Following are the candidates’ answers in their own words. Responses have been edited for space and clarity.

DISTRICT A

Willie Bailey

DISTRICT A

Bailey was raised in public housing and educated in the ACPS system. A single dad, he served on City Council from 2015-2018. He is a 21-year Army veteran and currently Deputy Fire Chief with Fairfax County Fire and Rescue.

Why are you running for School Board?

I'm running for school board to ensure we do what's right for our kids. I devote much of my time to combating educational barriers such as poverty and homelessness. Through my nonprofit Firefighters and Friends to the Rescue, I organize a coalition of volunteers and nonprofits to support children in need each year. As a father, firefighter, veteran, and former city council member, I know that I can be the strong voice for all of our students, parents, educators, and staff.

Do you support having School Resource Officers in schools? Why or why not?

Trained Student Resource Officers currently play an important role in mediating conflicts and helping ensure our students receive their education in a safe environment. In the brief time that SROs were gone this year, we saw physical altercations between students, individuals bringing guns onto campuses, and other events that endangered our children and resulted in the police being called anyway. If more funds were added for mental counseling and support I'd advocate for taking a cautious, data driven approach to evaluating if SROs were no longer needed.

What is the biggest challenge facing ACPS?

COVID-19, the variants, and downstream impacts for students, parents, and educators is the greatest challenge ACPS is facing today. I will also work tirelessly to expand access to early education, develop mentorship programs, and close the achievement gap so that everyone can succeed.

If elected, what will be your top priority?

My top priority will be ensuring that we safely navigate COVID-19, the variants, and any downstream impacts. I’ll prioritize addressing capacity issues to ensure our facilities keep pace with our growing student body and also fight to ensure our teachers and staff receive fair compensation.

What role/input, if any, do you believe parents should have in decisions such as vaccine mandates, SROs and curriculum?

I believe that parents, as voters, have the ultimate say in critical decisions like vaccine mandates, SROs, and curriculum - that's why this election is so important since the leaders put in place on the school board and at the state level will make these critical decisions. I also believe there should be greater transparency and communication between the school board and members of the community on an ongoing basis so that parents’ voices continue to be heard after Election Day.

Aloysius “Ish” Boyle

DISTRICT A

Married to a Fairfax County public school teacher, Ish Boyle is the father of two ACPS students, He currently works in cybersecurity after serving seven years in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Why are you running for School Board?

Running for school board presents an opportunity to help invest in and impact Alexandrians who will be the leaders of our tomorrow. As a father of two ACPS students, I care deeply about the quality of education in our public schools and the opportunity for all of our students to achieve and maximize their potential. 

Do you support having School Resource Officers in schools? Why or why not?

I stand with our principals, administrators, and teachers who have made it abundantly clear that they rely on SROs for their support and specialized skills. Multiple weapons have been brought onto school property this year to include a loaded firearm, and there have been widely reported violent fights on and around school property. Some city council candidates minimize this by saying, "Well, there have always been fights." When do we progress beyond the status quo? We need to provide an atmosphere where our students and teachers are safe and can do their best.

What is the biggest challenge facing ACPS?

The biggest challenge facing ACPS is lack of leadership, accountability, and transparent communications from ACPS Central Office. This has manifested itself in myriad ways over the last 18 months; from not having a phased approach to back-to-school learning, the introduction of political agendas into our schools, the poor planning and communication in going back to school this fall, and prematurely pulling forward the Superintendent's contract for a three-year renewal. Without accountability, an organization, teacher, or student may never achieve their potential. I am committed to protecting our children’s education and future and believe that there is more that unites us than divides us.

If elected, what will be your top priority?

Creating a culture of excellence in our schools will be my top priority. This starts with providing safe schools where every student can achieve their potential and teachers can differentiate to optimize all the gifts and talents of each learner. At the grade school and middle school level, it is highly concerning that pre-pandemic, 40 percent of ACPS children weren’t reading at grade level. Post pandemic, those numbers range between 55 – 75 percent pending demographics. We need to enable teachers and classes for differentiation to meet our students’ needs. ACPS should provide rigorous and engaging courses for all learners.

What role/input, if any, do you believe parents should have in decisions such as vaccine mandates, SROs and curriculum?

