FCPS At Large School Board 2017 - Candidate Forum - 8/23/2017
Published on Aug 24, 2017
The LWVFA, MCA, and FCCPTA sponsored a Candidate Forum for the FCPS At Large School Board Member Special Election on August 23rd, 2017, @ McLean HS. 3 of the 4 Candidates participated in the forum: Chris Grisafe (R), Karen Keys-Gamarra (D), and Michael Owens (I). Sandra Allen did not participate.
Posted on August 22, 2017
Listen as Larry spoke with Chris Grisafe, candidate for Fairfax County School Board At-Large, regarding his plans for Fairfax County public schools.
CHRIS GRISAFE Fairfax County School Board At-Large Special Election Tuesday, August 29th!
The Fairfax County School Board must stay focused on its primary mission – to provide a high-quality education that prepares all students for higher education, the modern workforce, and becoming successful, responsible citizens! Chris Grisafe will focus on protecting excellence in our classrooms! Strong academic rigor for our students ✓ Fair class sizes ✓ Respecting parents ✓ Supporting teachers ✓ Honoring accountability of our taxpayer dollars ✓ PLEASE VOTE FOR CHRIS GRISAFE ✓
HOW DO I VOTE? You can vote one of the following three ways:
❶ ABSENTEE IN-PERSON! You can vote TODAY for Chris Grisafe if you can’t get to the polls on Election Day. Bring your I.D. and come vote “Absentee In-Person” at: Fairfax County Government Center 12000 Government Center Pkwy, Suite 323, Fairfax, VA 22035 Mon, Tue, Wed & Fri: 8 am - 4:30 pm; Thu, 8 am - 7 pm Saturday, August 26th: 9 am - 5 pm (last day to vote Absentee In-Person)
❷ ABSENTEE BY MAIL! Request an Absentee ballot by Tuesday, August 22nd at 5 pm to vote by mail. Go to https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation Complete your personal information, click ‘I want to apply for absentee voting’ and follow instructions to receive an Absentee ballot in the mail. Once your ballot arrives, please complete and return via mail to the Elections Office at P.O. Box 10161, Fairfax, VA 22038 (allowing up to 9 days) OR drop your ballot off in person at the Fairfax County Government Center.
❸ ON ELECTION DAY! Election Day is Tuesday, August 29th Vote for Chris Grisafe at your regular polling location from 6 am - 7 pm. Find your polling location at: https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation/PollingPlaceLookup
Please ask your friends, colleagues, church members and family to vote for Chris Grisafe! Website: www.ChrisGrisafeForSchoolBoard.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/votechrisgrisafe
From: Concerned Parent <admin@concernedparentsandeducators.org>
Date: Thu, Aug 24, 2017 at 9:17 AM
Subject: Vote on Tuesday!
| Concerned Parents and Educators
August 24, 2017
School Board Election TUESDAY!
Absentee voting at Govt. Center til Friday
Polling places open Tuesday 6am-7pm
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Dear Concerned Parents and Educators,
Where did the summer go? As you know, FCPS students return to school onMonday, August 28. The 2017-2018 Parent Information Package is on our websitewith all the forms and information you need. You'll find a template letter for gender identity instruction opt-out, Family Life Education (FLE) opt-out forms, Youth Survey opt-out forms, and information on your right to "decline to sign" the SR&R form -- all on our website.
***SPECIAL ELECTION TUESDAY!***
On Tuesday, August 29, Fairfax County will elect an At- Large School Board member to replace Jeanette Hough. Ms. Hough was a wonderful public servant who worked hard to represent parents, respond to our concerns, and advocate for all students in FCPS. Before leaving with her family for public service overseas, Ms. Hough endorsed Chris Grisafe for school board. He has campaigned tirelessly in this school board race, meeting with parents and residents all over Fairfax County. Chris is also endorsed by the Fairfax County Republican Committee. You can hear his recent interview on WMAL here.
There will be three other candidates on the ballot with Mr. Grisafe: Sandra Allen, Karen Keys-Gamarra, and Michael Owen. Ms. Keys-Gamarra is endorsed by Fairfax County Democrat Committee. All three of these candidates are willing to accommodate gender confused students by granting unlimited access to opposite sex bathrooms, locker rooms, and sleeping quarters. Several of these candidates (including Ms. Keys-Gamarra) think our out-of-touch and out-of-control school board should have taxing authority to finance their partisan "Progressive" pet projects. Because the $2.8 BILLION generously provided by you, the taxpayer, is not enough. And we rejected overwhelmingly the meals tax.
