I believe you misread the intent of my post. My intent was to say that one single school board member has no direct cause and effect on whether the students pass or do not pass SOL tests in a given year.

Student success or non success is a collective result of the efforts of all in the school community working together. I am sure Ms. Lucas has made many valuable contributions to the students in Prince William County. You should continue to support her.

I never said that school board members were not important. In fact, I probably would be the first one to say that any individual can have a serious impact on our schools if that person is in a decision making position.

I will have to disagree with you, with all due respect, that Julie IS the reason that schools have done so well. Julie is ONE reason the schools have done so well. No one person can be given all the credit for success, nor can one person be discredited if things do not go well for an entire division. Education is a complex issue and to boil it down to one individual is a gross oversimplification.

John, apparently you have mistaken me for the enemy. I am neither ignorant nor unversed on the internal workings of county schools. To say that there are times one doesn’t tip one’s hand or show one’s aces is an understatement.

What you don’t see, dolph is all the behind the scenes work that Julie has done. She has selfishly given up so much for the citizens of ALL of Prince William County, not just Neabsco because she is cognizant that her votes affect the ENTIRE school system. Heck, look at all the past votes of the school board. Items that Julie worked so hard for behind the scenes regularly passed (or so it seemed) 7-2 in FAVOR of what Julie was supporting or worked so hard with her other board members to pass.

All the schools that I went to when my boys were attending PWC schools had NOTHING but good things to say about her and how fortunate they were to have her as THEIR representative on the Board. Heck, Manes still shows on his website that Julie is running for the House of Delegates, so I guess you can say that his ONE positive aspect is that even HE can see that Julie won the convention.

To say that her’s or anyone else’s membership on the School Board has nothing to do with SOL results is ignorant of how things happen at the county level. I would highly recommend, dolph, to watch more school board meetings so you can see exactly what does take place at the meetings and how much they really do affect the way our children learn. THAT is why school board election ARE so important and when you find out how LITTLE they make - the PWC School Board budget is more than the PWCBOS, yet the BOS makes around three times as much - you will want to walk up to your school board rep and personally THANK THEM for the work they are doing on behalf of our children.

To do so is immature politics at best, sort of like name-calling to strengthen one’s argument when one has no valid argument.

It appears the dems have endorsed. If they have not, then they need to remove the 2 candidates from their website.

Interestingly enough, Prince William’s scores are not the lowest in Northern Va. Check your facts before making preposterous statements.

I have heard from Democrats that things have been happening without the support of the entire committee. That is what I meant by unilateral.

Question: Could a school board member seek and receive the endorsement of both parties?

I imagine any group could host a debate and invite the candidates from all the districts. That would be one meeting I would attend for sure.

I agree with you about any attempts to limit expulsion. Education is a priviledge, not a right. Those who disrupt the learning process and endanger others need to go…permanently. To think otherwise is irresponsible, in my opinion.

My kids have all gone through PWCS. My grandkids now attend. I feel we need to be mindful of all the school board members. Like you said, any vote from any of them could affect our kids. I understand that the school system is now about 50% minority. I do not mind a little multiculturalism, within reason. I don’t expect our schools to cater to a totally white audience. However, there is multiculturalism, and then again, there is multiculturalism. I want balance and common sense used here.

I want to know more about why Mr. Pierre no longer teaches at Stonewall Middle. I have heard several stories which to me, disqualify him from serving on the school board, if they are true. I would hope that Mr. Pierre would address these issues honestly rather than make illusive inuendo to what amounts to the system being out to ‘get him.’ This sounds like an alarming situation to me that should come out of the shadows into full light for our inspection.

It would be interesting to see all 3 candidates debate. With 5 children in the system, I really care about who is on that board and even though I don’t live in that district, the vote from that member could affect my kids. I especially worry about the multicultural and anti expulsion programs being expanded.

We really need to do a better job of vetting school board candidates. Is there any group putting on a debate or setting up a question and answer night so we can see what this guy is about. Honestly, the more I read, the more Manes sounds like a nightmare. And with his rhetoric, obviously he supports the pro illegal groups. Not good.

“Manes Pierre has a passion for public education and a vision for its future. His platform is innovative and dynamic, focusing on four pillars to support better schools in Prince William County: dignity in the classroom, responsible leadership, alternatives to expulsion, and empowering educators.”

“Belkacem Hacene-Djaballah for School Board, Neabsco District
I am a resident of Prince William County since 1991. All three of my children attended public schools here. My educational experience in the United States and overseas totals 37 years.
I will bring to the school board a strong belief in America as the great “melting pot” society where everyone can learn and succeed. I believe good organizations must have diversity, transparency and fiscal accountability.”

I think the Republicans voted on endorsements in the spring and chose only one candidate from each district.

The democrats took a similar vote this summer, only they chose to endorse both candidates in the Neabsco district. With both men getting the endorsement, no one candidate gains any value from it, which kind of defeats the purpose. They have both men up on their website as endorsed candidates.

Are you certain that the entire Prince William County Committee endorsed both candidate or was this some unilateral decision?

If the entire county committee endorsed Manes Pierre, then I am embarrassed for the Democrats.

For the record, I am an independent, not a Republican.

His land won’t be free very long….

oh, I almost forgot…
we are the:

Land of the Free… Because of the Brave!

I did not think that school board candidates ran as Democrats or Republicans. I understand that they can be endorsed by a party, while not actually running on a ticket.

If this is the case, how come the Democrats have endorsed 2 candidates for the same elected position. If those 2 candidates have not been endorsed, then why are they even appearing on the Dem’s website?

I knew things had been a little flakey over in dem-land, from the dems themselves….but this situation I just do not understand. Greg, can you assist me here? Enlighten this poor home-girl.