In a recent, comprehensive survey of teachers & staff, the following are some of the results:

• Only 25.3% of those surveyed agreed with the statement, "I have confidence in the leadership exhibited by the Howard County Board of Education." (See the complete listing of responses to this question, by school, below.)

• Only 18.7% of elementary school teachers and staff agree that,  "In my school, there is adequate support for special education students."

• More than 77% of elementary school teachers and staff say that "In my school, student misbehavior interferes with learning."

• Over 78% of all survey responders agreed that "During this current school year, I have experienced harassing behavior from parents."

Not all the news was bad. Indeed, there were many positive responses regarding overall open communication, teamwork, and equitable treatment among the 33 questions asked. To view the complete list of survey questions and responses, click here.

If you live in Councilmanic Districts One, Four or Five, you will be deciding which two of the three candidates running will move on to the General Election in November. District Two has just two candidates, and although you will be able to vote for one or two, both of them will move on to the General. In District Three, incumbent School Board member, Jolene Mosley has no challengers.

The Howard County Board of education has information on all the candidates on this page of their website.

As a candidate for the Board of Ed in District 54, the first question I am asked, indeed, that every candidate is asked, is, 'why are you running?' Here is my answer:

I am running for the Board of Education in Howard county

• Because I am passionate about education. 
• Because my eight years in the Legislature brought me face to face with the depth and breadth of problems inherent in the current state of public education. 
• Because I have five grandchildren in HoCo schools.
• Because the Howard County Board of Education needs a knowledgeable, experienced, leader; someone who knows how to read a contract and what questions to ask of staff, and I can bring those strengths to the Board 

Too many avoidable problems are happening.  

Students should be transported to school on time, in buses – not have to walk two miles—and should feel safe, once there. 

Deferring maintenance is unacceptable; our students should never have to endure schools with mold, mildew, mice (or worse) bad air quality, & too few bathrooms!

While Howard County remains a premier public school system, our margin of leadership is narrowing, and our academic scores are falling. 

I want to see that this stops, and that our schools - like our students -- are once again the best and the brightest.

Voters have an opportunity to hear and see where most of the candidates stand on issues through the numerous forums and questionnaires in which we've participated. The PTA council held an intensive one and a half hour forum that was recorded; you can watch as much as you like (or as little) by clicking here.

In addition, candidates have completed a profusion of questionnaires, including ones for the following organizations:

• The People's Voice (The Ethics Ballot)
• Howard County Jewish Advocacy Group (HoCoJAG)
• The League of Women Voters
• The Howard County Education Association
• The Baltimore Sun
• The Baltimore Banner
• The Business Monthly

(My responses will soon be posted on my website.)

HCPSS completed its proposed budget on March 7th and sent it on to the County Executive who will consider it as part of the County's overall budget process.

Prior to June 1, the County Council will provide the Board of Education with the total funding approved for HCPSS. If the County has cut that budget, HCPSS must reconvene and determine what cuts to make to arrive at the lower amount approved by the County. The Board's decision must be completed before June 1 when the final final budget for Howard County is approved.