by SCOTT McCAFFREY, Staff Writer

(Created: Wednesday, December 5, 2007 9:07 PM EST)

The Arlington County Democratic Committee’s School Board endorsement election will be held on a balmy Saturday next May. But the campaign got underway as the first snows of the season blanketed the region. Five challengers used the committee’s Dec. 5 meeting at Walter Reed Community Center to announce they would be seeking the two School Board seats on the ballot next November.

Given three-minute windows to introduce their campaigns, Reid Goldstein, Karla Hagan, James Lander, Terron Sims II and Emma Violand-Sanchez echoed familiar themes: inclusiveness, building partnerships and making improvements to a school system all said was doing well.

Sitting in the audience were School Board members Frank Wilson and Libby Garvey, whose seats the challengers hope to take. Neither incumbent has announced re-election plans, but both are likely to detail their intentions in January.

With a filing deadline of March 3, others could still jump into the race. No matter what the final tally of candidates, the Democratic endorsement contest is likely to be the political show of 2008. Party chairman Peter Rousselot called the field that has emerged an “active, vibrant and committed group” of candidates.

Under state law, political parties can’t formally nominate candidates in School Board races. But parties can “endorse” candidates.

In Arlington, the Democratic endorsement in the past usually has translated to victory in the general election. This year, Abby Raphael, who won the party’s endorsement in a two-way race in May, was unopposed in the Nov. 6 election.

As the rest of the party meeting continued in a large conference room at the Walter Reed center, politicking continued in the outer hallway as snowfall continued to accumulate outdoors.

Candidates, their supporters and those being courted snacked on cookies and brownies brought by incoming County Board member Mary Hynes.

Among the highlights from the announcement speeches:

* Goldstein cited his long list of involvement in the schools, along with work on the Housing Commission and the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization.

“Our schools are a model, but our past laurels are not enough,” he said. “I have worked with the schools, worked in the county and have found success in both.”
 

His campaign Web site is www.reidgoldstein.org.

* Hagan pointed to her work in the local Democratic Party, and pressed for accelerated foreign-language training in elementary schools and expansion of Montessori programs, along with advances in environmental education.

“I will foster teacher innovation – outstanding teachers are our single greatest resource,” she said. “Arlington has great schools, but there are serious challenges facing us.”

Her campaign Web site is www.karlahagan.org.

* Lander noted his service as vice president of the Wakefield High School PTA, and other service in the schools. He pointed to a “stakeholders’ triangle” of the community, schools and parents, all working to foster achievement.

“I will work to accomplish effective partnerships . . . [and] encourage an open, inclusive process,” he said. “We must have high expectations for all students.”

His campaign e-mail is infojameslander@gmail.com.

* Sims cited his work in mentoring at Wakefield High School and Drew Community Center, along with a leadership role in Arlington Young Democrats. The West Point graduate said that he had worked extensively with schools in Iraq during his U.S. Army tour of duty there.

“It’s time that we seriously address closing the achievement gap,” he said. “Progress has plateaued. We all must play a vital role in educating our children.”

His campaign Web site is www.terronsims.com.

* Violand-Sanchez pointed to her experience as an administrator with Arlington Public Schools, along with service as vice chairman of Northern Virginia Community College. She said she wanted a “student-centered approach” to local education, and favored enhancing partnerships with parents, colleges and the business community.

“We have an excellent school system, but there’s room for improvement,” she said. “I want to contribute.”

Her campaign Web site is www.emmaforschoolboard.org.

Of the two incumbents whose seats are up for grabs, Wilson has not signaled whether he will run again, and Garvey reiterated on Dec. 5 that she is “leaning” toward a run.

The Democratic caucus will be held on May 3 at Washington-Lee High School.