It seems the hyper-partisan Democrats in Fairfax are worried about losing this school board election. Their voting base is split three ways. And they have recently tried unsuccessfully to smear Chris Grisafe personally. Everybody knows this kind of personal smear tactic is the last resort of candidates who have no policy ideas or achievements to discuss. It reeks of desperation.
Mr. Grisafe values public education. He advocates fiscal responsibility and transparency, good governance, and respects parents as the primary educators of our children. He wants to protect excellence in Fairfax County Public Schools. That's the kind of leadership many concerned parents expect and deserve.
Please remember to vote on Tuesday August 29. Remind your neighbors to do the same. Turnout for this election will be low, so every vote is vitally important. Your vote could decide the election!
The next school board meeting is September 14 at Luther Jackson Middle School. Let's work to have an advocate for parents and common sense in office at that meeting.
Thank you for your support of our efforts and best wishes for a bright and successful school year.
Sincerely,
Meg Kilgannon
Executive Director |
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(8/10/2017 @EC)
转一段 Chris Grisafe 对 AP racial quota 的看法："There's a lot at stake in this election, including our county's merit-based system. The seemingly increasing articles I am seeing about discrimination thru racial balancing in magnet/AP schools is concerning. I have twin half sisters who are half Chinese and are currently 9 years old. They already take their studies seriously and work hard to do well. My step mom makes a concerted effort to ensure they prioritize education and studying. To think they could be prevented from achieving their educational goals on the basis of race, regardless of their preparation, is maddening".
(8/10/2017 @Mike)
(8/8/2017 @ping)
"中午到Government Center 去投票，看到门口一个老头给共和党站台."
(8/8/2017 @ping)
"我们两个都投了，很简单，到Government Center, 填一张表，说明为什么提前投就可以了。 我们是477和478。"
(7/21/2017 @EC) " Great meeting last night. Got some signs back. Let me know if you'd like one. Otherwise I will put them out to the streets."
Early voting has started! We need your vote to save the seat! You can vote early in person at the Government Center on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm; Thursday 8:00 am to 7:00 pm and on Saturday August 26th 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, located at: 12000 Government Center Pkwy., Fairfax, VA 22035 To Vote Absentee by Mail Request an absentee ballot here: Once recieved, complete your ballot and place in mail no later than Friday, August 25th to reach the elections board by election day, August 29th! Voting on Election Day, August 29, 2017 Your regular polling location will be open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm. If you are unsure where to vote on election day click here! For more information on Chris Grisafe click here! Facebook Twitter Instagram
for Fairfax County School Board at-Large
National Security Professional ◦ Veteran ◦ Passionate Volunteer
Special Election to Be Held August 29 to Fill Vacant School Board Seat
Meet and Greet Chris Grisafe 6/24/2017
Chris Grisafe: " I am running for Fairfax County School Board at-Large because I want to protect the excellence in our schools. " Chris Grisafe: "FCPS must continue to provide a high-quality education that prepares all students for the modern workforce, higher education, and the pursuit of responsible citizenship. We must empower and educate our students for success and meaningful lives."
Chris Grisafe: Excellence in our school system directly impacts the success of our community and I know from personal experience the impact that quality schools can have in the lives of children."
Chris Grisafe: "I now seek to serve and give back to create for students more opportunities like those I've been fortunate enough to encounter along the way!" I would be honored to have your support and your vote. - Chris
For More Information, Contact: Chris Grisafe Campaign
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Steve Buckingham
703-766-4467
executivedirector@fairfaxgop.org MEDIA ADVISORY Fairfax County Republican Committee Endorsement of Chris Grisafe for School Board At-Large Last night at FCRC’s monthly meeting, the Committee voted unanimously to endorse Chris Grisafe for the vacant Fairfax County School Board At-Large seat, previously held by Jeanette Hough. Both Jeanette and sitting School Board Member Elizabeth Schultz spoke highly of Chris. Chris expressed his sincere gratitude and spoke about how eager he was to get to work to improve the lives of every child and parent in the county through a better school system. After the endorsement, FCRC Chairman Matt Ames said, “I’ve known Chris for many years, and he will be an outstanding School Board member. He will bring the same kind of respectful, courteous, and effective questioning of the status quo that Jeanette Hough exemplified. Chris knows from his own life experience the value of a strong education, and he is determined to make sure that the Fairfax County Public Schools continue to live up to their reputation.” # # # Source: http://fairfaxgop.org/
(Fairfax, VA) Special Election to Be Held August 29 to Fill Vacant School Board SeatFairfax County Circuit Court Chief Judge Bruce D. White has authorized a special election to fill the School Board seat left vacant by the resignation of Jeanette Hough, member-at-large, who resigned on May 31. The special election will be held on Tuesday, August 29, to fill the remainder of the term of office, which extends until January 1, 2020.
