2024 Candidate Profile: Alexander Scioscia For Alexandria School Board

ALEXANDRIA, VA — As Alexandrians cast their ballots for president and Congress, the Nov. 5, 2024 general election in the City of Alexandria features local races as well. In the Alexandria School Board election, there are nine candidates running for nine seats, including Alexander Crider Scioscia.

There was no primary election for the non-partisan School Board race. The nine-member School Board has three representatives each from Districts A, B and C. There are three candidates in each of the Districts A, B and C, so none are opposed on the ballot. District B, where Scioscia is running, includes parts of central and West End Alexandria.

The City of Alexandria will have the mayor, all six City Council seats and all nine Alexandria School Board seats up for election in November. Federal elections on the ballot include president, Sen. Tim Kaine's U.S. Senate seat, and Rep. Don Beyer's eighth congressional district seat. The next state-level elections will be in 2025.

Early voting for the general election will begin on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024 and continue through Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. More information on how to vote is available from the Alexandria Office of Voter Registration & Elections.

Patch asked candidates for mayor, Alexandria City Council and Alexandria School Board to fill out a candidate questionnaire with the same questions. Here are Alexander Crider Scioscia's responses:

Name

Alexander Crider Scioscia

Office Sought

School Board - District B

Campaign Website

AlexforAlexandria.com

Age (As of Nov. 5 election)

25

Education

Graduated from Alexandria City High School (then TC) in 2017. Received my Bachelor of Arts from Lewis and Clark College, double majoring in Political Science and German.

Occupation

Non-Partisan Hearing Clerk for the United States Senate Budget Committee.

Family

I have loving parents, a great supportive girlfriend, great cousins who are like siblings, fabulous friends, and my car - a 1972 Volvo 1800ES.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Previous public office positions or appointments

Appointed to the School Board Budget Advisory Committee - November, 2023.

Why are you seeking this office?

I grew up in Alexandria, attending ACPS schools. I went to George Mason, George Washington and graduated from ACHS, in 2017. My education and experiences in the school system helped me see and pursue my path into adulthood. I owe a lot to the school staff, teachers and friends who helped me explore my passions, get to college, and start my career. I want to give back to people and invest in the school system that gave me so much, so that other students get a world class education, teachers receive a good wage and all staff feel supported.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidate(s) seeking this post?

I am honored to be running with the other two candidates in District B. They are both extremely qualified and wonderful people.

As for me, my skill sets and views are different, yet complementary to the other candidates. I bring my experience as a former student of ACPS. I have seen and been through a lot in the schools - taking a wide range of classes with different student populations and points of view including Automotive Technology, orchestra, general education, honors and AP. With my age and experience in the schools I hold a closer view to the students and will be a good bridge between them and the Board.

My job as a non-partisan hearing clerk has also prepared me for working within a bureaucracy to get things done in creative and thoughtful ways. I have had to wrangle both sides of the aisle to make sure Committee rules are followed and that we can remain productive and collegial. While the School Board is non-partisan, there can be many differing thoughts and personalities. My work and life has prepared me to listen to all sides, be able to find common ground and bridge differences.

What do you see as the top issues facing your city, and how do you address them in your campaign platform?

There are three issues that I see facing the schools:

Making sure we can address overcrowding and the upcoming redistricting process:
- We need to make sure that we address our capacity issues in thoughtful and long term ways. A few things stand out to me, the redistricting process - making sure everyone has a seat at the table, seeing the results of the Pre-K-8 Analysis, and making sure that any new schools are built for future capacity.

Working with the newly unionized teachers and the City Council to get fair wages and retain teachers during the budget process:
- Well paid teachers and staff are a core value of mine and our students and the system as a whole benefit from teams that make fair wages. We can stop the loss of our best and brightest and set the example of a system that teachers from across the area will want to come work for.

Continuing to improve the operating procedures of the Board:
- We need to make sure it is as transparent and responsive to students, teachers and parents as possible. As well as leaving it a better place for future board members.
- Continuing to codify the new committee structure of the Board
- Working to better integrate our Advisory Committees
- Making the website and Board pages as clear and easy to find information on as possible.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

- My work on the Budget Advisory Committee
- ACPS Alumnus
- Interned in the Bavarian State Parliament in Germany
- My work on Ashley Simpson Baird’s successful school board campaign in 2021
- My job as a non-partisan hearing clerk in the U.S. Senate Budget Committee

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

- I know how to listen.
- I am adept at bringing people together and being a mediator.

I am invested in my city and the people here and I have the energy and drive to give my all to the Board and the School System.