Campaign Phone
3013314119
In my two terms, we tackled achieved several state firsts: universal pre-K, Maryland's highest starting teacher salaries, fully secured buildings, and leading the state in apprenticeships. With two superintendent selections and eight budgets behind me, I'm ready to keep moving us forward.
Great schools start with great educators. Most of the WCPS budget goes directly to teachers and staff, which reflects how important they are to student success. I will continue advocating for funding that keeps compensation competitive so we can retain the talented educators our students deserve.
Students deserve clear opportunities for what comes next. I support strong academics, more chances to take college-level courses while still in high school, and expanded apprenticeships that connect students with real careers. Career counseling should help students explore their options early, and we must keep prioritizing early literacy and personalized learning. Whether a student plans for college, the trades, or military service, they should graduate truly ready for that next step.
Students succeed when schools recognize that there isn’t just one path after graduation. Washington County leads Maryland in apprenticeships, helping students gain hands-on skills and connect with employers early. We also now have a program for students considering military careers—an initiative I pushed to see implemented. I will continue supporting our “Grow Your Own” teacher program and growing career-technical opportunities in trades.
Public education is built on a simple but powerful promise: every child who walks through our doors belongs here. That promise is inspiring, but it also means schools must meet an incredible range of needs. No school can do that alone. As a board member, I will protect the public’s voice through open comment, ensure parent representation on committees, and strengthen the community partnerships that help every student succeed.
We have built something to be proud of in Washington County—now let's make it even better. My top priorities: strengthening early literacy, growing career-technical programs, keeping salaries competitive, expanding mental health supports, and challenging state overinterpretation of discipline laws that prevent teachers from maintaining basic order in their classrooms.
Campaign Phone
3019190857
I am a mom of three with an MBA, a school finance professional and Professor of School Finance for a Masters in Ed. Leadership. As the Director of Budgets for an Education Service Provider I work with principals, manage grants and report to school boards in multiple states. My goal in running is to use my expertise to make our schools better for my own young kids and for the benefit of every child in the district.
When educational outcomes are the priority everything else falls into place. I would meet individually with each principal to understand their needs because managing the budget as a whole requires understanding each part. The are always areas to cut that don’t impact instruction and those savings can be used to invest in what’s needed most. I would advocate for competitive pay and look for untapped funding sources at the state and local level.
Every high school student should receive college and career readiness counseling and at least one financial literacy course to identify the best pathway forward. Pathways can include post secondary, workforce and military ready. For those who identify as post secondary ready the district should prioritize advance placement, dual enrollment, passing Algebra II or higher, International Baccalaureate courses, and fine arts courses.
Workforce Ready preparation should include completing CTE courses, dual credit courses, workplace learning experiences, work-based learning experiences, completing world language courses, and/or teacher-related coursework. Military Ready preparation may include completing JROTC or Civic Air Patrol, completing credits in military pathway program classes such as Intro to Military Careers or ASVAB Essentials, and supporting students in passing ASVAB with scores high enough to enter the armed forces
Effective ways to engage stakeholders in education policy and funding include creating dedicated advisory committees, conducting transparent surveys, hosting community town halls, and using "Family and Educators Together" models to build trust. Key strategies involve valuing parent/student expertise, offering flexible, accessible meeting times (including in-community locations), and, where possible, providing compensation for time.
The school board needs to be working in tandem with the Board of County Commissioners, City Council of Hagerstown, and local business leaders to create mutual goals for our community. This way we can create a cohesive vision for the students of our county starting in Prek-3 and going all they way through to the jobs we are creating here so that our students want to stay in our community and are prepared to contribute to its success.
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Campaign Phone
240-310-9231
I am the only candidate that is still in the classroom, teaching adults in my case. I experience the social changes from year to year. The vastly different learning rates between classes where teachers are the authority, versus classes where teachers are kept from maintaining structure & discipline. I understand how bureaucratic mandates steal the connection between teacher & student, until crowd control comes to be called teaching. I also know the unequaled experience when student’s “get it”!
Advocating for funding requires teamwork with the County Commissioners. Most importantly, we need a return to funding programs that result in academically successful, mentally healthy students.
Since 2012 we have prioritized programs based upon their goals, rather than results. Believing that adding staff & funding would eventually achieve those goals. After 14 years of slipping in national rankings & increased mental health issues, it’s clear that time & money cannot force a program to work.
We have a fantastic Technical School that teaches the trades, such as mechanics, construction, healthcare & other professions.
