ON THE ISSUES
Ryan’s Priorities
Improve Student Outcomes
As a School Board member, I will keep student outcomes at the top of my priorities. We need to support evidence-based policies and use data to guide our decisions. Teachers are the most important input in our schools, and we need to ensure that we can hire and retain the best educators. And we need to deliver differentiated supports, so all students can thrive.
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Support Healthy, Welcoming Environments
Students and teachers need to feel safe and respected at school so that they can focus on learning. As a School Board member, I will work to prioritize the mental and physical health and safety of our students and educators. We should seek out greater opportunities to expand extra-curricular opportunities and expand programs that connect youth with peers and mentors. And we need to address overcrowding in our classrooms.
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Strengthen Community Connections
Our schools are the heartbeat of our community. We must ensure that the community has a voice in shaping the direction of our division. As a School Board member, I will work to make engagement a two-way street, expanding efforts to hear directly from students, parents, and educators. And I will work to strengthen relationships with current and future City Council members so that we can deliver on a collective vision for the success of our schools.
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Champion Our Diversity
Alexandria City Public Schools is one of the most diverse school divisions in the Commonwealth. We must positively lean into that diversity and ensure that we are increasing equitable access and success for all of our students. As a School Board member, I will work to build bridges to all facets of our community and support the growth of cross-cultural programming.
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Provide Sound Fiscal Stewardship
As the federal pandemic relief funds run out in late 2024, ACPS will need to make further tough decisions about its budget into the future. As a School Board member, I will work to develop a sustainable budget that maintains competitive teacher pay, prioritizes money in the classroom, and ensures flexibility to meet the evolving needs and growth of our community.