By Adam Pagnucco.
Previously, I introduced this series and asked the candidates about what they believed was MCPS’s biggest problem and their experience with budgets. Today, let’s talk about incumbency.
Here is a basic rule of elections: races with incumbents in them start with evaluations of the incumbent’s record. If a voter believes that an incumbent has done a good job, they will usually vote for the incumbent. Why make a change when things are going well? If the voter believes the incumbent has failed, then they are willing to consider challengers. So a fundamental task of any challenger is to persuade voters that the incumbent has committed a firing offense. Hey challengers – if you can’t do this, you will probably lose!
This question is two-fold. First, I asked the incumbents to describe their achievements in office. Second, I asked the challengers to describe what they would do differently than the incumbents.
Question for incumbents only: Please describe your achievements on the board.
Lynne Harris, At-Large (Incumbent): I analyze every consent agenda item, pulling all that don’t provide enough information for me to cast an informed vote. The ongoing result – change in MCPS practice to add information so the public can see how fiscal resources are being used to meet system needs.
As Chair of Fiscal Management I created a standing agenda item for Sustainability, highlighting MCPS work to become a Net Zero system, paving the way for our aggressive new Sustainability Policy, creation of the Student Climate Action Council, and partnership between MCPS and county agencies to meet MoCo’s Climate Action Plan goals.
Continuously support work creating inclusive, affirming classrooms, to ensure the anti-Racist action plan addresses bigotry of every type. I push MCPS to incorporate the lived experience of students, staff and community to improve the operations of MCPS from the user perspective.
I’m focused on reform and professionalization of the Office of Human Resources and Development and Department of Compliance and Investigation, including benchmarking to industry norms and evidence-based best practices, routine monitoring and tracking of investigations shared with the OIG and public, standardization of investigatory practices, expectations for efficiency and fidelity, and hiring qualified professionals in key areas of OHRD/CDCI work. That’s started.
Rebecca Smondrowski, District 2 (Incumbent): I am extremely proud of my accomplishments. I have been a vocal advocate for the students and staff of MCPS. I have worked to create additional educational opportunities, expanding CTE programming and growing our own teacher workforce. I lead the expansion of Alternative Programs and the creation of RAP for students in substance recovery. I established and chaired the Special Populations and currently chair the Policy Management Committees which gives me great insight into the needs of our students and the importance of clear and current policies. I was a leader in improving the nutritional value of school meals and the dining for dignity program. For the past decade I have been a vocal advocate of sustainability in MCPS. In my time on the Board, I have fought to increase public school construction funding and worked with our communities to build new schools alleviating overcrowding. My track record of success coupled with my passion for advocating for all and maintaining an independent voice for my constituents creates the perfect formula for my continued success in this role.
Shebra Evans, District 4 (Incumbent): The National School Board Association (NSBA) awarded MCPS the 2020 Magna Award for innovation in education for the Equity Accountability Model. As president on the board, I was proud of the work being done to disaggregate the data and unmask the disparities that existed for Black/African American; Latino/Hispanic students impacted by poverty and all other students impacted by poverty having varying performance, depending on the school. Gaps in education come into sharper focus through the model. As chair of the Maryland Association for Boards of Education (MABE) Educational Equity committee, I led the committee in developing a governance workbook. It guides any school board in any state on how to lead their district with equity as a focus. Many policies but the one focused on food and nutrition services was important because it addressed child hunger by providing more meal options. Universal screening is allowing more students in elementary and middle school to access enriched and accelerated programming. Expanding prekindergarten is one of my priorities and since 2017 MCPS has been able to add hundreds of full day pre-K seats every year. Regional International Baccalaureate programs have been added at three high schools. Offering two-way immersion programs, no fees for college courses and AP and IB exams, dual enrollment, and more.
Question for non-incumbents only: Tell us something you would do differently than the incumbent against whom you are running.
Sharif Hidayat, At-Large: The incumbent (At-Large) has not done enough to address teacher grievances. When the President of MCEA says “MCPS has failed us”, know that we are in a bad place. The recent OIG report exposed the lack of oversight by the incumbent. School Board members are responsible to ensure that the Superintendent does their job. Everyone can see that didn’t happen.
Melissa Kim, At-Large: No response
Jonathan Long, At-Large: The current board is not deeply connected with the community. I would regularly visit with parents and teachers on a bimonthly basis, changing locations around the district to better understand specific needs and concerns in each community. It’s important to read reports and crunch the numbers to understand issues. But, until you talk to people impacted by those policies, it’s hard to make wise decisions.
