The six candidates for the two contested St. Mary’s County Board of Education seats in next Tuesday’s primary faced each other for the second time on Thursday at a forum sponsored by the St. Mary’s County League of Women voters. The forum at the Lexington Park Library featured the two incumbents emphasizing their experience on the board and the four challengers emphasizing their professional and community resumes with some offering opinions of needed changes.
The forum moderated by Pat Dunlap featured opening statements and written questions turned in by the audience. Each candidate was asked a question and the other candidates were not allowed to respond to that question.
At-Large incumbent Marilyn Crosby said her 28 years of educational experience in the classroom plus four years on the board gave her a front-row seat. “I understand the intricacies of education,” she said in her opening statement.
She said her goal for another term would be manageable class sizes. She said some first- and second-grade classes have 29 students. She said she knows all of the county commissioners. “I will take them to the schools and show them what it is like to teach a class of 29.” She noted that the 43-teacher reduction in the system this year is only partially being overcome with the request for 23 more teachers next year.
Crosby, in response to a question of school safety, said the system has been addressing the issue, and mentioned the recent College of Southern Maryland play on bullying seen by all 9th and 10th graders. Regarding discipline issues, she said, “If it happens it has to be addressed.” She added that more counselors were needed.
In her closing she said, “This board with its experience has created a first-rate school system.”
Challenger James Tomasic said, “I am an advocate for common sense solutions.” He said his children were his motivation for running. Tomasic works on base and has been involved in youth activities for a number of years.
In response to a question about e-readers Tomasic said he still favored textbooks and was concerned about the cost of purchasing e-readers.
Tomasic said in his closing that he was “proud of the teachers and staff in St. Mary’s County Public Schools.” He noted that no other current member has kids in the public school system (although Crosby has a grandchild).
Challenger Trisha Post, the mother and guardian of children in the system, is the current County Council of PTA’s chair. She noted he
