I want to take a minute and respond to my opponent's Facebook page and ad characterizing the mail my campaign sent out comparing his record to my platform on three issues as "dishonest." He asks you to get the facts. Here they are.
Smaller class sizes
I support reducing class sizes at all levels. During the recession, class sizes were raised in order to cut costs. The current School Board had a stated goal of reducing class sizes to 2009 levels this entire term. Kuesters, though, voted against reducing high school class sizes just this year. The vote went against him , and class sizes were reduced, even though they are still above 2009 levels. The mailer stated this vote with a citation of date. This wasn't "dishonest." I've attached the video of his vote below just in case.
I want to keep working to reduce class sizes. Kuesters stated at a candidate forum and in a candidate questionnaire that his goal is to maintain class sizes. There's a clear choice.
Elementary foreign language
I support restoring some form of foreign language instruction to Loudoun's public elementary schools. Our current School Board first reduced then eliminated all foreign language instruction prior to 7th grade. There was talk of a pilot elementary immersion program but it was dropped. At this point, Loudoun is the only district in the DC metro area not to offer any form of elementary foreign language instruction. Many private schools,though, like the one my opponent sent his kids to, offer foreign language K-6. The mailer stated that my opponent refused to support elementary school foreign language. This wasn't "dishonest." His website lists one of his accomplishments as "the elimination of ineffective or low priority programs (Foreign Language in the Elementary School)."
I want to work with staff at to get some form of foreign language instruction back in Loudoun's elementary schools. Kuesters doesn't. There's a clear choice.
Full-day kindergarten for all
I will work to get a plan in place for universal full-day kindergarten by the end of my first year in office. My vision is to offer at least one class of full-day kindergarten in every school in Loudoun County as a first step towards that goal, but it will require detailed classroom space analysis and looking at a variety of options of existing and new space to get there. My opponent has consistently argued against expanding full-day kindergarten except for at-risk students. The mailer quoted him saying "I will not support expanding full-day kindergarten..." and said he "said NO to universal full-day kindergarten." This wasn't "dishonest." He has been trying to weasel out of this position over the last few months, but honestly, I believe his position hasn't really changed. He still consistently argues against expanding full-day kindergarten past at-risk students. What seals it for me is that he didn't respond to a questionnaire from local advocacy group Loudoun for Full Day Kindergarten on this very topic. I've included video below of the statement quoted in the mail and his position from this week. You be the judge.
I will work to implement a fiscally responsible plan for full-day kindergarten for all our kids and expect it to take 3-4 years to get it fully in place. Kuesters makes no such claim. There's a clear choice.
Vote November 3. For Our Kids. For Our Schools. For Our Community.