Prince Frederick, MD – In 90 minutes, eight of the nine candidates for three seats on the Calvert County Board of Education (BOE) answered a series of questions followed by closing statements. The League of Women Voters of Calvert County sponsored the candidates’ forum, which was held Monday evening, April 11 at the St. John Vianney Family Life Center in Prince Frederick.

There are three candidates in each election district vying for four-year terms on the local school board. A non-partisan Primary Election Tuesday, April 26 will eliminate one candidate from each district race, with the two remaining candidates going head-to-head in the November General Election.

Questions regarding stances on issues such as Common Core, improving student achievement, diversifying Calvert County Public Schools’ (CCPS) workforce, Title IX and the school system’s new Equity Policy were fielded by the candidates.

Regarding the controversial Common Core, most candidates agreed the problem has been the implementation process.

“It’s a great philosophy,” said First Election District candidate and incumbent James C. Piatt. “Where we struggle is the implementation.”

“It will take time,” said former BOE member and First Election District candidate Dawn C. Balinski, who said CCPS’ initial effort to introduce Common Core “was way too fast.”

The other First Election District candidate, Stephen C. Jones Jr., stated his support for Common Core, adding that it is “being mixed up with curriculum” by its critics.
Regarding a question of improving student achievement, incumbent and Second Election District candidate Tracy H. McGuire said, “we need to make sure the best teachers are working with the most challenging students.”

Another candidate in that district, Casey Smith, stated the way to boost student achievement is to look at “where we need adjustments and give teachers the time to teach.”

“We need to know where that child is” in terms of intelligence and education, said Nancy V. Highsmith, retired school administrator and former interim superintendent, who is also running in the Second Election District. “Standardized testing is not the answer.”

During closing statements, Third Election District candidate Monica Lee Silbas said, “investing in our education is what we need to do. It stimulates economic growth.” The other candidate in that district who participated in the forum, Erin L. Knowles, indicated retaining CCPS’ staff was a priority. “I don’t want to see us lose teachers,” she said.

The third candidate in the Third Election District, incumbent Kelly McConkey was unable to attend the forum due to illness.

Each candidate participating made the case to voters for selecting them over the other two candidates running in their respective districts.

Balinski noted her previous experience as a BOE member from 2010 to 2014 in addition to her experience and success in the technology business.

Piatt called his 2014 appointment to the BOE to fill an unexpired term “a golden opportunity” and asked that the voters give him a full term. “Give me the next four years,” he said.

Jones credited the U.S. Navy with fueling his enthusiasm for learning and praised CCPS for the outstanding job of educating his children and grandchildren.

Knowles cited her degree in business administration and her volunteerism within the school system as qualifications to serve on the school board.

Silbas said she has had experience in education and politics but being the mother of two children who were educated in CCPS qualifies her for the BOE.

“I think I’m the better candidate,” McGuire declared, who cited her training with the Maryland Association of Boards of Education as a major plus. She also noted that, unlike her two opponents, she was not a career educator. “As board members, it is our job to bring a different perspective.”

“It’s the teachers in the classroom who make the difference,” said Smith, who added she would work hard to “keep our highly qualified teachers.”

Highsmith indicated that children were a priority but that the next BOE had to address budget challenges and properly compensate employees. “Their contracts are broken,” she said. Highsmith also stated the school board, in representing the taxpayers, needs to convey the benefits of a great school system to the skeptics who don’t have school-age children.

While the candidates are running in the districts where they reside, they are elected countywide. Early voting for the primary started Thursday, April 14 and runs through Thursday, April 21.

Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com