BOE election candidates 2024

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Melissa Kim gets things done. She was the lead at DCPS and people loved working with her!

What is her connection to MCPS?

She lives on MoCo. I think her kids go to school in MCPS.

[Anonymous]

I’m voting against all the incumbents. I’m glad they got rid of McKnight, but it’s way too late — they generally act like they work for MCPS and not vice-versa. They are the oversight body but don’t seem to understand this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New candidate in District 2 (running against Smondrowski): Aby Thioye

Candidate filing ended Tuesday, February 09, 2024, at 9:00 p.m. Does this mean thr final list is out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New candidate in District 2 (running against Smondrowski): Aby Thioye

Candidate filing ended Tuesday, February 09, 2024, at 9:00 p.m. Does this mean thr final list is out?

Today is Wed., Feb. 7th. Filing ends Friday night.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m voting against all the incumbents. I’m glad they got rid of McKnight, but it’s way too late — they generally act like they work for MCPS and not vice-versa. They are the oversight body but don’t seem to understand this.

They ALL playing the optics game. So be careful who goes in. Smoski was trying to run for another position or get appointed (legislative aide or something) in an election in recent years, wasn't she? If it's true, she's been trying to get out of the BOE.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are any candidates focusing on education? By that I mean curriculum, grading, grouping, and especially classroom discipline/safety - the things that directly affect all children in how they learn.

It seems like there are always a lot of peripheral issues which may be important and need consideration, but the primary goal of school is education, and I’d like a candidate who will focus on that.

Your best bet is to vote straight Apple ballot.

that is how we got Lynne Harris

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One more candidate has filed for the at-large seat: Rita Montoya

A quick google search shows keywords such as: social justice advocate, Cannabis, NCC Elementary School PTA etc

Maybe someone from North Chevy Chase ES can chime in

From what I’ve seen at NCC, she’s done a great job. Very innovative ideas, very communicative and inclusive. I don’t know her personally. She looks just like AOC to me.

Is she on the PTA there?

New poster and NCC parent. Yes, she is the PTA President. I agree with the PP and would add that she's done a good job getting the PTA books updated and organized and generally making sure procedures are in compliance and transparent. I don't know that I'll agree with her positions, but her slogan is "Accountability, Leadership, Oversight, and Transparency" so I'm guessing she's unhappy with the current situation.

NP but interested in learning more about her. IMO, the board really needs someone to advocate for elementary education. The current members all seem pretty removed from that lifestage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MoCo360 reporting that Shebra Evans is in fact going to run for reelection.

https://moco360.media/2024/02/05/with-filing-deadline-looming-mcps-school-board-race-heats-up/

We need to fight like hell to get her out. She is a waste of space in that seat. I can't point to a single accomplishment she's made since serving on the board.

Just vote for Laura Stewart.

Lynne Harris is enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are any candidates focusing on education? By that I mean curriculum, grading, grouping, and especially classroom discipline/safety - the things that directly affect all children in how they learn.

It seems like there are always a lot of peripheral issues which may be important and need consideration, but the primary goal of school is education, and I’d like a candidate who will focus on that.

Your best bet is to vote straight Apple ballot.

that is how we got Lynne Harris

Nope. Harris's opponent received the Apple ballot endorsement, and she won anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are any candidates focusing on education? By that I mean curriculum, grading, grouping, and especially classroom discipline/safety - the things that directly affect all children in how they learn.

It seems like there are always a lot of peripheral issues which may be important and need consideration, but the primary goal of school is education, and I’d like a candidate who will focus on that.

Your best bet is to vote straight Apple ballot.

that is how we got Lynne Harris

Nope. Harris's opponent received the Apple ballot endorsement, and she won anyway.

Oh snap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are any candidates focusing on education? By that I mean curriculum, grading, grouping, and especially classroom discipline/safety - the things that directly affect all children in how they learn.

It seems like there are always a lot of peripheral issues which may be important and need consideration, but the primary goal of school is education, and I’d like a candidate who will focus on that.

Your best bet is to vote straight Apple ballot.

that is how we got Lynne Harris

Do NOT vote straight Apple ballot!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m voting against all the incumbents. I’m glad they got rid of McKnight, but it’s way too late — they generally act like they work for MCPS and not vice-versa. They are the oversight body but don’t seem to understand this.

They ALL playing the optics game. So be careful who goes in. Smoski was trying to run for another position or get appointed (legislative aide or something) in an election in recent years, wasn't she? If it's true, she's been trying to get out of the BOE.

Yes:

https://moco360.media/2023/06/02/democratic-committee-to-consider-one-of-its-own-to-fill-district-17-delegate-vacancy/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One more candidate has filed for the at-large seat: Rita Montoya

A quick google search shows keywords such as: social justice advocate, Cannabis, NCC Elementary School PTA etc

Maybe someone from North Chevy Chase ES can chime in

From what I’ve seen at NCC, she’s done a great job. Very innovative ideas, very communicative and inclusive. I don’t know her personally. She looks just like AOC to me.

Is she on the PTA there?

New poster and NCC parent. Yes, she is the PTA President. I agree with the PP and would add that she's done a good job getting the PTA books updated and organized and generally making sure procedures are in compliance and transparent. I don't know that I'll agree with her positions, but her slogan is "Accountability, Leadership, Oversight, and Transparency" so I'm guessing she's unhappy with the current situation.

NP but interested in learning more about her. IMO, the board really needs someone to advocate for elementary education. The current members all seem pretty removed from that lifestage.

That is very true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One more candidate has filed for the at-large seat: Rita Montoya

A quick google search shows keywords such as: social justice advocate, Cannabis, NCC Elementary School PTA etc

Maybe someone from North Chevy Chase ES can chime in

From what I’ve seen at NCC, she’s done a great job. Very innovative ideas, very communicative and inclusive. I don’t know her personally. She looks just like AOC to me.

Is she on the PTA there?

New poster and NCC parent. Yes, she is the PTA President. I agree with the PP and would add that she's done a good job getting the PTA books updated and organized and generally making sure procedures are in compliance and transparent. I don't know that I'll agree with her positions, but her slogan is "Accountability, Leadership, Oversight, and Transparency" so I'm guessing she's unhappy with the current situation.

NP but interested in learning more about her. IMO, the board really needs someone to advocate for elementary education. The current members all seem pretty removed from that lifestage.

That is very true.

And yet seem just fine advocating for it or questioning MCPS staff about ES.

[Anonymous]

Seriously? How many of these newbies understand the MCPS budgeting process, Capital and Operating? How many have ever testified before the Board of Education? How many know how to get anything done? Laura Stewsrt is someone who does. The rest of these folks can blow smoke as much as they want, but will be like catnip for the long-term MCPS staff. And, as one former board member said, "you need 5 votes [to get anything done]." That was Jeanette Dixon, who tried, but wasn't able to get the 5 votes.

Rebecca Smondrowski has tried. I'm a supporter. Lynn has also pushed back on the entrenched MCPS staff. Let's get some people in there who know where and how to push, and know how to get things done. Lynn, Laura and Rebecca will all have my votes, no matter what the Apple Ballot says in the end.