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I've talked to countless neighbors, parents, teachers, and community members about the challenges facing our schools. I want to see a school board that addresses our schools’ critical needs, focusing on the solutions for today and for generations to come.
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I will draw from my community leadership experiences and from the experiences of other parents, teachers, and community members to address these needs.
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MY PRIORITIES
CLOSING THE
OPPORTUNITY
& SUSPENSION GAP
ACPS students of color are suspended and disciplined--often subjectively-at significantly higher rates than their white peers. Research shows high suspension rates increase the likelihood of students dropping out of school, getting entangled in the criminal justice system, and feeding the school-to-prison pipeline. I am actively involved in grassroots advocacy for expanding Restorative Practices in ACPS to end disparities in suspensions and disciplining of students of color and to help students avoid unnecessary criminal referrals.
Additionally, there are large opportunity gaps facing many ACPS students. I believe in equality of opportunity and understandth at emotional, psychological and economic challenges can be students' biggest obstacles to learning. Students of color, often socially and economically disadvantaged, are currently achieving at much lower levels than their white and Asian peers. I am committed to addressing those obstacles as the first step toward closing the opportunity gap.
RECOVERING FROM THE IMPACTS OF COVID-19
COVID-19 has taught us that only a robust public health system can respond to emergencies and protect our students. I will work to ensure that ACPS documents lessons learned from this pandemic to prepare for future ones. I will also work to ensure we dedicate the resources needed for the recovery from the social, emotional, and academic effects of COVID-19.
REBUILDING AGING SCHOOLS & CONFRONTING LACK OF CAPACITY
I will work hand-in-hand with City Council to ensure that we plan strategically and have enough school buildings to get ahead of our capacity issues. Our schools are already overcrowded, yet student enrollment is the highest ACPS has seen in nearly 50 years, and enrollment is projected to keep growing until 2030. Several buildings will reach or exceed 75 years of age within the next few years, and must be renovated or rebuilt. Our children need to learn in safe buildings.
CULTIVATING AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY SCHOOL DIVISION
Together, we will continue the electrification of the ACPS bus fleet and make ACPS buildings greener. Abdel will work to push ACPS buildings towards renewable energy and promote environmental consciousness and awareness about climate change.
FOSTERING A POSITIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT, ADVOCATING FOR COMPETITVE PAY
Having been a union member myself, I have continuously supported workers' rights policies as a community leader and advocate. As a manager, I made sure staff can trust me to have their backs. I will work to make ACPS an employer of choice in our region where our staff and educators are paid competitively, offered good benefits, and always treated with dignity and respect.
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