Parents know what is best for their children. They should receive timely and transparent communications from their children's schools and have complete and easy access to the curriculum, as well as authority and informed consent on medical decisions. To date, the voices of taxpayers, parents (as well as teachers, administrators, and principals) haven't been heard due to feckless leadership, unions, and special interests. This needs to change. A strong school system values an active and collaborative role from parents in decisions related to their children's education.

Jacinta Greene

DISTRICT A

Greene is an independent marketing consultant and meeting planner. She was elected to the School Board in 2018 and is an advocate for disadvantaged women and children.

Why are you running for School Board?

I believe that a community is only as strong as its public schools. All students deserve a quality education. Also, I believe, especially in light of the challenges of the past few years, our schools, our teachers, and our students need consistency and strong leadership to not only recover, but also excel moving forward. I am running for reelection because we need school board members who are ready to work on day one and continue the progress we have made.

Do you support having School Resource Officers in schools? Why or why not?

I believe, from the bottom of my heart, that the safety of our students and schools is of the utmost importance but also that we can keep our schools safe without a police presence. There are too many unintended consequences to having SROs in schools. I disagree with the manner in which SROs were removed from our schools. As a part of the school board’s  review of the SRO program in 2020, we moved to require data reporting and transparency. It was our hope that we could gather the necessary information to make an informed decision about the program during our next review in 2022. 

What is the biggest challenge facing ACPS?

I believe the academic achievement gap, particularly amongst our black and brown students, who make up 60 percent of our student body. Access to resources drives the achievement gap among black and brown students. We need to do a better job of making sure students across ACPS have access to the resources they need to succeed. This means making sure students and their families are aware of the resources, the processes to access those resources are publicized, transparent, and fair, and additional accommodations are made available, including language services and other necessary help to access the services and resources.

If elected, what will be your top priority?

My top priority if I am reelected is closing the academic achievement gap. It is clear that if we do not tackle this issue head on problems will persist for these students and the community at large

What role/input, if any, do you believe parents should have in decisions such as vaccine mandates, SROs and curriculum?

I believe that communities are only as strong as their public schools and schools are only as strong as their community. That is why I championed the inclusion of new digital communication tools in our strategic plan.We need to make sure all members of the community, especially those from underrepresented groups and communities, are aware of the opportunity to participate in the process.

Deanne Ohlandt

DISTRICT A

Ohlandt works as a freelance editor for academic articles. She previously worked as an arts teacher and a special education aide and is the parent of three ACPS students.

Why are you running for School Board?

The plans and decisions being made now will shape ACPS for years to come. As an educator and an ACPS parent, I want to be part of those conversations, to advocate for equitable and creative approaches to giving all students an excellent education.

Do you support having School Resource Officers in schools? Why or why not?

My concern is how to best create a school environment where everyone feels safe. It is clear from the conversations that have arisen recently that some people did not feel safe in the school buildings in the way that the SRO program was operating. It is just as clear from these conversations that some people do not feel safe without SROs in the building. We urgently need to seek alternatives to the SRO system as it has operated previously, listening thoughtfully to a diverse range of voices.

What is the biggest challenge facing ACPS?

The challenges of the ongoing COVID pandemic have disrupted our children’s schooling for the third academic year in a row and exposed our failing facilities and the precariousness of our ability to hire and retain staff. ACPS has been recognized as the most diverse school division in Virginia and the #12 most diverse school system in the country, which is a wonderful label for us to celebrate, but also highlights how challenging it is for us to ensure equitable access to resources and support for all our students and families coming from such a wide range of backgrounds and needing a wide range of supports to achieve their full potential.

If elected, what will be your top priority?

ACHS is the largest high school in Virginia. However, research shows that in very large high schools some students "fall through the cracks" because it is harder for peers, teachers, and staff to know each student as an individual. I want to see some structural mechanisms that help to ensure every student has adults in the school who know them individually and can provide academic, career, and social support.

What role/input, if any, do you believe parents should have in decisions such as vaccine mandates, SROs and curriculum?

For system-wide decisions, ACPS parents and families should have the same input that any concerned and informed citizen of Alexandria can have into the policy-making work of the school board. I am a parent of three kids currently enrolled at ACPS and I will listen to other ACPS families and seek out those who are not as active as others in the public conversations.

