In November 2021, Alexandria voters will choose among 15 candidates for nine positions on the Alexandria City School Board. There are six candidates running for three seats in District B, which covers the central portion of Alexandria.
Click here to access profiles of candidates running in other districts in Alexandria, see the district map and learn more.
The following candidates are running for school board in District B. They are presented in alphabetical order by last name.
Deborah Ash
Deborah “Debbie” Ash
friendsofdebbieash.com/goals-for-alexandria-school
Ash has a teenage granddaughter who attends Alexandria City High School and is running to provide all Alexandria students the best education to prepare them for their future. According to her campaign website, Ash is also in favor of the 1776 project and “the Three R’s."
Ash believes that many parents feel betrayed by ACPS and she will bring a fresh perspective to the School Board. “It’s difficult to introduce change to the system if the same people are kept in place to do what they have always done. I am a chance for the change that ACPS needs,” said Ash.
Her top issues are:
- Keep schools open 5 days a week for all students.
- Allow parent choice for vaccines and masks.
- Challenging courses for gifted students
- School choice, vouchers and tax credits for homeschooling.
- Restore School Resource Officers (SROs). Ash believes that City Council overrode the desire of the school board and community and believes that SROs are essential to build positive student-adult relationships and mentoring.
- Expand alternative vocational and career tracks.
Ash is opposed to mandatory masking and vaccines which she believes are a parent’s or individual’s choice. “Masking makes learning more difficult particularly for young children learning how to read and write,” said Ash. She believes that social distancing creates a false sense of security.
Ashley Simpson Baird
Ashley Simpson Baird
Baird has 20 years of experience improving public education under her belt.
“I bring multiple perspectives to making decisions that would impact ACPS. I have been a classroom teacher, administrator, teacher trainer, researcher and ACPS parent,” said Baird. She pointed out that she is also the only candidate running who has a Ph.D. in education, is fluent in Spanish, she says is important given that 37 percent of ACPS students identify as Hispanic/Latinx.
Baird believes it is important to have ACPS parents on the school board. There are many great things about ACPS, Baird stressed, which is why all three of her children will attend Alexandria schools but she admitted that there is work to be done like “ facilities modernization, improving early literacy instruction, increasing educator diversity and ensuring that equity for all is not just a shared value, but informs our day-to-day activities.”
The top two issues for Baird are:
- Pandemic recovery – “ACPS must make concrete plans and financial investments to ensure that we counteract unfinished learning and provide necessary social and emotional support to staff and students.”
- Restoring trust in ACPS – Baird believes that extended virtual learning in 2021 and the lack of data and stakeholder input on the complicated SRO decision have led to a loss of community trust in ACPS. “ACPS leadership, the School Board, and communications team need to develop a long-term strategy that works to rebuild trust in our schools,” said Baird.
When it comes to reducing the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus and variants, Baird is in favor of a multilayered mitigation strategy. “I support universal mask-wearing, vaccination for staff and eligible students, social distancing to the extent possible but especially during meals, asymptomatic testing of students and staff until the Delta surge is over and outdoor learning and meals where feasible,” Baird said.
Kelly Carmichael Booz
Kelly Carmichael Booz
If Booz’s name sounds familiar, it may be because she previously served on the school board from 2013-2015. Booz believes this experience with how the board works along with her 20-year career in education make her a strong candidate in a race with no shortage of options.
“At a time when none of the B District current, sitting school board members are going to return to the school board, having someone who understands how the board operates is important. I mean, it is a learning curve,” said Booz.
Booz is the parent to two ACPS students and is married to a Fairfax County public school teacher. She currently works for the American Federation of Teachers where she is in charge of digital resources. “I have seen really great examples of what teachers are doing nationally over the past year and a half and what school districts are doing, so I bring another outside perspective to Alexandria, in addition to having a very Alexandria perspective,” Booz explained.
Here are Booz’s top issues:
- Focus on learning and social and emotional recovery.
- Address capacity issues and create safe, positive learning environment in a space-challenged city.
- Clear communication and transparency (email board agenda before meetings, office hours, newsletter).
Booz supports mandatory vaccinations, with medical and religious exemptions. She also thinks that regular testing, wearing masks, ventilation and eating lunch outside are important to keep students safe who are too young to be vaccinated. “I think we need to do everything we possibly can to keep kids in-person. There is no replacement for in person teaching,” said Booz, but she recognizes that new COVID-19 variants could pose unknown challenges.
Tammy Ignacio
Tammy S. Ignacio
Ignacio has a Master’s Degree in Education and an extensive 30-year career in ACPS as both an educator and as an administrator. In July, she retired from her most recent position as the Lead Administrator for Special Instruction at Alexandria City High School.
This experience, along with her passion for ACPS students are the reasons Ignacio believes she would make an excellent member of the School Board. “I love and care about the education of the students in ACPS and will fight for what is best for each of them. I will always be an advocate for students, families and staff,” she said.
The following issues are the most important to Ignacio:
- Learning recovery and addressing social/emotional issues and school safety.