Chris Grisafe Supporters: Cathy Ruse and Mike Nie
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Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article144256424.html?from=groupmessage#storyl
Virginia Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam (Candidate for VA Governor) Endorses Driver's Licenses For Illegal Immigrants
About FCPS School Board Candidate Shaista KeatingMichele Menapace, a parent advocate, questions some of the school board's budget decisions"Is your credibility limit strained by learning about an FCPS contract awarded to a paid election campaign consultant? In February, three days after posting the request for proposal, FCPS awarded a $35,000 contract to Arcasun, a newly-formed company owned and operated by Shaista Keating. (Ms. Keating was paid $10,000 to advise Jane Strauss’ election campaign last fall and also heads the group Fairfax Full Day Kindergarten. Fairfax FDK is an advocacy group that publicly supported school board candidates in favor of full-day kindergarten in all Fairfax County elementary schools.) Arcasun has no previous experience and its Fairfax County business license had not been issued when the contract was awarded. "...
Chris Grisafe Announces Run for Fairfax County School Board At-Large Seat Veteran & national security professional seeks to “protect excellence in FCPS”
FAIRFAX, VA, May 31, 2017 –
Chris Grisafe has announced he is running for the Fairfax County School Board at-Large position for the upcoming special election to be held this summer. The date of the special election, which has not yet been determined, will be set by the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court in accordance with Virginia law. The seat is currently held by Jeanette Hough, who was elected in 2015, and will be vacated as of May 31, 2017. Hough has announced she must leave the School Board position governing Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) as a result of her husband's service. The family is being transferred overseas. A national security professional and veteran, Grisafe said he's running because "I want to protect the excellence in Fairfax County Public Schools." With a special election taking place in the summer, Grisafe will focus on reaching out to voters during a time when most Fairfax County residents are not thinking about returning to the voting booth. "FCPS must continue to provide a high quality education that prepares all students for the modern workforce, higher education, and the pursuit of responsible citizenship,” added Grisafe, who also serves as a volunteer advisor and mentor to college students. Having tragically lost his mother early in life, "I cannot overstate the importance and influence of the many teachers and mentors who have been consequential guide posts in my life," said Grisafe. "I know personally how important it is to empower and educate our students so they can lead successful and meaningful lives." Among the nation’s largest school systems, Fairfax County Public Schools has been ground zero for social and academic experimentation. "A local school board's emphasis must be on the students," Grisafe added regarding his desire to run. Talking from personal experience, he said he was greatly influenced by dedicated teachers and mentors to succeed in community college, serve in the U.S. Coast Guard, graduate from Loyola Marymount University and earn an MBA from Virginia Tech. “It is imperative that we keep FCPS focused on its primary mission – to provide a high-quality education,” said Grisafe. The current School Board’s May 25th vote to balance the budget for the next fiscal year by increasing class size is just one example of why “Fairfax County needs an at-Large School Board Member who will insist on evidence-based data in its decisions to benefit all of our students.” Prioritizing rigor in the curriculum, workforce and college readiness means “the School Board must focus on good metrics, eliminating redundancy and encouraging efficiency,” said Grisafe "to enable FCPS to allocate our precious resources where they are needed most - for our teachers and our students in the classroom.” Parents and community members have often been frustrated with by the School Board’s focus on issues other than student academic achievement. Fairfax County voters overwhelmingly rejected a Meals Tax Referendum last November which was advertised ostensibly to add the tax, in part at least, for education needs. "I will approach policy matters with an open mind and seek to understand issues with compassion," said Grisafe. "Still, the focus must always be on the merits those issues and the data to support good decision-making." Once the date of the special election is set by the court, Fairfax County residents will elect the new at-Large School Board Member to serve the balance of Hough’s term, which ends in November 2019. All registered voters in Fairfax County are able to vote for an at-Large candidate.
### For More Information, Contact: Chris Grisafe Campaign E-mail: ChrisGrisafeForSchoolBoard@gmail.com ChrisGrisafeForSchoolBoard.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/votechrisgrisafe/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/VoteGrisafe
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