Michelle Rief

DISTRICT A

Rief is a first-term member of the School Board. She is a former college professor and education nonprofit executive and parent of three ACPS students.

Why are you running for School Board?

I’m running for re-election to the Alexandria School Board because I believe that every young person in our city deserves a great education. I also believe that strong public schools are essential to thriving communities.

Do you support having School Resource Officers in schools? Why or why not?

I believe that we can have safe schools without police officers stationed full-time in our buildings. The removal of SROs has been a divisive issue in our community and I believe a deeper conversation about safety in our schools is warranted. I support additional funding for counseling, trauma-informed care and restorative practices.

What is the biggest challenge facing ACPS?

The biggest challenge facing ACPS is continuing to manage the impact of COVID-19 on our school division. Administrators are collaborating with the health department on contact tracing efforts and working to provide quality instruction for quarantined students. Also, retaining high-quality professionals and support staff is essential for the advancement of our school division.

If elected, what will be your top priority?

My top priority is promoting the academic achievement and wellness of each and every student in Alexandria City Public Schools.

What role/input, if any, do you believe parents should have in decisions such as vaccine mandates, SROs and curriculum?

As a School Board member, I value parent input, as well as the professional expertise of educators and public health experts. I rely on this input, local data and evidenced-based best practices to inform my decisions.

DISTRICT B

Deborah Jean Ash

DISTRICT B

Ash is recently retired from the Foreign Service arm of the State Department and has a granddaughter who attends ACHS.

Why are you running for School Board?

I am running for School Board in District B because our academic programs in Alexandria need improvement and prioritization. Some schools only recently received accreditation – a minimal level of success in one of the most highly-educated geographical areas in the nation. We must focus on the academic success of our students, not on divisive social agendas that serve to take us backward instead of forward.

Do you support having School Resource Officers in schools? Why or why not?

I absolutely support SROs in schools. In the past they developed strong mentoring relationships with students and maintained a safe environment. If additional funds are added to ACPS budget, I support hiring qualified mental health counselors to support students and staff and work alongside the SROs. Combining SROs on school properties to deal with mental health professionals will provide an environment where everyone can progress and prosper.

What is the biggest challenge facing ACPS?

In other surveys I said equality for all rather than equity for all. I will adapt that to say, education excellence for all. We also need to move past COVID and all the changes and challenges it brought to our lives. 

If elected, what will be your top priority?

The focus should be on making the learning environment safe and conducive to bringing out the best of each students’ abilities and helping them to achieve their desired goals. All children, regardless of race, ethnicity or economic status, must learn reading, writing, math, science, how to balance a checkbook, American history, the Constitution and Civics, and many other basic subjects to shape them into educated, productive, and contributing citizens of the United States.

 What role/input, if any, do you believe parents should have in decisions such as vaccine mandates, SROs and curriculum?

Parents are the natural and God-given authority in their children’s lives to make decisions regarding their health and wellbeing. The mandatory vaccines for staff and student athletes was a poor decision taken by the school board last month. A school board is not a medical authority. Additionally, parents must have input into the curriculum being taught to their children.

Kelly Carmichael Booz

DISTRICT B

Booz, the parent of two ACPS students, served on the School Board from 2013-2015. She is married to a Fairfax County public school teacher and works for the American Federation of Teachers.

Why are you running for School Board?

With our schools open full-time, we must work to ensure long-term learning and social-emotional recovery from the impact of COVID-19. When I previously served on the Alexandria School Board in 2013-2015, seven of us on the nine-member body were brand new to the board. Given the critical time we are in with school reopening, learning recovery, and other important issues impacting Alexandria, experience counts as we map the future.

Do you support having School Resource Officers in schools? Why or why not?

The sudden decision to remove SROs overruled security recommendations of our school-level principals and lacked sufficient community engagement. A substantive and thoughtful conversation about the role of policing in our society is essential. I want every student and staff member in ACPS to feel safe — physically and emotionally. As a school board member, I look forward to working with the new Council to re-engage on this debate and form a working group with the community to address mental health, security and systemic racism in disciplinary actions with a solution that supports our schools in the 2023 fiscal year.

