Meet The Candidate: Deborah Ash For Alexandria School Board

ALEXANDRIA, VA — As voters begin casting early ballots for Alexandria's Nov. 2 general election, one of the races they will decide is the Alexandria School Board.

The school board is made up of three districts, each of which has three board members who serve a three-year term. Members who are elected in the Nov. 2 election will take office in 2022.

Voters will either vote for Alexandria School Board District A, B or C depending on which district they live in. There are five candidates running for three seats in District A, seven candidates running for three seats in District B, and three candidates running for three seats in District C.

One of the District B candidates is Deborah Ash, a retired federal government employee and grandmother of an Alexandria City High School student.

For more information about the upcoming election in Alexandria, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Elections.

Learn more about Deborah "Debbie" Ash and why she is running for Alexandria School Board District B in 2021:

Editor's note: below are the unedited views of the candidate.

Age (as of Election Day)

65

Position sought (mayor, city council, school board, etc.)

Alexandria City School Board

Party Affiliation

non-partisan race

Family

Teenage granddaughter who attends ACHS

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

no, not aware of anyone

Education

High School and one year business institute. Training relative to my position with the Foreign Service of the Department of State.

Occupation

I am retired from the Federal Government having worked for the Departments of Defense and State (Foreign Service) for 20 years.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

none

Campaign website

friendsofdebbieash.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am running for School Board in District B because our academic programs in Alexandria need improvement and prioritization. Some schools only recently received accreditation – a minimal level of success in one of the most highly-educated geographical areas in the nation. We must focus on the academic success of our students, not on divisive social agendas that serve to take us backward instead of forward. I am opposed to the assumptions made and taught regarding Critical Race Theory, which teaches our children to evaluate each other by race and skin color. This is the polar opposite of the dream of national hero Martin Luther King, Jr. It can destroy personal relationships among children's naturally-occurring friendship circles. The recent Census data shows that one in ten children in Alexandria is mixed race --- these teachings would have them questioning the character of their own parents and other family members. None of this is a positive impact on our children. Let's let children be children, not front-line warriors in a manufactured conflict.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Equality vs Equity. The City Council of Alexandria has officially resolved that we are a city with 'systemic racism' though our Mayor identifies as black seeing he has multiracial parents, we have minority members of City Council, a black School Board Chair, a black Superintendent of Schools, a black acting Police Chief, a black Fire Chief, we have had a black Vice Mayor, and we voted overwhelmingly for Obama. All of this while blacks represent only about 20% of our city's population. Obviously, Alexandria schools can afford to focus on academics rather than leftist activism. I plan to advocate for teaching U.S. history and our Constitution.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am the only candidate who wants parents to have choices for medical vaccinations and mask wearing. I also support school choice and vouchers.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

The current school board members from District B are not seeking reelection; there are three positions available and seven candidates from which to choose. However, the current board is an echo chamber; they have refused to seriously consider parents' inputs for their children's education. The Board and Superintendent took decisions separate from requesting input from all the ACPS School administrators and principals.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

In the beginning they were rightly cautious, but then as the year went on and the schools could have opened earlier than they did, the Board did not make timely plans to bring back the students. This delay increased pressure on parents to maintain their children's education while putting a strain on their employment and child care necessities.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Restore School Resource Officers Schools immediately. Ensure the schools are open five days a week for all students. I support school choice, vouchers, tax credits for home schooling. Parent choice for vaccines and masks; interesting note is that some parents choice is that parents should not have choices for their children. Challenging courses for gifted students. Expand alternative vocational and career tracks.

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

Twenty years working in the Foreign Service has given me first-hand experience of different cultures and taught me flexibility. While serving in various countries, I volunteered in the local church teaching in or coordinating children’s programs. In Cairo, Egypt, I was on staff for two years at the British International School as a teacher’s assistant before being hired at the U.S. Embassy as a security escort. I organized offices for senior U.S. diplomats as we all changed locations and assignments every two years or so. This prepared me to tackle the learning I will have to do as a new board member, and to work with people of different backgrounds, education, and cultures to accomplish the greater good for all.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-6

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

I moved to Alexandria in 2017 after one year in Arlington. I retired at the end of August this year and have the time to invest in the School Board, families, and students. I have a daughter, three grandchildren (one is a senior at Alexandria City High School), and a great granddaughter. I am a committed follower of Jesus Christ, a Washington Capitals fan, and ride a Harley Davidson 883L Sportster.