For example, it’s helpful to know that the National Association of School Psychologists recommends a 500:1 student to psychologist ratio. But, it’s crucial to know that a parent meeting with the school is delayed for weeks because the school psychologist is stretched thin between several schools.
Getting out into the community is not only important for formulating good policy, but also for gauging the political temperature in the community. If the current board had been more involved with the community, they would have addressed the improprieties and scandals of the previous superintendent much sooner.
Fitzgerald Mofor, At-Large: I am a nonpartisan consensus builder who is receptive to ideological diversity, willing to matriculate across the aisle, and even willing to work with parents collaboratively. Condescension and piousness are foreign to me when interacting with people I may disagree with. Political ideology will not be a priority; I will be focused on advocating for livable wages for para-educators, expanded pre-kindergarten programs, funding for new career and technical education schools, and nixing educational learning losses post-pandemic.
Rita Montoya, At-Large: I will listen to students and educators when they tell me they are unsafe and I will take action. I will also hold myself and my colleagues accountable and treat problems with the level of seriousness they deserve.
Brenda Diaz, District 2: Ms. Rebecca Smondrowski’s actions on the Board don’t align with her platform. While advocating for collaboration, her decisions suggest otherwise. I pledge to reinvigorate the teacher-parent partnership by respecting parental input, attending PTA meetings, and adjusting BOE meeting times to accommodate parents. I’ll also extend public comment time to three minutes for better community engagement. Unlike Smondrowski, who supported virtual learning and sports cancellation through her vote, I’ll be courageous enough to prioritize children’s best interests. To decrease class sizes, I’ll redirect Central Office staff to schools, ensuring resource allocation aligns with student needs. My approach emphasizes real proactive leadership based on actual community engagement, accountability, and prioritizing student success.
Ricky Fai Mui, District 2: The most important aspect of Leadership is first-hand Situation Awareness. I use the Gemba Walk; time is set aside to visit the schools, PTAs, and MCPS events in District 002. School officials would be able to recall the last time I visited the school, know me by sight; I would understand what works and what does not work at the school. Approving a budget for expenditures without doing any homework is irresponsible. No family in MoCo sends blank checks out to the community and hopes that it is spent well. There has to be accountability for the decreasing College readiness of our high schools and students, while our operating budget increases.
Overall, MCPS population of students.. is similar to 2019 numbers. What has significantly changed is that we are now supporting a larger population of Non-English speakers in MoCo. From a purely business side, we have more consumers of Public Education, but yet the number of taxpayers and median income falls short of the financial demand.
Do Different. We cannot allow any MCPS Student to fall short of academic expectations. Hold students accountable for their effort.
Aby Thioye, District 2: The District 2 incumbent is the longest-serving member of the board of education and I see no sign that she has ever exercised meaningful oversight over a school district that has become national news for its seemingly unending series of scandals due to mismanagement and lack of transparency.
Natalie Zimmerman, District 2: I would advocate for full funding of the budget that our kids need in order to be successful. I would not be afraid to go to the County Council and ask for the capital needed for educators and students. As a teacher in multiple Title I Community Schools, I have seen firsthand how our children are negatively affected by the lack of resources afforded to them. Our system cannot continually function at the expense of our children and their futures.
Bethany Mandel, District 4: Shebra Evans is part of the system that has failed Montgomery County parents and students for over a decade. Laura Stewart has the kiss of death, in the form of an endorsement from the teacher’s unions, and would be a continuation of more of the same policies that have broken MCPS. If you think this district is going in the right direction, vote for Shebra. If you want that trajectory to accelerate, vote for Laura. If you think maybe it’s time to shift gears, I’m your girl.
Laura Stewart, District 4: I will be a champion of transparency and open data while on the board. After reading the Office of Inspector General reports, I decided to run for my district seat. I did not see the level of oversight from the incumbent that is needed over MCPS, an organization which is entrusted with spending over three billion in the operating budget and about two billion in the CIP. No other entity can effectively do that oversight. If there were rumors “swirling around” as described by an employee in MCPS, I would insist that those rumors be followed up upon to ensure that they are indeed only rumors. Any anonymous allegation sent to my inbox will be taken seriously, and treated as information to be followed up upon by a fair process.
I will also present resolutions if I do not see the Superintendent moving towards more transparency or the priorities set forth by the BOE. The Board must at times be willing to direct the Superintendent. I would have also taken the no-confidence votes by our union partners as important information and would have worked with them to settle the issues that caused such a vote.
Next: Opt outs for parents.