By Adam Pagnucco.
MCPS has a $3.3 billion annual operating budget and a $1.9 billion six-year capital budget. Accordingly, I asked this:
Question: Describe any experience you have in overseeing budgets of large organizations.
Lynne Harris, At-Large (Incumbent): For the past 3+ years on the Board of Education I have taken a deep dive into the process of analyzing the fiscal and operational needs of MCPS, tying that to our Theory of Action/Coherence model in which everything is evaluated in conformity with the Strategic Plan, looking at the budget recommendations coming from the Superintendent– both Capital and Operating – and assessing those in conjunction with my ongoing work to understand the work of each Office, Department and Division of MCPS. Then asking substantive questions during budget work sessions and meetings so that I feel confident in the final budgets that MCPS sends forward. I also regularly attend the County Council’s Education and Culture and other committee and whole Council sessions when MCPS budgets and operations are on the agenda so that I have a solid sense of the thinking of our funders.
Rita Montoya, At-Large: I will work to get caught up to speed on the $3b+ MCPS budget like incoming Board Members before me. I learn quickly and also commit to gaining any skills necessary to fulfill all of my Board duties.
Brenda Diaz, District 2: Recently, the Taxpayers’ League of Montgomery County conducted a thorough analysis of MCPS’s budget in their two-hour-long Budget-palooza. During this meeting, the speakers highlighted notable areas of both concerns and achievements for each department. Due to my experience within MCPS as a Social Studies Teacher at Gaithersburg High School and as a building representative for MCEA during that time, in addition to serving as an administrator at a local progressive private school in D.C., I was able to ask pointed questions about several departments during this Budget-palooza, including Special Education. Because I possess the necessary keen insight into how MCPS functions, I will be able to ask the required hard questions of MCPS as a Board member.
In addition, as a small business owner in Montgomery County and mother of three children, I recognize wasteful spending when I see it. From analytical skills to marketing and strategic planning to budgeting, running your own educational program requires the same skills as overseeing a large organization.
Natalie Zimmerman, District 2: I have been part of managing budgets for congressional campaigns, Dance Marathon at The University of Michigan, and budgets at non-profit organizations. While I have not been a treasurer of an organization for about 10 years, I know how every penny is impactful on students and educators from my classroom experience.
Shebra Evans, District 4 (Incumbent): A key role of a school board member is adopting both an operating and capital improvements program budget. I have had the responsibility over the past eight years to oversee both budgets totaling on average over $4 billion annually. These investments ensure we remain laser focused on students, staff, classrooms and schools. The Board’s strategic plan outlines the work and is our guide to ensure students are college, career and community ready. In addition, I serve as treasurer for the Maryland Association for Boards of Education (MABE) and as a MABE OPEB Trustee. My previous work as an analyst afforded me the opportunity to have a portfolio that represented over $50 million in monthly accounts receivables.
Laura Stewart, District 4: I have tracked the MCPS Capital Improvements Program (CIP) as the Montgomery Council of PTA’s (MCCPTA) CIP Chair for the last 6 years. I’ve used the county’s Office and Managements Budget site to track where the money is coming from and how it is allocated. I’ve also used the MCPS CIP publication which are all PDFs of tables and in past years I did analysis on spending patterns, sometimes transcribing the information into useful datasets. I used this information to advocate for using our funds more equitably and efficiently. I have also participated in the quadrennial review of the Adequate Public Facility Ordinance and in the last review I actively advocated to ensure that there are revenue streams to build school capacity in order to match new needed development. I will be a good steward of our tax dollars if elected.
I’ve also been on boards and have managed budgets. If I see irregularities, I will act. While on a board, I chaired an ad-hoc audit committee as a result of financial irregularities that the executive committee was not addressing. This led to the conviction of the then-treasurer and new safeguards. I have experience in taking oversight seriously.
Next: on the incumbents.
Prior questions: boundary review, grading policy, electric bus contract, MCPS’s biggest problem.