On November 2nd, Ward 6 will elect a new representative to the school board. Hear from the two candidates -- Melissa Rohan & Monica Warren-Jones -- about their plans and vision for public schools in Ward 6. Find out where the candidates stand on improving our middle schools, driving academic performance, and continuing growth beyond our elementary school gains.
When: Monday, October 25, 2010, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Where: Maury Elementary School, 1250 Constitution Ave, NE. Additional details: Parking available on-site (lot is accessed from 12th Place NE); child care will be provided on site.
Event co-sponsors: Hill Rag, The Hill Is Home, H Street Great Street, Frozen Tropics, Capitol Hill Public School Parents Organization, Eastern Market Metro Community Association, North Lincoln Park Neighborhood Association, Capitol Hill North Neighborhood Association, Gangplank Slipholders Association, Ward 6 Democrats, Friends of Choice in Urban Schools (FOCUS).
21 comments:
Ugh, Monica Warren-Jones scares me...we need someone who has experienced life outside the world of higher education. Plus, I think we could use a newcomer in public office with some fresh ideas...Melissa has my vote.
I'm not sure who to vote for here and can't make it to the Forum. Has Tommy Wells endorsed either one? That would carry some weight for me.
Inked, will you be endorsing any of the candidates, school board or otherwise?
2:29,
I'm only making four endorsements this time around, and all are in 5B. The only reason I making these endorsements is that it is very clear cut who you should vote for, or not vote for, in these cases. So, no endorsements for School Board, or 6C or 6A (nothing against any of those candidates, it's just a time limitation thing on my end).
My endorsements for 5B Commissioners:
5B06 Thalia Wiggins
5B07 Laura Casperson
5B08 Tina Laskaris
5B10 Camille Tucker
Come hear from all four at Joe Cole on Wenesday.
My vote is definately going to that experienced Junior League volunteer Melissa Rohan !!!
My vote is definately going to that experienced...
I DEFINATELY think everyone should listen to the person who can't spel!
Tommy Wells has endorsed Monica Warren-Jones. Lisa Raymond (current State of Education Board Member) has endorsed Monica Warren-Jones. The Washington Post has endorsed Monica Warren-Jones. DC State Board of Education President, Ted Trabue, has endorsed Monica Warren-Jones. Melisa Rohan - confirmed- then cancelled for tonight's forum. Although she is reconsidering. Do you want someone who "flip-flops"???? My vote is for Monica Warren-Jones.
"Melisa Rohan - confirmed- then cancelled for tonight's forum. Although she is reconsidering. Do you want someone who "flip-flops"???? "
I believe that was due to the Gray issue w/ using public schools for political events and the precedent of not utilizing schools for campaign forums. She brought up the concern, which I consider the high road. Of course, you can't do something on its merits in this city so you pander to the lowest common denominator and you get - "Tommy Wells has endorsed Monica Warren-Jones. Lisa Raymond (current State of Education Board Member) has endorsed Monica Warren-Jones. The Washington Post has endorsed Monica Warren-Jones. DC State Board of Education President, Ted Trabue, has endorsed Monica Warren-Jones"
The same body of do nothings jumps behind a candidate that won't rock the boat.
Please.......Melissa knew where the forum was to be held when she confirmed (over a week ago). Why wait until 4 hours before the event to cancel??? As far as the forum- Did you hear her responses? (no substance && didn't answer the questions!!!!)
Melisa Rohan - confirmed- then cancelled for tonight's forum. Although she is reconsidering. Do you want someone who "flip-flops"???? My vote is for Monica Warren-Jones.
Of course your vote is for MWJ...because you ARE Monica Warren-Jones! Don't you realize there are ways to figure this out through blogspot.com?
You must not be that technical....or you would realize that I'm a concerned ward 6 resident who has a child in DC public schools. Look at the facts!!! Have a more productive day!
"The same body of do nothings jumps behind a candidate that won't rock the boat."
Lisa Raymond, MPA from Columbia University. Monica Warren-Jones, MPA from Havard University. Ted Trabue BS in Economics from Dartmouth. All products of higher education but have no familiarity with what is happening on the ground!