What is the biggest challenge facing ACPS?

The COVID-19 pandemic has been massively disruptive to our students and their learning. We need to support our teachers, focus on student success, and work with City Council on funding so we can close the learning gap and social-emotional gap that’s only increased over the last year.

If elected, what will be your top priority?

Alexandria Public School students spent most of the 2020/2021 school year out of school with virtual learning. No matter how diligently students, teachers, parents and caregivers worked, the reality is we have learning and knowledge gaps to overcome. Our budget and priorities must close this learning gap with a focus on reading and math specialists, after-school tutoring, and in-person summer learning.

What role/input, if any, do you believe parents should have in decisions

such as vaccine mandates, SROs and curriculum?

As elected officials, it’s important to seek input from all stakeholders such as parents, caregivers, school leadership, teachers, support staff, students, scientists, and experts in related fields to make the most informed decision. Alexandria is an incredibly diverse community with over 122 native languages spoken at home in ACPS that we represent on the school board. As School Board members we must seek input from all voices within our community.

Tammy Ignacio

DISTRICT B

Ignacio is recently retired following an extensive 30-year career in ACPS as both an educator and administrator. Her most recent position was as Lead Administrator for Special Instruction at Alexandria City High School.

What are you running for School Board? 

I want all our students, families, and community to thrive in ACPS as much as my children and I have. I want to ensure all students have equitable access to programs and services and to be an active voice for all students.

Do you support having School Resource Officers in schools? Why or why not?

I 100 percent support SROs in schools. As a 30-year educator, I have seen firsthand the positive impact of the SROs in schools and the positive relationships they form. Much of what we have seen on social media on these issues is the conflation of our local community and a larger national conversation. We have to do what is right for our community and I firmly believe SROs are a layer of support our schools need for safety. I also fully support more funding and resources for mental health. It is needed now more than ever. We value both and we can do both.

What is the biggest challenge facing ACPS?

I would say our biggest challenge today is helping our schools support our students as they are displaying more and more unsafe behaviors. Our students have returned to school after 18 months in a virtual learning setting and they have come back with many issues that we have to help them with. We have to take time to pause, stop what we are doing, and establish connections before being able to teach content.

If elected, what will be your top priority? 

My top priority is and has always been the safety of our students and staff. I want to ensure that our staff can come to work ready to teach and our students ready to learn, without worrying about the next incident that could happen. I would never advocate for eliminating safety measures for mental health measures, or vice-versa. Both of these areas need to be supported and funded.

What role/input, if any, do you believe parents should have in decisions such as vaccine mandates, SROs and curriculum? 

I think that parent input and feedback is critical. They are part of the customer base and their views are very important. That said, I believe that leaders make decisions after hearing from and consulting parents but not everyone can or will be happy with those decisions. Our teachers are the experts and they are involved in writing the curriculum in our schools. Ultimately I would say decisions would be made by the leaders after feedback is sought.

Pree Ann Johnson

DISTRICT B

Johnson had a 36-year career with Alexandria Public Schools before her recent retirement as Principal of Polk Elementary School.

Why are you running for School Board?

Working with the staff, students and families in ACPS has been my lifelong career. I have experience, historical knowledge and expertise in Alexandria that makes me a good candidate for school board. 

Do you support having School Resource Officers in schools? Why or why not?

I have been actively involved in efforts to return the SROs to our schools. As a school administrator I have worked with SROs and believe that their role has been misunderstood. As newly elected board members, we will be charged with presenting data as it relates to the impact of SROs and SSOs. We will need to explore options that support relationship building, de-escalation training and increasing mental health supports in ways that result in a decrease in dangerous behaviors.

What is the biggest challenge facing ACPS?

The most important issue is the physical and mental health of students, teachers, and families. Having the kids in school is definitely the right choice; however with the variants and the lack of a vaccine for younger children, we still have to be vigilant about the health and safety of the school community.

If elected, what will be your top priority?

Implementing a whole child approach to education in which children not only develop academic skills, but also the social-emotional, physical, and other cognitive skills. Also, issues of equity and creating environments that are inclusive in which every child and family feels welcome, respected and valued in their school community. We must ensure that our K-12 curriculum is preparing students for their impending future and give students the critical thinking and practical skills that guarantee their success.

