Margaret's Record and Priorities as a School Board Member:
Repair our schools and expand capacity. Through the work of the board and parents, we have secured major funding from City Council to address our capacity and maintenance needs. Two new schools are under construction and building maintenance is back on track. We need to continue to address our capacity needs, including at the high school level.
Small class sizes and well maintained schools are essential to student achievement and I will push to keep us on the right course, including supporting and implementing the recommendations of the Joint City-Schools Facilities Task Force.
Support All Families and Children. With our increasingly diverse student body, we need to make sure that all families, from all backgrounds and with whatever needs their children have, feel welcome and supported at school. Our Family and Community Engagement Center (FACE) leads the state of Virginia in the quality of engagement and training of parents it provides in formats and languages needed by our diverse ACPS community.
I spearheaded a major evaluation of our special education program to make sure children with special needs receive the respect and the education they deserve. And I led the board’s effort to speak out in defense of our immigrant students and their families. I am especially proud that we are finally implementing the long-delayed restorative justice program to keep minority children out of the criminal justice system.
Support teachers and staff. I have been an outspoken advocate for pay equity throughout the school system as I believe that all of our staff contribute to student success. Since joining the board I have consistently supported annual salary increases for teachers and staff. I am dedicated to keeping ACPS salaries competitive with school systems in neighboring jurisdictions.
Repair our schools and expand capacity. Through the work of the board and parents, we have secured major funding from City Council to address our capacity and maintenance needs. Two new schools are under construction and building maintenance is back on track. We need to continue to address our capacity needs, including at the high school level.
Small class sizes and well maintained schools are essential to student achievement and I will push to keep us on the right course, including supporting and implementing the recommendations of the Joint City-Schools Facilities Task Force.
Support All Families and Children. With our increasingly diverse student body, we need to make sure that all families, from all backgrounds and with whatever needs their children have, feel welcome and supported at school. Our Family and Community Engagement Center (FACE) leads the state of Virginia in the quality of engagement and training of parents it provides in formats and languages needed by our diverse ACPS community.
I spearheaded a major evaluation of our special education program to make sure children with special needs receive the respect and the education they deserve. And I led the board’s effort to speak out in defense of our immigrant students and their families. I am especially proud that we are finally implementing the long-delayed restorative justice program to keep minority children out of the criminal justice system.
Support teachers and staff. I have been an outspoken advocate for pay equity throughout the school system as I believe that all of our staff contribute to student success. Since joining the board I have consistently supported annual salary increases for teachers and staff. I am dedicated to keeping ACPS salaries competitive with school systems in neighboring jurisdictions.
The Alexandria Political Action Committee for Education posed questions to School Board candidates. Click here to see my answers.
