In November 2021, Alexandria voters will choose among 15 candidates for nine positions on the Alexandria City School Board. There are three candidates running for the three seats in District C, which covers the western 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 C. They are presented in alphabetical order by last name.
Meagan Alderton (Chair, incumbent)
Alderton is currently serving as the chair of the School Board. Her background is in special education and she has taught at three difference ACPS schools. She now works as a Program Quality Specialist with the nonprofit DC Special Education Cooperative, which provides support for schools seeking to provide high-quality special education.
In addition to special education, Alderton is passionate about anti-racist education and addressing systemic racism within the education system. She believes that making sure that all students have access to a complete education is an important part of that.
Alderton knows that some ACPS parents have expressed a loss of trust with the way that the COVID-19 pandemic was handled but she says she has heard from many more who have expressed gratitude. “Our job as elected officials is to balance all of that so that we can make decisions that are in the best interest of all of our stakeholders, including students, staff, and families. It's a balancing act, and sometimes not everyone will be happy. However, we have to push forward as a collective for the benefit of all,” Alderton explained.
Three pillars define Alderton’s campaign:
- Consistency – Support educators through consistent leadership and initiatives.
- Continuity – Continue using and fine-tuning strategic goals.
- Leadership – Propel students and staff through COVID recovery with a focus on the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). It is also important to Alderton that students of color, who make up a large percentage of ACPS students, see someone who looks like them in a leadership position.
Alderton has first-hand knowledge of the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has posed on ACPS. She advocates continued precautions like mask wearing, hand-washing, and mandatory vaccinations for staff and regular testing for those who cannot be vaccinated. Making use of space to keep kids spread out as much as possible is also key she says. “I am going to do everything possible in my power to keep the doors open,” Alderton emphasized.
Abdel-Rahman Elnoubi
As the child of immigrants from Alexandria, Egypt, Elnoubi knows the importance of education, equal opportunity and hard work. Now a resident of Alexandria, Virginia, Elnoubi has two children in ACPS and has served as PTA president. If elected, Elnoubi said he will “work towards a robust education system that meets the social, emotional, and academic needs of ALL of our students - especially as we recover from this pandemic.”
Since he is running in District C Elnoubi is one of only three candidates, but this hasn’t affected his campaign. “Despite being unopposed in this race, I am door knocking and doing community outreach to meet as many community members and leaders as I possibly can to listen to what matters most to them, and they get to know me better and see how much I care, that's how you build trust, by being in the community and building relationships based on open communications,” Elnoubi explained.
Elnoubi’s top issues are:
- Find creative and strategic ways to build and add more schools to mitigate the overcrowding and our aging school buildings.
- Dedicating resources towards effective academic, emotional and social recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilize SEAL development and new programs to achieve this.
- Narrow the opportunity/achievement gaps which disproportionately impact students of color and reduce suspensions/expulsions and implement restorative justice/practices, with student interaction as a centerpiece.
- Competitive teacher pay and make ACPS a regional employer of choice.
Elnoubi is in favor of masks, vaccines and social distancing as tools to keep students and staff safe. “When it comes to COVID, parents can trust that first as a parent myself, I will make sure that our students and staff's safety is our top priority and I will follow the health and safety guidelines provided by the health experts and our public health department and the CDC,” he said.
W. Christopher Harris
Harris is a 4th-generation Alexandrian who describes himself as a former coach and parent to three graduates of Alexandria City High School (formerly T.C. Williams High School).
“I am a relatable candidate that has experienced the system through a variety of lenses as a student, parent and mentor,” explained Harris.
He wants to serve the interest of the stakeholders, not himself, and plans to lead with transparency and clear communication.
Harris says his top three priorities are:
- Advocating for equitable resources and practices across the school districts. It is my belief that all students should be afforded the necessary resources despite their race and/or socioeconomic status. Closing the opportunity gap is essential to student well- being, the future of our workforce, and safety of our communities.
- Creating a sustainable plan for improving school infrastructure and capacity. Alexandria's population is steadily growing, which has led to overcrowded buildings and dilapidated conditions. I believe my background in construction project management and engineering will be an asset to the board.
- Supporting our administrators, teachers and support staff. ACPS staff are critical to the success of our students. It is my goal to ensure their voices are heard, they feel valued and are reflective of our student population.
Harris recognizes the tough situation that ACPS leadership faced at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and reopening schools with COVID-19 protocols has been almost equally as challenging. Constituent feedback on the way ACPS has handled the pandemic has been mixed. “I believe there was definitely room for improvement in the process, opportunities for transparency and improved communication,” said Harris.
Click here to access profiles of candidates running in other districts in Alexandria, see the district map and learn more.
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September 18, 2021 at 12:37AM
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2021 District C Alexandria School Board Candidates - Alexandria Living Magazine
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