Comments on: Election 2011: Final AAPS Candidate Forum

By: AASchools

AASchools — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 19:01:51 +0000

I would say Patrick Leonard is the strongest of the candidates – A2 Musings has great descriptions of each candidate. Rod Johnson – What are the negatives for those three candidates?

By: A2person

A2person — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:30:28 +0000

Schools Musings blog has a very nice analysis of the candidates from her opinion: [link]

By: Rod Johnson

Rod Johnson — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 17:34:51 +0000

Hear hear! I also have only three possibles, which I haven’t quite sorted out yet. But it’s clear who I’m voting against:

* Howard has no credibility, as a quick survey of his web presence will make clear–never mind his advocacy of more religious presence in schools, which will never happen.

* Iqbal, for all his warm and fuzzy dad talk, has close ties to Snyder and the state GOP anti-teacher “school reform” agenda, which he doesn’t exactly hide, but which he certainly isn’t in a hurry to mention. He wants to lengthen the school year, hire more teachers, have smaller class sizes, but pay for it how? He says millages are a “last resort” and instead advocates lobbying (in some vague fashion) for school funding reform at the state level. Which is a good idea, but for those of us who have to live in *this* world, not much help for a cash-strapped education system.

* Murphy seems to be advocating getting blood from a stone–there is no overhead left to squeeze. Maybe we could get by with fewer administrators–god knows we could use better ones–but as a structural solution that’s unrealistic, and it seems to be all he has to offer.

Thomas, Lightfoot and Leonard all have negatives in my opinion, but they’re minor compared to these three.

By: Wakefield

Wakefield — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 14:26:26 +0000

“Relentless positive action” – That’s Governor Snyder’s mantra. I’ll concede the relentless action part. But nothing about the change he and the unchecked, term-limited, power-drunken, Michelle Rhee driven amateur legislators in Lansing have done to education is positive in relation to Ann Arbor. With the raid on the School Aid fund and attendant broken promises, the unfunded mandates, the failure to fix the structural deficit, the nonsensical sweeping change, etc., etc., the relentless action undertaken by these folks has taken one of our most important democratic institutions, and along with it our kids’ futures, and has turned it into a giant laboratory experiment, pitting elements of our community against one another in our attempt to cut but preserve what we value most. And how do you like those class sizes, anyway? There’s a sizeable surplus in the School Aid fund and the General fund, and parents of means are making choices right now to take their kids out of the public schools, solely due to the issue of class size. The pressure on class-sizes more than anything else will contribute to a two-tiered education system in Michigan. Don’t expect the Governor to dedicate any of this money to reducing class sizes, unless he sees Republican legislators in trouble in the next election sysle. And if you think that the money can just come right out of overhead, think again. The overhead is scaled to the level of critical services the District provides.

So, if you like this approach to education, Google the candidates and see which one is closely aligned with Governor Snyder. If you don’t like it, Google the candidates and see which one is closely aligned with Governor Snyder.

If you think we’ll find a pot of uncommitted gold by cutting overhead, vote for the candidate who thinks that’s a good idea. Otherwise, don’t.

In my view, if you value public education and the future of our kids, there are only three realistic choices in this election. I will be happy to provide greater granularity to anyone who knows me and asks.

By: A2person

A2person — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 21:29:25 +0000

I agree. I was thoroughly impressed with Leonard. He has my first vote. Still struggling with the second one.

By: AAHURON

AAHURON — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 17:52:36 +0000

I attended the event at AA Open and think Patrick Leonard stood out from the rest. I was really impressed! I have heard wonderful things about him, but was not completely on-board until I heard him speak at this event. I think he brings a young, energetic, and fresh perspective to the BOE.

I think it’s important to look at the candidates’ political affiliation as well, given the current legislation in Lansing. Ahmar has recently received donations from Snyder supporters, as well as contributed to Snyder’s campaign during the Governor’s election.

I’m voting for Patrick Leonard , and will continue to research the other candidates to see who will have my second vote.

By: A2person

A2person — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:46:17 +0000

THANK YOU for this summary, and for covering this event! I was there, and thought it was a fantastic community showing and wonderful way to hear from the candidates. I learned a great deal, though it perhaps made my decision-making a bit more difficult.