Anybody know anything about Omar Lazo? Teachers' union pick for BOE At Large seat

[Anonymous]

Who is Omar Lazo? I'm sick of people who don't know much about the school system running for the BOE.

https://www.omarlazo4boe.com/meetomar

[Anonymous]

He’s a really nice guy, small business owner and heavily invested in the community. His kids are in Mcps. I’m voting for him.

[Anonymous]

OP, Omar Lazo is not some rando. He isn't an established politician, but as someone who is "sick of people who don't know much about the school system running for the BOE" I'm surprised you haven't even heard of him.

[Anonymous]

I'll probably cast my vote to him not because of apple ballot, but because of his expertise in financial management. So at least one person sitting in BOE won't be easily fooled by TT's budget table.

BTW, I was impressed by his performance in the BOE candidate forum (youtube has recording). Just realized this is the person that apple ballot endorses here.

[Anonymous]

If he is on the Apple Ballot then I will certainly be voting against him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If he is on the Apple Ballot then I will certainly be voting against him.

That’s my position on it too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If he is on the Apple Ballot then I will certainly be voting against him.

+2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he is on the Apple Ballot then I will certainly be voting against him.

+2

+3

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If he is on the Apple Ballot then I will certainly be voting against him.

I'd warn you against conflating teachers (Apple Ballot) with your general distaste of MCPS Central Office.

Teachers want what is best for kids, generally, so I don't understand this resistance to their recommendations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he is on the Apple Ballot then I will certainly be voting against him.

I'd warn you against conflating teachers (Apple Ballot) with your general distaste of MCPS Central Office.

Teachers want what is best for kids, generally, so I don't understand this resistance to their recommendations.

Because it's not general teachers making the recommendations. It's a very small number of union reps who determine apple ballot pics - they don't necessarily represent the majority of teachers. This time they made decisions before all candidates had even filed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he is on the Apple Ballot then I will certainly be voting against him.

I'd warn you against conflating teachers (Apple Ballot) with your general distaste of MCPS Central Office.

Teachers want what is best for kids, generally, so I don't understand this resistance to their recommendations.

It's the union I'm wary of. As a general rule, the Board members they endorse have been terrible.

[Anonymous]

I would not support union thugs bc they don't support teachers when they take our money. They have no qualms with admin not adhering to the legal parameters of our contract contributing to burn out and job insecurity not to mention safety issues and data manipulation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he is on the Apple Ballot then I will certainly be voting against him.

I'd warn you against conflating teachers (Apple Ballot) with your general distaste of MCPS Central Office.

Teachers want what is best for kids, generally, so I don't understand this resistance to their recommendations.

It's the union I'm wary of. As a general rule, the Board members they endorse have been terrible.

He doesn’t choose who endorses him and is not union.

[Anonymous]

I don't know who to vote for but I certainly know who to not vote for: anyone currently in BOE. Budget always up, education quality down, money thrown on studies over studies that are not applied, crazy ideas (like closing Wooton). I think enough is enough. We might be blue but we are not stupid.
To see whom to vote for I go on their websites. If quality of education is not #1 priority then you don't get my vote.
Omar Lazo's priorities (taken from his website) are:
"- Strengthen support for educators and ensure classrooms have the resources they need
- Expand equitable access to academic and career programs, including language support, arts, STEM, and early college pathways
- Improve communication and family engagement, so parents and caregivers are informed, included, and respected
- Rebuild trust and transparency in decision-making and budgeting"

No, I will not vote for him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know who to vote for but I certainly know who to not vote for: anyone currently in BOE. Budget always up, education quality down, money thrown on studies over studies that are not applied, crazy ideas (like closing Wooton). I think enough is enough. We might be blue but we are not stupid.
To see whom to vote for I go on their websites. If quality of education is not #1 priority then you don't get my vote.
Omar Lazo's priorities (taken from his website) are:
"- Strengthen support for educators and ensure classrooms have the resources they need
- Expand equitable access to academic and career programs, including language support, arts, STEM, and early college pathways
- Improve communication and family engagement, so parents and caregivers are informed, included, and respected
- Rebuild trust and transparency in decision-making and budgeting"

No, I will not vote for him.

I’m just starting to research this and I’m not familiar with him. But based on what you just shared, I think I’d be inclined to vote for him.