All Elections
By State:
Abigail J. Raphael (Incumbent)
About The Candidate
- Office Sought: School Board Member
- Occupation: Chair, Arlington County School Board.
- Web site: http://www.abbyraphael.org
- E-mail address: abby@abbyraphael.org
Education
-
BA, political science, Duke University; JD, University of Virginia School of Law.
Offices and positions held
-
Member, Arlington YMCA Board; member, Arlington Strategic Issue Team on Youth Binge Drinking; liaison, Washington Area Boards of Education; past officer, Arlington County Bar Association; past president, board of directors, Offender Aid and Restoration of Arlington; past officer, Bellevue Forest Citizens' Association; past president, PTA; past member, APS Budget Advisory Council; member, Arlington School Board.
On the Issues
What is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction?
The major challenge facing Arlington Public Schools is our enrollment, which is increasing at about 5 percent annually. With enrollment growing by more than 1,000 students each year, APS expects a shortage of more than 3,300 seats by 2016. We have worked diligently to use existing space as efficiently as possible, including increasing class size and converting spaces into classrooms. APS is investigating ways to increase our capacity, including building additions to schools and adding a new school, so that we can continue to provide an excellent education to all of our students.
Why should voters elect you?
I will continue to work with the Arlington community focusing on success for all students with great teachers, involved families and careful budget decisions.