What role/input, if any, do you believe parents should have in decisions such as vaccine mandates, SROs and curriculum?

It is important that we listen to and understand the perspective of our parents in every single issue that is facing the schools. However, as we have seen over the past year or so, there will always be a variety of viewpoints in all areas including mandates, SROs, and approaches to teaching and learning. It therefore becomes the responsibility of school boards and school leadership to listen, gather data and research the best options for the community at large. 

Ricardo Roberts

DISTRICT B

Roberts is a frequent participant at ACPS board meetings. He did not respond to requests.

Ashley Simpson Baird

DISTRICT B

Baird, a mother of three, is a former teacher, administrator, teacher trainer, researcher and ACPS parent.

Why are you running for School Board?

Running for School Board is something that I have wanted to do ever since I was a teacher. I left the classroom 10 years ago to complete my Ph.D. because I wanted to have a greater impact on public education. I have more than 20 years of experience improving public education and I bring multiple perspectives to making decisions that would impact our schools.

 Do you support having School Resource Officers in schools? Why or why not?

The question we need to be asking is how do we ensure that our schools are emotionally and physically safe for all students and staff. I feel strongly that Council should not unilaterally be making further decisions about future plans for school safety. That conversation has to happen with ACPS and in particular with the students and staff who are directly impacted by this on a daily basis. There are workable solutions that may include retaining SROs in a reformed program, but these solutions should be rooted in the perspectives of those directly impacted by SROs in schools.

What is the biggest challenge facing ACPS?

ACPS has experienced longstanding disparities in educational outcomes that largely fall along racial and socioeconomic lines. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these inequities. There is much to be gleaned from other school districts that have effectively closed opportunity gaps, including having a strong early literacy program, using improvement science to drive decision making, developing school leader pipelines, and strengthening our Multi-Tiered Systems of Support to ensure that students receive appropriate and timely interventions.

If elected, what will be your top priority?

My top priority will be to ensure that our policy and budgetary decisions will support educators in addressing unfinished learning and providing adequate social and emotional supports.

What role/input, if any, do you believe parents should have in decisions such as vaccine mandates, SROs and curriculum?

When students started learning from home in 2020, many parents and caregivers got a glimpse into their child’s classroom experience for the first time. Consequently, many started paying more attention to the decisions that were being made about their child’s education. I see this as an important shift and one to leverage in post-pandemic schooling. I want families to feel like their concerns are valid and their voices are heard.

Bridget Westfall

DISTRICT B

Westfall is an ACPS parent and works as a grants manager at the Department of Health and Human Services, in the division for children and families.

Why are you running for School Board?

I am running for school board as an advocate for children and public schools. We need leaders who evaluate every decision with this question: Is this in the best interest of our students and our public school system? Whether you are a multi-generational Alexandrian or a new American, you are welcome here and deserve an excellent public education through safe and successful schools.

Do you support having School Resource Officers in schools? Why or why not?

I see School Resource Officers, mental health resources and restorative justice as complimentary. I have worked as a deputy juvenile officer in K-12 public schools and that experience shapes my support of School Resource Officers. I think we need to have a community roundtable, where all voices are heard and any reforms are made, including diversity, equity, inclusion training, working with students with special education needs, students with disabilities or students of color or language learners. We also need to invest in community violence prevention programs from pre-K through 12th.

What is the biggest challenge facing ACPS?

As we enter a third year in a pandemic, transparency in school board decisions and communication with the parents and community of Alexandria City Public Schools is the most pressing issue. After 18 months in a virtual or hybrid learning environment, parents and community members want the school board and ACPS leadership to maintain open and honest lines of communication with them.

If elected, what will be your top priority?

My top priority is managing the superintendent. I value that we have a hometown leader that our students can look up to and our superintendent's professional accomplishments. I will treat him with the utmost respect and professionalism and have a collaborative, performance management framework to manage the superintendent. At the same time, I think that the current board did not manage the superintendent as far as planning and implementation in the pandemic.

What role/input, if any, do you believe parents should have in decisions such as vaccine mandates, SROs and curriculum?

