Disparities in student data signal a need for stronger Board focus on implementing 1080 with consistency, accountability & transparency. Students need safe ways to report identity-based bullying, with confidence reports will be acted upon. The Board should require public reporting on discipline outcomes. Restorative Justice practices and culturally responsive professional development can reduce bias and build community. Equity must be a measurable priority—reflected in classrooms every day.

Safe, functional schools are a Board fundamental responsibility. Maintenance decisions must be transparent, data-driven, and prioritize student and staff safety — including structural integrity, HVAC, fire systems, and accessibility. Howard County’s facility assessments should guide decisions based on need, not politics. Preventative maintenance avoids costly emergency repairs. The Board must partner with county officials to ensure long-term funding. Every school deserves equitable investment.

Redistricting is difficult and should never be taken lightly. Families deserve transparent data, meaningful input, and ample time to understand proposed changes. However, it becomes necessary when schools are severely overcrowded, new schools open, or neighborhoods shift. Howard County must better incorporate future developments into long-range planning. Redistricting should only occur for clear educational or operational needs—and always with data, transparency and genuine community engagement.

Education has long been underfunded, and cuts to personnel or programs are unacceptable outside emergencies. While Board members don’t control the budget allocation, I will persistently advocate for full HCPSS funding. Blueprint requirements-including universal Pre-K-must be added to existing budgets, not funded by cutting current programs. If fiscal emergency ever demands reductions, I will prioritize student-facing positions, because effective teaching in the classroom must always come first.

Students cannot learn when basic needs go unmet. While the Board cannot replace the federal safety net, we must respond when gaps affect learning. Schools should strengthen partnerships with county agencies and nonprofits to connect struggling families with resources quickly. Wraparound services - meals, health care, counseling - make academic success possible. The Board must also advocate to state and federal leaders to protect funding that keeps students healthy, fed, and ready to learn.

The Board’s role is to remove obstacles to learning and empower educators to focus on instruction. Educators and media specialists-trained in child development and curriculum-should lead materials selection. One family’s preferences should not restrict other children’s access to books or resources. If materials are challenged, structured review processes must prioritize educational merit over politics. Every student deserves access to diverse, high-quality materials that build critical thinking.

The BOE looks at suspension data by student and has already requested looking at the data by teacher. This will help principals provide training and additional resources to these teachers so they can manage students without resorting to suspension. The BOE must ensure that parents feel comfortable reporting issues to the HCPSS.When reported, issues must be taken seriously and parents treated with respect. We don't want parents to feel they have to sue HCPSS simply to be heard.

I like the idea of a data driven decision matrix to drive capital improvements, IF the model is correct. While the BOE works to perfect the model, we need to combine it with common sense and efficiencies. HCPSS must be ready for quick implementation if PayGo funds become available. All the pre-work to select vendors, develop drawings, etc should be complete as far in advance as possible. We need to flag 'emergency repairs' and address those outside the maintenance matrix.

No one likes redistricting but if we want to get more creative with ideas like voluntary transfers, magnet schools, more portable classrooms, we'll need policy change and we'll need to make tradeoffs e.g. higher transportation costs, security concerns with portables, etc. Policy 6010 defines the redistricting process and the triggers: opening/closing a school, 110% utilization. I believe that maintaining Community Stability is the most important factor of those currently outlined in the policy.

We are answering this question in March 2026 as state and local budgets have been proposed, waiting on approval. In that context, we push for the passage of the Governor's proposed increase in Blueprint funding. We lobby the County Council and Executive to approve the increase in teaching positions as more Pre-K students enter the system; and the Superintend and BOE continue to get creative with doing more with le$$ which is an issue public school systems across the country are struggling with.

Ideally all HoCo public schools would be considered "Community Schools" and as such would be able to provide additional services to the community including healthy meals when school is out of session, health clinic access, vision and dental and so much more. The Community Schools program is amazing and should be expanded.

The BOE hires the Superintendent who hires media specialist and teachers who are experts in their respective areas and thus qualified to select the age-appropriate materials to deliver the Maryland state curriculum. Policy 8040 outlines the process. The BOE must ensure that parents feel comfortable reporting concerns with specific materials to the HCPSS. When reported, issues must be taken seriously and parents treated with respect.

Schools should receive targeted supports such as early intervention, behavioral services, and staff training to ensure consistent discipline practices. HCPSS should regularly report discipline and school climate data and conduct school-level reviews when disparities appear to ensure accountability for corrective action. The district should strengthen trust in reporting systems, ensure consistent investigation and response to bullying or bias incidents, and improve communication with families.

We should use existing resources—including the capital budget, routine maintenance funding, facilities staff expertise, and the HCPSS facility prioritization matrix—while continuing to strengthen transparency and accountability in the process. Life safety and health issues must be prioritized. Strong lifecycle planning for systems like HVAC and roofs, early action on deferred maintenance, and expanded preventive maintenance can reduce long-term costs and support effective learning environments.

Redistricting can be considered when there are significantly overcrowded or underutilized schools, new schools open, boundaries need adjustments to maintain stable feeder patterns and efficient use of facilities. It can also be a factor when nearby schools have very different socioeconomic compositions. Boundary changes could improve balance without excessive transportation or disruption. We need redistricting decisions guided by transparent data, clear criteria, and community input.

I would protect core classroom services while using a phased, data-driven budget plan and maximizing state Blueprint funding. For universal Pre-K, I support a mixed-delivery model using both public schools and qualified private providers to expand access without overburdening existing schools. If reallocations are needed, they should come from operational efficiencies and phased implementation, not from core instruction or essential supports like special education or student mental health.

While the Board cannot replace federal social programs, it can coordinate with county agencies and community partners to connect families to housing, food, and healthcare resources, strengthen school-based supports such as counseling and family outreach, and sustain meal and after-school programs. We must leverage local resources to ensure students can fully participate in learning. The goal is to reduce barriers to learning while keeping HCPSS’ primary mission focused on education.

I believe the Board’s role is to ensure schools have the resources students need to succeed, including access to audio, visual, and print materials. It should set clear policies for how instructional and library materials are selected, reviewed, and accessed. The Board should also establish transparent procedures for reviewing challenged materials while supporting educators’ professional judgment and ensuring resources align with curriculum, are age-appropriate, and reflect diverse perspectives.