(9/1) In December 2019, when I applied for the vacancy on the Board of Education left by Joy Schaefer’s departure, I knew there would be big shoes to fill if selected. I could not have imagined what the next months would hold. My decision to apply for the opening, and to run to hold that seat, are based on my experiences working with school systems around Maryland and advocating for positive changes. After being appointed to the BOE by County Executive Gardner in January, I filed my paperwork to fight for the needs of Frederick County students, teachers, and families as a 2020 candidate. After listening to and hearing from families, teachers, and students, my campaign platform focuses on the issues of resources, access, and equity – three tenets most critical in improving all student outcomes.

Frederick County’s average cost per student as calculated by the Maryland State Department of Education last year ranked 2nd from the bottom. Despite starting to recover from drastic under-funding, our system simply does more with less. More dollars allocated does not automatically equate to improved outcomes – I argue for fiscal responsibility with the dollars that we do allocate – and yet, under-spending in FCPS during past years forced prioritization that resulted in significant inadequacies in important budget items.

When the BOE approved the 2020-2021 school year budget, we made tough decisions about halting planned program expansion, reducing the numbers of specialized staff to be hired, while expanding access to technology given the virtual learning environment of COVID-19. However, additional resources and programming to meet the unique needs of students is needed – not just now in the midst of the pandemic, but upon return to school buildings – including mental health programming, restorative practices, programming to reach learners with limited English proficiency, and wraparound support services.

I believe strongly that expanding access to programming, especially high-quality career and technical programs also offer additional pathways to success for our students. While the 26 CTE programs currently in place within FCPS offer excellent opportunities, I would like to prioritize the expansion of Construction Technology Programs like Carpentry, Mechanical Programs like Collision Repair, and Service Programs like Cosmetology. Our schools must acknowledge that every child is not collegebound, and make efforts to remove the stigma of pursuing alternative post-secondary options. Ensuring access to career technology programming during COVID-19 is challenging given the hands-on nature of lessons and experiences. FCPS is exploring face-to-face instruction in some CTC programming during small group instruction this fall.

In March, when students and educators exited their school buildings, focus shifted to the immediate needs of reimagining education during the global pandemic. During the BOE meeting on July 29, we heard from the Health Department’s Dr. Brookmyer, to hear medical advice on social distancing, masks, and quarantine procedures in the case of positive COVID-19 cases. While no one on the BOE is a medical expert, the health and safety of all staff and students is the true "north star" guiding decision-making. At that meeting, members voted to start the school year virtually, with small groups of face-to-face instruction led by teachers and support staff who will opt in to provide these services.

The decision to implement a virtual-only first semester was not taken lightly as we received many emails of concern from students, educators, and parents. School is much more than a building where students come to learn – the social-emotional connections developed in classes are highly linked to mental health and wellness; school cafeterias provide meals that some students might not otherwise eat; and the robust discussions that occur in class can be difficult to achieve online. There are still families that lack access to technological devices and high-speed internet – making virtual learning a challenge. FCPS deployed thousands of laptops and hot-spots around the County in the spring – and will do so in the fall – and worked with Internet providers to increase connectivity, though gaps still persist. For students, parents, and educators – this back-to-school season will be unique beyond measure and not without challenges. FCPS continues to prioritize the skills, knowledge, and well-being students will need to be successful - academically, socially and emotionally.

My eight-month tenure on the Board of Education is unlike any other in the history of Frederick County. My experience, like that of my children, thousands of teachers, and ultimately, the people of Frederick County as a whole, will provide tremendous insight into the system of education the next Board of Education envisions in the aftermath of the pandemic. Beyond the current crisis in front of us, my hope is that the BOE will further reimagine education, to increase resources and access for all students with equity behind all of our decisions.