- Capacity, facility and budget concerns.
- Preparing students for college and/or workplace readiness.
- Retaining staff.
- Equity – ensuring all students get what they need to succeed.
Ignacio says her goal is to keep kids in school as opposed to virtual learning which she said was a struggle for many students. “I don't know of anyone that wants to wear a mask, but right now we need them to keep students and staff safe,” Ignacio explained.
PreeAnn Johnson
PreeAnn Johnson
Johnson says her 37-year career with ACPS sets her apart as a candidate for the school board. She retired earlier this year as principal of James K. Polk Elementary School.
“I have built strong relationships with students, staff and families. I have always led with my heart and have a genuine concern and commitment to the Alexandria School System and the community at large. This is my hometown and I will do anything to make it a better place to live and grow,” explained Johnson.
As principal, Johnson was in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on Alexandria schools where she heard both praise and complaints from stakeholders. “Parents trust me not because we always agree, but because those who work with me know my genuine desire to hear all sides and my total commitment to what is right and fair for our students and community. No one deserves trust out right, trust is something that has to be earned,” said Johnson.
For Johnson her priorities if she is elected to the school board are:
- The physical and mental health of students, teachers and families.
- Revisiting ACPS’ partnership with the Alexandria Police Department (including SROs)
- Looking ahead at upcoming construction projects like Minnie Howard, George Mason and Potomac Yard.
- Being purposeful with upcoming budget decisions.
Keeping kids in school is important to Johnson which is why she believes in following every measure possible to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and its variants in order to avoid a return to virtual learning. “The fact is that having masks, vaccines, social distancing and safety guidelines is what keeps virtual learning on the other side of the coin. We need to be willing to do whatever is necessary to keep kids in the classroom,” Johnson said.
(Photo by Daniel McGarrity)
Bridget Shea Westfall
Bridget Shea Westfall
When asked what makes her stand out as a candidate, Westfall said that her day job at the Administration for Children and Families would transfer well to the work of a School Board member. “I have 16 years of experience improving the lives of children, youth and families by advising non-profits, states, Tribes, universities and K-12 public schools on how to manage and lead human service organizations,” explained Westfall. This experience includes managing a $9 billion portfolio.
In addition to her experience as a public servant and social worker, Westfall is a proud ACPS parent. “I don’t have any desire to be a politician or to cater to any special interests or political posturing. As a school board member, I see my role as evaluating every decision with the question is this in the best interest of our students? And is this in the best interest of our public school division?” said Westfall. If elected she plans to represent, advocate, and listen with honesty and ethical principles. She wants to diversify the ways that all stakeholders can easily communicate with the school board and superintendent.
Westfall’s top issues are:
- Accountability through transparent decisions & communications
- Challenge capacity through smart growth & development of ACPS facilities
- Plan for pandemic recovery
- Support safe and successful schools
Westfall is passionate about pandemic safety. “The only time that I think that schools should shut down is if hospitals are near capacity,” she said. She is for following all public health guidelines while keeping schools open five days a week. This includes vaccines, masking, routine and asymptomatic testing, clear quarantine procedures and use of outdoor space. She would like to see ACPS implement a detailed COVID dashboard similar to Montgomery County Public Schools which tracks positive case notification letters and case counts for each school.
Ricardo Roberts
Ricardo Roberts
(website under construction but follow on Twitter @CoachRico4Board)
Roberts sees himself as a problem solver. He is a frequent voice at school board meetings.
When asked what sets him apart from the six other candidates in District B Roberts replied, “ I think one of the things that really sets me apart is my willingness to speak truth to power, even if that makes me unpopular. I am not concerned about being liked.” Instead, Roberts said his focus will be on doing right by students and educators.
He plans to bring fresh ideas to the school board if he is elected and rebuild trust in the system for those who have lost it over the past year and a half. “Regaining trust requires a person who is willing to be honest… While not every person may agree with every opinion I have or statement I make, parents of ACPS students can count on me to be upfront and transparent,” Roberts said. He wants to ensure that all students can read and do basic math before they can take advantage of other programs. He stressed that college is not for every student and wants to expand workforce training opportunities.
Roberts’ top priority is school security and discipline. “when you don’t feel safe, you cannot possibly be expected to learn,” he said. This could be done by using video cameras he suggests.
Instead of what he says is a rush to reopen, Roberts thinks that schools should take advantage of virtual learning for students over 7th grade who thrived in that learning model during the pandemic. He agrees that masks, vaccines and social distancing are necessary to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and create a safer environment for learning.
He was charged by school officials with trespassing at George Washington Middle School after he showed up to the school when he says his son was bullied. He was acquitted but is now in the process of suing ACPS and some school staff as a result of the incident.
In 2007, when he was a social studies teacher and basketball coach at J.H. Johnson Junior High School in D.C., Roberts says he was falsely accused of sexual assault of a 13-year old female student. He was later acquitted of the charge.
Click here to access profiles of candidates running in other districts in Alexandria, see the district map and learn more.