There is the Barbara Ingram School for those who are passionate about the arts.
There is also our partnership with the Community College, the AP & International Baccalaureate programs for college focused students. These programs are exceptional at improving the lives of students. My concern is the average & struggling students. Their outcomes have dropped alarmingly.
We have experienced a dramatic drop in the academic achievement & mental health of students. This fall from our historic rates of success is a crisis. Employers & teachers are telling us that a critical # of students are not ready to assume the responsibilities & opportunities of the next stage of their lives. As mentioned previously, our college prep & technical career training is excellent. We need to return to the policies that prepared all graduates for the next stage of their lives.
The partnership with employers is strong. We have to use more input from classroom teachers. Our most important group are families. However, parental involvement has plummeted.
In February, the President of Dartmouth wrote in the Wall Street Journal that the philosophy that has dominated educational institutions for the last 20 years has been judged by families & employers as no longer providing value. Parental involvement can only be regained by returning to the results family’s expect.
Landon’s Puzzle Pieces is a program for autistic children with amazing results. It has potential to be a model program.
As goals-based programs have become so expensive that benefits to the disabled, the elderly, teacher’s pensions, have been cut or put at risk. The Board should include an analysis as to wether they have a benefit greater than the projected cut in benefits our students will face in other areas? If not, returning to the previous, results-based program should be considered.
Campaign Phone
301-790-0153
After 44 years in WCPS classrooms — from Title I schools to suburban campuses — I know what teachers need, what families worry about, and where students fall through the cracks. That firsthand knowledge, combined with years of service on WCPS advisory committees, means I’m ready to serve from day one.
Every dollar should reach the classroom. I will prioritize teacher salaries to recruit and retain the best educators in Washington County, fund school safety and mental health support, and invest in early childhood and CTE programs. Maryland’s Blueprint sets the framework; my job is to ensure WCPS uses it wisely — working with the superintendent and county leaders to protect taxpayers while putting students first.
Strong literacy lays the foundation, but preparation doesn’t stop there. I will support WCPS’s CTE pathways, career exploration beginning in middle school, and robust student support services for those who need extra help. When students leave Washington County schools, I want them ready — whether that means a four-year university, a trade certificate, or a career with a local employer.
Not every path runs through a four-year college, and that’s a strength, not a shortcoming. I will champion trade and vocational programs, industry- recognized certifications, and apprenticeships that connect WCPS students directly with Washington County employers. These pathways keep talented young people in our community and meet real local workforce needs.
Decisions about our schools should never be made behind closed doors. I will hold regular listening sessions with parents and students, ensure educators have a meaningful voice in policy decisions, and invite community partners — businesses, nonprofits, and civic organizations — to the table. I’ll encourage families to serve on BOE advisory committees and keep everyone informed on progress and outcomes. When our community is engaged, our schools are stronger.
My priorities are straightforward: safe schools, strong teaching, and honest stewardship of taxpayer dollars. I will advocate for every student and staff member to feel welcome and supported. I will hold the line on high academic expectations while pushing for the resources teachers need to meet them. And I will work directly with County Commissioners to secure the funding WCPS deserves — because investing in Washington County’s schools is investing in Washington County’s future.
Campaign Phone
301-791-2160
I have been involved with our schools since 1985, as a PTA President, tutor, Paraprofessional in Special Education at Salem Avenue Elementary School for 26 years and as a member of the Board of Education since 2017.
A school system has many needs, and it is the duty of a school board member to advocate for adequate funding, while being a good steward with taxpayers' money. Unfunded mandates from the state are costly, and I would like to see the county work more collaboratively with the Board of Education to help with that funding.
WCPS offers a variety of college preparatory courses as well as many career and technology pathways. We also have the #1 apprenticeship program in Maryland.
Students can take dual-credit classes to earn college credit without ever leaving their high school or they can attend HCC and graduate from high school with an associate degree. As the job market changes, we will tailor our programs to meet the needs of the job market.
I support the current programs as stated above and others that fit the needs of our students, including the many trade programs that we offer through WCPS and the Job Development Program for students earning a Certificate of Program Completion.
I frequently communicate with stakeholders by attending community events and visiting schools to attend special programs and read to students. I encourage the community to email, call or speak at meetings and let their thoughts be known.
We need to continue to look for adequate funding to recruit and retain staff, as well as to show appreciation for the current staff. I want to collaborate with the new BOCC and explore all avenues to provide funding for additional schools to relieve overcrowding in our schools.
