Board of Education Candidates Debate Superintendent Search, County Council Relationship

Candidates for the Montgomery County Board of Education discussed plans to strengthen the board's relationship with Montgomery County Council, select a new superintendent and involve parents at a candidates forum at Rockville Memorial Library on Monday evening.

Seven candidates were given one minute to respond to each pre-approved and audience-submitted question at the forum, which was sponsored by the League of Women Voters and Friends of the Library. This year, Districts 1, 3 and 5 as well as one At Large position are up for election. Voters across the county vote for all Board of Education members, no matter which district they live in.

Candidates mentioned different ways to build a stronger relationship with the Montgomery County Council.

Meeting with county council members regularly can help improve relations and help solve budget concern when they arise, said Mike Durso, an incumbent for the District 5 seat.

Shirley Brandman, incumbent for the At Large seat, said her already strong ties to many councilmembers make her a valuable candidate.

"The council is receptive to education, we just need to continue to work with them to meet the board's goals," Brandman said.

Also, candidates highlighted some of the characteristics they would like the new Montgomery County Public Schools superintendent to have. 

The Board of Education should seek a candidate who is effective and interested in conducting business in an open and transparent manner as well as an advocate for special education, said Karen Smith, a District 3 candidate,

Mike Ibañez, a District 1 candidate, said Spanish fluency is crucial for a new superintendent, given the changing demographics in Montgomery County. The new superintendent should also think outside of the box when it comes to finances and education, he added.

Patricia O'Neill, a District 3 incumbent, said the superintendent needs to be a strategic thinker who knows where to lead the school system.

"The superintendent needs to envision where we need to go knowing we don't have the luxury of extra money right now," O'Neill said.

Budget concerns weaved into many responses from the candidates during the forum. From fiscal year 2010 to fiscal year 2011, the Montgomery County Public Schools operating budget decreased from $2.2 billion to $2.1 billion. The decrease came after several years of increases in the operating budget. For example, the operating budget increased more than $100 million between fiscal years 2009 and 2010.

Improving the involvement of parents in low-income areas solicited varying responses from the candidates.

District 1 incumbent Judy Docca said one way to involve those parents who typically work long, non-traditional hours is to visit the home before the school year begins and let parents know the school's expectations for its students. Evening workshops in several languages could help involve those parents, too, Docca added.

District 5 candidate Martha Schaerr said that empowering parents and letting them know the curriculum is vital to the success of the students. Involving teachers, parents and students in the education process creates the best environment for education, she added.

The forum provided an opportunity to learn about the candidates and to help the electorate make informed decisions in November, said Jane Josephs, a Bethesda resident who attended the event.

"I'm very interested in knowing about the Board of Education and this was a very nice way to learn about the stances of all of the candidates," Josephs said.