Aaron Wesolowski

Where Wesolowski stands

Topic headings are Vote Book’s; quoted words are each candidate’s own, with the source under each one. “As reported” items are a news outlet’s description, not an exact quote.

Education

What top two issues motivate you to serve on the State Board of Education?

The top two issues motivating me to serve are ensuring DC meets its obligations to students with special needs and improving transparency and accountability in school administration. Recent investigations and parent testimony show how the city has let students with disabilities down. Reversing those failures must be centered in every education policy decision. Second, families and teachers struggle to get answers or action from school leadership. Stronger oversight is essential to support special education, as well as tackling other critical issues like chronic absenteeism, restoring a dedicated nurse to every school, and balancing needed limits on screen time while making sure EdTech is evidence-backed and equitably distributed.

How do you intend to hear from, respond to, and balance the needs of students, parents, and teachers?

I will host regular community "office hours," attend school and neighborhood events, and partner closely with local school advisory teams (LSATs) and parent-teacher-student organizations (PTSOs). I will publish regular newsletters on Board actions and citywide policy, while remaining accessible to respond to questions from individuals. To balance competing needs, I will ground every decision in a few core principles: maintaining high academic standards, demanding transparent and responsive school leadership, prioritizing support for students with special needs and their families, and pushing for educators to have the resources and staffing they need to succeed in the classroom.

Do you have school-aged children?

I have two school-aged children: a daughter in ninth grade at Jackson-Reed High School and a son in sixth grade at Alice Deal Middle School. Both kids attended Janney Elementary School.

If yes, do your school-aged children attend DC Public Schools/DC Public Charter Schools? Why or why not?

Our kids have attended DC Public Schools since kindergarten and pre-K. I recognize how fortunate we are to live where we do and have access to the schools our children attend. I believe strongly in public education, having attended public schools and being the son of a public school teacher. I believe that all DC students deserve to have access to high quality public education. On the Board I will work to advocate for high academic standards, equitable access to resources, and supporting students with special needs and their families across the entire City.

Elections, ethics & government

Accountability

Regardless of the specific issue area, the public policy principle I am most passionate about is government accountability and institutional transparency. My highest priority is ensuring that our public services answer directly to the voters, families, and community members they exist to serve.

Background & priorities

What specific experience or skills prepare you to serve as a Board member?

I firmly believe our Board member should know our schools firsthand and be directly invested in DC public education. As an active parent-volunteer, I served as Janney Plus board treasurer, co-chair the Alice Deal Middle School LSAT, and serve on the Jackson-Reed PTSO board. I have also been a vocal advocate, testifying before the Board on special education, revised graduation standards, school nurse staffing, and classroom screen time and EdTech. In addition, last year I authored an op-ed in The 51st spotlighting the shift away from full-length novels in middle school English. On the Board, I will bring that same hands-on and persistent commitment to speaking up for our students, families, and educators.