Sent out late last night from Arlington County School Board member Tannia Talento, who first joined the School Board on January 1, 2017.

 

Dear Friends and Supporters, Hello and Happy Fall!  I love the fall season – full of bright colors, brisk air, and a reminder of the cycles of life. There are a couple of things I want to share with you today. First, many of you have asked about my health and my sister’s health after our surgeries this past May, during which I donated one of my kidneys to my sister.  I am happy to report that she is doing great!  She is off dialysis and back to work full-time as a teacher’s assistant!  I have also made a full recovery and am happily adapting to some healthier lifestyle habits.  It has been an amazing and miraculous experience for me and my family, and I thank God every day for our health and good fortune.  If you and your loved ones ever find yourselves considering living organ donation, please reach out to me.  I am always happy to discuss my journey on becoming a living donor and my door is always open. Also, as you may know, I am up for reelection on the November 2020 ballot and would be seeking the Democratic endorsement in May/June 2020; and, as the start of the 2020 election season approaches, I want to share with you my thoughts about my future plans in public service as a School Board member. In July, my colleagues elected me the Chair of our School Board.  It is a role that I take very seriously.  This school year, under my Chairwomanship, we are undertaking a Superintendent Search, in addition to our biennial 10-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) process and our annual Budget process in which we have a forecasted deficit.  We are also undergoing a pre-planning boundary process for our Fall 2020 elementary boundary process, which entails difficult community discussions around school program moves.  My commitment to public service, our students, our school system, and our county has only been reinforced and strengthened by these processes and coming changes.  Leading us well through this work will require a 100% commitment on my part. Therefore, because of my unwavering commitment to my role as Chair and to the work of the School Board, I regrettably inform you that I have decided not to seek reelection to my School Board seat.  Fulfilling my duties as a public servant take first priority for me and, while it is an honor to serve on the School Board, running a campaign while simultaneously fulfilling these responsibilities is not the best way for me to ensure our students have the future they deserve. Instead, my time and energy will be fully committed to my leadership role as Chair and the work on our Superintendent Search, CIP, and Budget processes, which will be fully underway over the next few months.  I love the work that I do as a School Board member and I am committed to leading these processes with integrity, fidelity, dedication, and thoughtfulness for our School Board, Arlington Public Schools, the Arlington community and most importantly, our students. My decision did not come lightly, but it does provide an opportunity for a new person to step-up and serve our community as a new School Board member.  I look forward to supporting someone over the coming weeks, that I believe has the passion, commitment, understanding, and dedication required to serve our school system and fight for equity and success for each and every one of our students. Please know that I sincerely look forward to continuing every day of my public service, through the end of my School Board term on December 31, 2020, with the same passion, commitment, and hard work I have given each day since I started on the School Board on January 1, 2017. Thank you, always, for your continued support for my public service and for our school system.  I would not have this amazing opportunity to serve you without your support and investment in me and for that I am eternally grateful. Wishing you and your family a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving. Warmest regards, Tannia Talento