Campaign email: arvi.wcboe@gmail.com
Website: www.arvi.cc
Facebook: facebook.com/arvi.wcboe
Age: 47
Employment: Salisbury University, Professor of finance
Education: Ph.D., Finance, Florida International University
Why are you running for the school board?
For the sake of our children. I’m a fourth-generation educator; both my children attend public middle schools. I firmly believe that good education is transformative and fundamental to any economic and social development. I will support our teachers and staff in reducing the pandemic- induced achievement gap. Wicomico County graduates only 83%, below the Maryland state average. This must be improved so as to rank in the top 10 counties in the state. Skills attract and retain businesses, generate employment and create positive feedback loop of growth in an economically disadvantaged region.
What makes you a good candidate for the board?
Given my diverse educational (Ph.D., M.S. Finance, M.S. Computer Science, B.S. Chemistry) and professional experience (www.linkedin.com/in/arvi1), I will provide valuable expertise in finance, academics and organizational efficiency. My skills, based on real world expertise and proven track record of getting things done by bringing various stakeholders, understanding their concerns, to provide analytical solutions. As an educator, I understand what teachers need to be successful. Providing those resources and support is critical to ensure success. I’m actively involved in PTA and as a volunteer teaching Junior Achievement programs in various public schools in the county for more than a decade.
Please name a public leader you admire and explain why.
President Nelson Mandela. He was a man of integrity, who lived true to his values, compassionate, empathetic and forgiving. Despite his 27 years in prison, he truly united South Africans through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This is leadership at its best by not seeking retribution but contrition on those who committed atrocities during apartheid. I admire his tenacity, perseverance, ability to work across the aisle, understanding the needs of his people, bringing everyone together to build a successful rainbow nation.
What is the most important issue facing your school board, and what would you do about it if elected?
Mental health wellness and behavioral issues need the greatest attention. The WCPS must hire more social workers, behavioral health specialists to ensure the wellness of students, staff and teachers’ morale. Working with the state, regional and community organizations in ensuring social deficiencies are addressed proactively and creatively. Post-pandemic-related life disruptions, be they socio-economic, psychological, cultural, are the reasons for poor education outcomes. Especially when there is a significant digital divide, lack of family support in online learning has led to notable learning losses across all grades.
How concerned are you about school safety, and what if anything should be done to improve it?
Every student must be able to attend school without any fear or anxiety of being caught up in a fight. The arduous reporting system to discipline problematic students is the leading cause of teacher burnout, attrition and general dissatisfaction. Enforcing a student code of conduct, providing alternative restorative justice mediation will be helpful. Teachers, administrators must be empowered to discipline students who create an unsafe environment through restorative justice mediation. Repeat offenders must be suspended from schools to safeguard the rest of the students.
Do you have any concerns about the way history is taught in your district’s schools, and if so, what are they?
No. There is a well-funded misinformation movement that spreads lies about what is taught in schools. We have such candidates contesting in this election. This is very concerning.
It is a no brainer that students must be taught by teachers free of any sort of interference. Teachers know best and leave it to them to do their jobs in the best manner possible. Academic freedom is the reason that the U.S. continues to excel in innovation. Any laws, mandates curtailing this are myopic, regressive and detrimental in developing empathetic, critically aware citizens.
Do you think there are circumstances when books should be removed from school libraries, and if so, what kind of books should be removed?
Students must be exposed to all kinds of books. Banning books is infringing on the individual right to read. I do not support any sort of book ban. It would be a disservice to students, parents if any censorship is imposed. Students can and will learn to think critically and make well informed decisions. Banning books is regressive, myopic and detrimental to society as well. Banning books is a fascism and has no place in democratic, open society.