It is time to put a newcomer at the helm, one that has humble beginnings and can brag about her community involvement, not her educational background and how much money she controls.
Did anyone here listen to the candidates last night? Even if your platform is "fresh ideas" you still need to be educated on the school board and what your role would be as an elected member. In my opinion, you can't run on "themes". Warren-Jones was the only candidate to me who seemed to understand what is involved. Let's not confuse school board with Rhee's job.
Anonymous 11:01 is exactly right.
All those fancy degrees in Public Administration and Economics have gotten us nowhere. Paper pushing, grant grabbing, reports, reports, reports.
Why not elect some more elitists who are smarter than we are just because they went to fancy-dancy schools? Are you kidding?
Aren't you tired of their excuses for why they continue to fail no matter how much money we give them?
Rohan is the only one who zeros in on the potential solution: parental involvement and inspiring the kids. No amount of money can replace that.
That was the basis of Rhee's philosophy. She unfortunately did not have Rohan's good manners and people skills.
Rohan is worth a shot - and our votes.
Melissa Rohan donated to the campaign of Rick Santorum. That right there is a dealbreaker for me. Anyone who thinks that man should be an elected official doesn't deserve to hold elected office themselves.
jaaybeas,
do you have a link for that?
@inked,
Sorry, I should have provided more details. At first, I read about it on a listserve. Then I posted the question to Mike DeBonis, who did some digging and claims there was a donation made under Rohan's maiden name to Santorum.
Rohan confirmed the donation via twitter, stating that it was when she was a transportation lobbyist (not sure how that explains anything, but that's what she said).
Here's a link (I think) to her response to me:
http://twitter.com/#!/melissarohan/status/26032477222
I can't get to the tweet DeBonis posted (stupid new Twitter). Maybe someone with more tech skills than I can find it.
jaybeas,
that is interesting. I'll have to take a look at the DeBonis posting.
With a little digging, one can fill out Melissa Theriault-Rohan's sketchy biography. Granted, she's only 32, from deepest Florida, and is trying to raise two kids. Do we want someone with no experience who is also Republican, anti-choice, anti-gay, anti-public school? The Latina "immigrant" parent claim: how does that square with Junior League? Her Santorum affiliation might fly in Florida among exiled Cuban plutocrats, but do we want that in Washington DC? Her two kids are PRE-school age. Does any of this add up?
One can probably believe that she’s a member of a play group. (But: seriously?) Sorry, no information anywhere on the claim to work at “M.T. Communications”. What kind of communications are we talking, actually?
Now compare Melissa’s bio to Monica's. Polls at Eastern Market and Judiciary Square will be open Friday and Monday for early voting.
Warren-Jones - #1 on the Ballot for State Board of Education.
For Clarification - One Judiciary Square/Hine Junior High School , Today&& Saturday October 30 - 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM, closed Sunday
ONLY One Judiciary Square on
Monday, November 1- 8:30 AM - 4:45 PM
I met Monica Warren-Jones at one of her "Meet and Greets" on Capitol Hill. I was so impressed with her that I'm working the polls for her at the Wilson school on K Street NE on Tuesday morning.
Monica worked her way up through the DC public schools. She earned her BA at Howard as well as an MBA from Boston College and an MPA from Harvard.
Her two girls are in the DC schools. She is active in the PTA on Capitol Hill and has mentored children.
http://monicawarrenjones.org/about.html
Melissa Rohan looks to me as if she trying to hide her conservative and Republican background. Marc Borbely noted on a local listserv that the leadership of the local Republican Party is supporting her bigtime. (At least six DC Republican executive committee members, plus its top staff, and three of its six ward chairs have given her money.)
Marc also noted that Rohan gave money in 2005 and 2006 (as Melissa Theriault) to the Republican Party and to Rick Santorum, the extremely conservative former senator from Pennsylvania.
I am not risking giving a likely stealth conservative Republican a four-year term on my DC School Board.
Oct 29, 2010 12:05:00 AM - Racist much!
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