St. Mary's County Board of Education District 4 voters guide

St. Mary's County Board of Education District 4 voters guide

Charles Carrington

Town of residence: Lexington Park

Age: 27

Question 1: Do you feel board of education members should weigh in on what books are allowed or banned from schools?

I believe the school board should weigh in on the matter from a policy standpoint. And I like that phrase, “weigh in.” This is a community issue that requires the input of parents, educators and administrators in collaboration to arrive at a sensible solution. We need clarity, common sense and perhaps a little imagination here. School libraries serve our children so it stands to reason that the school library should contain age-appropriate books and media. Anything questionable in that regard should perhaps require express parental consent before a child can check them out or even have access to browsing. Likewise we need clear communication to parents by teachers of what books and media teachers may want to include in the classroom. There must be continuity between what parents teach at home and what educators teach at school. And certain topics should be relegated purely to parents. It is not the school’s responsibility or proper purview to engage in the discussion of certain topics with children. The schoolhouse is for education, not political or moral agendas.

Question 2: What would be your approach to solving the ongoing issues regarding school discipline?

We have to specifically identify what we mean by “school discipline” first. The related issues include public safety, and we should be concise in identifying them. The term “ongoing” implies recognition of the frequency of incidents that fall into this category. So, I am in favor of developing a joint task force that would identify the kinds of problems, specific problems, that make this a major public concern. Then, I would recommend that the resulting data be used to carefully craft regulations, policy, and legislation that will enable us to corral the issues we are confronted with. There may be no solution agreeable to all, but there must be a solution to constrain violence in any case. The school board would be the ideal entity create such a task force. It represents schools and public.

Question 3: Do you support the school system’s superintendent, and do you have any specific praise or criticism for the superintendent?

Yes. I think it important for the school board to support the office in order for it to be effective. I first met the current superintendent when I was a kid and I would say he is a good fellow but I also have some concerns given the fact that we have for the past several cycles received zero dollars in state supplemental grants which appears to be tied to maintenance of effort funding, and the superintendent’s office is directly responsible for making sure these things are effectively addressed.

David Drys

Town of residence: Hollywood

Age: 46

Question 1: Do you feel board of education members should weigh in on what books are allowed or banned from schools?

Yes, I feel that the board of education, along with parents and educators, should be a part of the decision of what books are in the schools.

Question 2: What would be your approach to solving the ongoing issues regarding school discipline?

All school staff need to have clear guidelines for how discipline should be handled within the school and there should not be any deviation. Having firm and consistent rules will ensure everyone understands the consequences of their actions. Additionally, I would look to ensure resource officers are property trained and equipped to handle any altercation that may take place to keep both the staff and other students safe.

Question 3: Do you support the school system’s superintendent, and do you have any specific praise or criticism for the superintendent?

I believe Superintendent Scott Smith has done a good job with the tools he has to work with. While I do not agree with all the decisions he has made, the fact he is handcuffed by things outside of his control makes his job very difficult. This is where the board of education should be pushing back against Annapolis and leveraging the other rural counties to make our voices heard as well as helping to educate parents and the public as to what the board of education and superintendent have the power to do and not to do.

Mary M. Washington

Town of residence: Lexington Park

Age: 71

Question 1: Do you feel board of education members should weigh in on what books are allowed or banned from schools?

The board of education has through its policies that are in compliance with state law in the review, consideration and selection of instructional materials and resources. It would be helpful for the public to read Policy IJ and Regulation IJR Instructional Resources and Materials, and Policy KEC and Regulation KECB Public Concerns and Complaints.

Question 2: What would be your approach to solving the ongoing issues regarding school discipline?

The first step is prevention. If students see something they should say something and not repeat it. With electronic surveillance and maintaining a good relationship with our law enforcement partners, we are able to prevent many issues for occurring or escalating. We have an incredible staff of social workers, psychologists, resource officers, safety assistants, pupil personnel workers to identify students in need of intervention.

Questions 3: Do you support the school system’s superintendent, and do you have any specific praise or criticism for the superintendent?

Scott Smith is an excellent superintendent. He has been with St. Mary’s public school system since 1991 as a classroom teacher. He has an excellent working relationship with the St. Mary’s County commissioners, community partners, system employees, parents, students and board of education members. We are glad to have him serve as our superintendent.

MICHAEL REID