Abdel is a critical and independent thinker who has been prioritizing transparency and
accountability as a School Board Member. He questioned norms that prohibited Board Members
from communicating to their constituents through the media.
His mission was clear: to represent the people who entrusted him.
Abdel also advocates for data-driven decisions and improved metrics
to ensure that the system works effectively for all citizens.
Abdel has also championed pay increases to educators in every budget adopted
by the School Board.
Successfully sponsored a budget amendment adding a psychologist
position to the high school.
Successfully co-sponsored a budget amendment making all elementary
school psychologists full-time positions.
Successfully sponsored a budget amendment adding additional
full-time teaching positions in the high school to ease the burden
on teachers with large classes.
Advocated for collective bargaining for ACPS staff and served on the
School Board Collective Bargaining Committee drafting the resolution adopted by the Board to
eastablish the first collective bargaining process in ACPS in recent history.
Drafted and passed a resolution requesting the City to implement 15 mph
school zones in partnership with community advocates and organizations resulting in safer streets around all Alexandria City schools.
Sponsored two budget amendments aimed at evaluating and improving
restorative practices to end disproportionate suspensions of
students of color.
Advocated for smaller class sizes and tackled classroom overcrowding
through the enforcement of class size caps regulations, initiating a redistricting
process, increasing teaching positions, and securing funding for the construction of new schools.
Served on the School Board committee tasked with interviewing and selecting the search firm which provided essential support to the Board during a nationwide superintendent search that led to the successful hiring of a permanent ACPS superintendent.
