Anne Arundel Board of Education District 5 Choose 1
Background: Legislation enacted in 2017 changed the Anne Arundel County Board of Education from an appointed to an elected body and eliminated one adult Board position. Implementation of the new structure began in 2018 with the election of four Board members to a six-year term. In 2020, three Board members were elected to a four-year term, and in 2024, all seven adult Board positions are on the ballot.Duties: The duties of the Board include, but are not limited to, the following: selecting and appointing the Superintendent of Schools; appointing personnel; continuous appraisal of the educational and administrative management of the school system; communicating and meeting with community members, staff and students; ratifying collective bargaining agreements; adopting policies, budgets, and courses of study; establishing school boundaries; making decisions on facility, procurement and financial matters; and deciding appeals.Base Salary: $8,000 per year.Term: Four years; limited to two consecutive terms.How Elected: Elected by voters in each councilmanic district.Qualifications: The Board is comprised of seven adult members, and one student member who serves a one-year term. Members must be residents of Anne Arundel County; elected members must reside in the councilmanic district they represent. The student member is selected by the Chesapeake Regional Association of Student Councils (CRASC) and is a regularly enrolled senior-year student of good character and in good standing in a public county high school.
Biographical Information
BACKGROUND AND GOALS: How do your educational background and experience prepare you for the duties of this office and what do you hope to accomplish if elected?
Candidate has not yet responded.
AREA OF NEED: What do you consider the area of greatest need in our county's public education system and how would you propose to address it?
Candidate has not yet responded.
SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT: How would you prioritize initiatives to ensure school environments that are safe, supportive and conducive to learning and teaching?
Candidate has not yet responded.
MENTAL HEALTH: Do you believe the district should provide mental health resources for students and staff? Please explain why or why not.
Candidate has not yet responded.
EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION: In addition to fair pay and benefits, what initiatives would you support to attract and retain high-caliber teachers and staff in all district schools?
Candidate has not yet responded.
FISCAL OVERSIGHT: What are your budgetary priorities and how will you balance them with implementation of the Blueprint for Education mandates?
Candidate has not yet responded.
Biographical Information
Campaign Website
http://latoya4boe.com
Campaign Phone
4435298914
Campaign Email
latoya4boe@gmail.com
Campaign Facebook
http://facebook.com/latoya4boe
Campaign Instagram
latoya_nkongolo
Campaign Mailing Address
P.O. Box 1531
Severna Park, MD 21146
Severna Park, MD 21146
BACKGROUND AND GOALS: How do your educational background and experience prepare you for the duties of this office and what do you hope to accomplish if elected?
I am an award winning mental health expert and entrepreneur with acclaimed programs in Anne Arundel County and exceptional budget management skills. I served as the Severna Park Representative for AACPS' Citizen Advisory Committee, effectively advocating for enhanced mental health resources in public schools. Above all, I'm a proud mother of two high-achieving scholar athletes.
AREA OF NEED: What do you consider the area of greatest need in our county's public education system and how would you propose to address it?
In less than a decade, AACPS, once top-ranked in the State of Maryland, has faltered, now mediocre at best despite rising taxes and increased funding for public school education. I aim to restore academic excellence, equip students and teachers, and enhance parental involvement. My goal is to revive our schools' former greatness and ensure taxpayers' investment yields returns.
SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT: How would you prioritize initiatives to ensure school environments that are safe, supportive and conducive to learning and teaching?
To secure safe, supportive, and conducive learning spaces, I would prioritize tackling physical safety measures foremost. I'd also hold individuals accountable for disruptions hindering teaching and learning, fostering a culture of respect to create an environment where teachers can teach effectively and students can learn without impediments.
MENTAL HEALTH: Do you believe the district should provide mental health resources for students and staff? Please explain why or why not.
As a mental health therapist, I strongly advocate for schools offering support to students as well as staff. However, I recommend optimizing community resources. Schools should serve as hubs for parents and children to access information and seek referrals to various community-based providers within the county for comprehensive support.
EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION: In addition to fair pay and benefits, what initiatives would you support to attract and retain high-caliber teachers and staff in all district schools?
Attracting and retaining high-caliber teachers and staff across the district requires a multifaceted approach. Professional development must be a priority as this will enable teachers to refine their skills and excel in their profession, striving to become top-tier professionals in the field. Additionally, soliciting feedback from staff and implementing their suggestions can enhance job satisfaction and retention.
FISCAL OVERSIGHT: What are your budgetary priorities and how will you balance them with implementation of the Blueprint for Education mandates?
My budgetary priorities revolve around ensuring adequate funding for essential educational resources, improving reading and math proficiency among elementary students and updating curriculum materials. To balance these priorities with the Maryland Blueprint for Education mandates, I would allocate resources strategically, prioritizing initiatives that align with the blueprint's goals while seeking innovative and cost-effective solutions to meet all educational needs.
Biographical Information
Campaign Website
http://Danaforboe.com
Campaign Email
danaforboe@hotmail.com
Campaign Facebook
http://facebook.com/danaboed5
Campaign Instagram
instagram.com/danaboardofed
Campaign Mailing Address
PO BOX 143
Arnold, MD 21012
Arnold, MD 21012
BACKGROUND AND GOALS: How do your educational background and experience prepare you for the duties of this office and what do you hope to accomplish if elected?
I'm a public school parent with an MBA and have served on the Board for the last 6 years, chairing multiple committees, I work with billion-dollar budgets, served through a global pandemic, a national superintendent search, a transportation shortage, new school start times, & the passage of the Blueprint. Improving early childhood literacy, expanding mental health counseling, fighting censorship & extremist policies, & implementing the Blueprint with fidelity are my goals in a second term.
AREA OF NEED: What do you consider the area of greatest need in our county's public education system and how would you propose to address it?
Improving early childhood literacy is a topic the Board has discussed for years. We have addressed this issue by selecting a nationally recognized superintendent who has ample experience improving student outcomes. A new curriculum based on the science of reading will be implemented next year alongside enhanced supports for secondary students who continue to struggle in this area. Expanding access to full day preK as well as community partnerships to mentor students will also improve outcomes.
SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT: How would you prioritize initiatives to ensure school environments that are safe, supportive and conducive to learning and teaching?
I stand by my record of supporting a school climate that is inclusive, welcoming, safe, & supportive:hiring 73 new school counselors, psychologists, & social workers, supporting our SROs, implementing restorative & positive behavioral practices, & fighting censorship & regressive policies, to name a few. Additionally, I supported budgets & dozens of contracts that include a variety of school safety systems & measures (cameras, locks, etc). All will continue in a second term.
MENTAL HEALTH: Do you believe the district should provide mental health resources for students and staff? Please explain why or why not.
My record proves my support: I’ve voted to add more school counselors every year.. Many of our students come to us with trauma, exacerbated by the pandemic & the national gun violence epidemic. Stress & feeling unsafe adversely impact learning & teaching. My worst days as a Board member are when my phone rings with the news of yet another suicide. I will always support measures & cooperative efforts with the county to support student & staff mental health including those in the Blueprint.
EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION: In addition to fair pay and benefits, what initiatives would you support to attract and retain high-caliber teachers and staff in all district schools?
Our excellent teachers require better pay. Over the last five years I have substantially increased teacher pay & restructured salary scales which moved us from 19th to 4th for new teacher salary in MD, supported “grow our own” programs to encourage our students to pursue careers in teaching & recruitment efforts nationally & internationally, career ladders that incentivize teachers to stay in the classroom, & student schedules that increased planning time for all elementary school educators.
FISCAL OVERSIGHT: What are your budgetary priorities and how will you balance them with implementation of the Blueprint for Education mandates?
My budgetary priorities are in line with the Blueprint: higher teacher pay, expanded early childhood education, more opportunities for students to prepare for college and career, and more mental health services. Our Superintendent supports these priorities as well. We must ensure that public school funding is not siphoned away to private and home schools so our students have the resources they need which must be distributed equitably. I remain against unfunded mandates imposed by the state.