BOE election candidates 2024

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Lynn directly incurred a ton of costs with her hard-line stance on LGBTQ book policy, refusing to meet with the Ethiopian community directly and working or pushing MCPS to find a compromise so we wouldn't incur legal expenses having to defend a policy that wasn't even voted on by the full MCPS community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

LOL lots of businesses have budgets
Lots of people know how budgets work
Lots of people know what a cover up and fraud look like

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

I expect to vote for Lynn and Laura, but I would consider serious alternative candidates to Rebecca, if any are running.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

I expect to vote for Lynn and Laura, but I would consider serious alternative candidates to Rebecca, if any are running.

Aren't Lynn and Laura running for the same seat? So it'd be either or.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Lynn directly incurred a ton of costs with her hard-line stance on LGBTQ book policy, refusing to meet with the Ethiopian community directly and working or pushing MCPS to find a compromise so we wouldn't incur legal expenses having to defend a policy that wasn't even voted on by the full MCPS community.

I'm not crazy about Lynn but that was the right call. Accepting bigotry is non-negotiable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

I expect to vote for Lynn and Laura, but I would consider serious alternative candidates to Rebecca, if any are running.

Aren't Lynn and Laura running for the same seat? So it'd be either or.

It looks like Lynne Harris is running at large and Laura Stewart is running for District 4.

Here’s the Maryland Board of Elections page listing candidates.

https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2024/Primary_candidates/gen_cand_lists_2024_1_by_county_ALL.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Lynn directly incurred a ton of costs with her hard-line stance on LGBTQ book policy, refusing to meet with the Ethiopian community directly and working or pushing MCPS to find a compromise so we wouldn't incur legal expenses having to defend a policy that wasn't even voted on by the full MCPS community.

I'm not crazy about Lynn but that was the right call. Accepting bigotry is non-negotiable.

I think reasonable people would disagree on whether supporting an opt-out for ELA material that families find objectionable is bigotry, especially since it was previously allowed and then removed without input from the communities who took offense.

Furthermore, refusing to meet with with the Ethiopian community, who is not going away anytime soon from MCPS, shows an inability to build bridges, community and compromise, which is precisely what good leaders strive to do. Lynn did none of the above and dug in her heels and even offended the community further with some of her remarks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

I expect to vote for Lynn and Laura, but I would consider serious alternative candidates to Rebecca, if any are running.

Aren't Lynn and Laura running for the same seat? So it'd be either or.

It looks like Lynne Harris is running at large and Laura Stewart is running for District 4.

Here’s the Maryland Board of Elections page listing candidates.

https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2024/Primary_candidates/gen_cand_lists_2024_1_by_county_ALL.html

Ooh! Got it. Having a hard time keeping it all straight. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

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.

+1,000,000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

I expect to vote for Lynn and Laura, but I would consider serious alternative candidates to Rebecca, if any are running.

Aren't Lynn and Laura running for the same seat? So it'd be either or.

It looks like Lynne Harris is running at large and Laura Stewart is running for District 4.

Here’s the Maryland Board of Elections page listing candidates.

https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2024/Primary_candidates/gen_cand_lists_2024_1_by_county_ALL.html

It’s simple. If you like the way things are going for MCPS and want to keep the status quo, vote for Lynn Harris and Laura Stewart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

I expect to vote for Lynn and Laura, but I would consider serious alternative candidates to Rebecca, if any are running.

Aren't Lynn and Laura running for the same seat? So it'd be either or.

It looks like Lynne Harris is running at large and Laura Stewart is running for District 4.

Here’s the Maryland Board of Elections page listing candidates.

https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2024/Primary_candidates/gen_cand_lists_2024_1_by_county_ALL.html

It’s simple. If you like the way things are going for MCPS and want to keep the status quo, vote for Lynn Harris and Laura Stewart.

Laura Stewart is running against Shebra Evans, the incumbent in District 4.

[Anonymous]

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.

A candidate who can knowledgeably focus on curriculum choices-- the cost, the student cohorts to which the curriculum is directed, and the process of choosing curriculum (e.g., are teachers/master educators involved in the decision-making for choosing the curriculum) -- will get my vote.

[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.

I am happy that she was able to reorganize and ensure compliance with the PTA at NCC, but oversight as a BOE member is a whole different endeavor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Lynn directly incurred a ton of costs with her hard-line stance on LGBTQ book policy, refusing to meet with the Ethiopian community directly and working or pushing MCPS to find a compromise so we wouldn't incur legal expenses having to defend a policy that wasn't even voted on by the full MCPS community.

I'm not crazy about Lynn but that was the right call. Accepting bigotry is non-negotiable.

I think reasonable people would disagree on whether supporting an opt-out for ELA material that families find objectionable is bigotry, especially since it was previously allowed and then removed without input from the communities who took offense.

Furthermore, refusing to meet with with the Ethiopian community, who is not going away anytime soon from MCPS, shows an inability to build bridges, community and compromise, which is precisely what good leaders strive to do. Lynn did none of the above and dug in her heels and even offended the community further with some of her remarks.

Meeting with any group to discuss unacceptable bigotry would be wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Lynn directly incurred a ton of costs with her hard-line stance on LGBTQ book policy, refusing to meet with the Ethiopian community directly and working or pushing MCPS to find a compromise so we wouldn't incur legal expenses having to defend a policy that wasn't even voted on by the full MCPS community.

I'm not crazy about Lynn but that was the right call. Accepting bigotry is non-negotiable.

I think reasonable people would disagree on whether supporting an opt-out for ELA material that families find objectionable is bigotry, especially since it was previously allowed and then removed without input from the communities who took offense.

Furthermore, refusing to meet with with the Ethiopian community, who is not going away anytime soon from MCPS, shows an inability to build bridges, community and compromise, which is precisely what good leaders strive to do. Lynn did none of the above and dug in her heels and even offended the community further with some of her remarks.

Meeting with any group to discuss unacceptable bigotry would be wrong.

This inability to engage in sensitive or controversial topics with nuance and maturity is why we are where we are as a school district. Keep it up.