Phil A. Niedzielski-Eichner*
Office Sought: School Board Providence
Age: 57
Residence: Oakton.
Education: BS, biology, John Carroll University; MA, public administration, urban government, Ohio State University.
Occupation: Senior program manager, science and technology policy, TechSource.
Web site:http://www.philforeducation.com
E-mail address: phil@philforeducation.com
Offices and positions held: Member, Fairfax County School Board (Providence District), 2004-present, board chairman, 2005; past at-large board member, Fairfax County Park Authority; Laurel Hill Adaptive Reuse Committee; past vice president for budget of the Fairfax County Council of PTAs; president, TJHSST and Rocky Run Middle School PTAs; Chantilly Youth soccer coach; Financing Education Task Force, Revenue Subcommittee co-chairman.
Why should voters elect you?
"Leadership, broad-based professional experience, training in public administration, integrity, commitment to children and their success, solution-focused, businessman, entreprenuer, fiscal and outcomes accountability, public servant, patriot."
What do you think is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction?
"Two key FCPS strengths are that we serve the vast majority of eligible students, regardless of economic circumstances, and we sustain strong community financial backing. Both factors depend on high-quality educational outcomes for all students, even as we become more diverse. We must not fall prey to the narrow NCLB proficiency-driven definition of success, but sustain our commitment to a broad, enriching educational experience for children. The school board has set a high bar, i.e., all children are to achieve to their full potential, and FCPS is to prepare all students for their 21st-century future, not their parents' past."
What is your plan to address the traffic problems in Virginia?
The School Board is in its second year of studying our transportation system, which is only second in size in the nation to New York City. Our community knows when school is in session because our buses are on the road transporting 145,000 students and our 22,000 employees are making their way to their respective work locations. Turns out that school start-time is a variable that affects traffic flow. The final stage of our analysis is underway with the formation of a Community Transportation Task Force that includes representation from all segments of the community that are affected by our transportation routing and school bell schedules. I will support a transportation and bell-schedule solution that is good for students, facilitates traffic flow, and is affordable in relation to other key student achievement priorities. I also support stronger driver education for teenage first-time drivers and their parents.
Do you think current policies governing growth & development in your area are too restrictive, not restrictive enough or just right?
not restrictive enough
-- The Washington Post | Submit a correction request.
