell me when electing people to a school board became so political? What is really at stake here that so many elected officials are spending HUGE sums of money sending me fliers and leaving me voicemails to make sure that their party's candidate is elected? These are the questions we should be asking ourselves. I am deeply troubled that we have resorted to truly believing that one party over the other cares more about our children. Shame on all of us for falling into their trap.
So why am I receiving mailers from Gerry Connolly telling me that Keys-Gamarra is "a good Democrat"? Is this a good qualification for school board? What is going on here?
Wrong, Ms.Keys-Gmarra. The JEB Stuart name issue is divisive and has truly splintered our community.
Schools keep giving into the political BS
The schools in which I've taught don't give in to anything; we're too busy teaching. It takes a lot of time and energy, don't you know?