I see parent voices as important partners in public education. We need more ways for parents and caregivers to provide input, especially parents who are often not represented in the discussions. We have a large international population and language learners, who might not be familiar with the democratic process. We need more opportunities for families to have real partnerships with the school.

DISTRICT C

Meagan Alderton

DISTRICT C

First elected in 2018, Alderton currently serves as the ACPS board chair. She is a special education teacher and previously taught at George Washington Middle School, Francis C. Hammond Middle School and Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School.

Why are you running for School Board?

We have spent the past three years moving forward with our 2025 Strategic plan which is centered around racial equity. In 2025, our conversations about over-identification of students of color in special-education, improved literacy instruction in grades K-4, graduation rates for Hispanic males, and access to Talented and Gifted programs and Honors courses for students of color should look different.

Do you support having School Resource Officers in schools? Why or why not?

Last year, I voted to maintain the MOU with the Alexandria Police Department and I stand by that vote. While I understand the intent of those who do not support SROs in schools, good SRO programs actually work to keep students out of the criminal justice system. Relationships with highly trained police officers are critical to that work. As someone trained in Crisis Prevention, policing is a behavior that is not unique to the policing profession. We need to address racist practices in all of our institutions if we are going to get the change that we desire. It literally takes a village, and our police officers are an active part of that equation.

What is the biggest challenge facing ACPS?

Over the next few years, academic and social-emotional recovery are going to be our most important focus. We had the data prior to the pandemic that showed us the pervasive opportunity gaps that impacted our students with disabilities, our English language learners and our students of color. COVID has put an even larger lens on these issues. Capacity will continue to be a challenge. We need to be creative in our approach in acquiring additional space for more schools in the city, while also expanding existing sites as much as we are able to.

If elected, what will be your top priority?

I will work to ensure that we achieve our strategic goals and that our students exceed our expectations for academic and social-emotional growth. I will also be diligent about our modernization projects by making sure that our CIP meets our current and future needs.

What role/input, if any, do you believe parents should have in decisions such as vaccine mandates, SROs and curriculum?

Parents are stakeholders and their input should always be welcomed into the decision-making process. Those channels for communication and input should always be open and structured to increase engagement across all types of families including our immigrant families, who may feel ostracized from the process due to language and cultural barriers.

Abdel-Rahman Elnoubi

DISTRICT C

Elnoubi is the child of immigrants from Alexandria, Egypt. He is a project manager for the Washington Metro Area Transit Authority and father to two ACPS students. He has served as PTA president and is running for School Board to help ACPS students have the opportunity that he did to “achieve the American Dream.”

Elnoubi’s complete responses were not received prior to publication.

Christopher Harris

DISTRICT C

Why are you running for School Board?

ACPS provided me with a quality education, opportunities to build relationships, and prepared me to support my children when they matriculated through the system. It is my desire to support the planning and implementation of policies and practices that focus on the individualized needs of students, parents, teachers, and support staff.

Do you support having School Resource Officers in schools? Why or why not?

I believe that police do not belong in schools as there is data that supports their presence has been detrimental to black and brown students. There is data to show the criminalization of students of color and their practices in the name of safety contribute to the school to prison pipeline. Safety of students will require a multidimensional approach that involves healthy school climates, financial resources, mental health support, engaging leadership, relationship building, and increased student and community control. I am open to a community conversation involving all concerned parties to determine the best way forward prior to any final decisions.

What is the biggest challenge facing ACPS?

The biggest challenge facing ACPS currently is school climate and ensuring students, parents, and the ACPS workforce have the adequate resources to support academics and socio-emotional needs of each other. 

If elected, what will be your top priority?

My top priority is to learn and govern with integrity. As I progress and evolve in the position, I anticipate my top priorities will change.

What role/input, if any, do you believe parents should have in decisions such as vaccine mandates, SROs and curriculum? 

As a school board member I perceive parents as our partners and believe they should always have input in regard to decisions that will affect their children. I believe in the safety of vaccinations and want to ensure that our staff, students, and the community are all as healthy as we can be. It is also my belief that vaccinations are a personal choice and that individuals/families should be allowed to make that very personal choice without being mandated.