The six candidates for three seats on the St. Mary’s County Board of Education in the 2012 General Election met in a debate Tuesday at Great Mills High School. As could be expected the three incumbents emphasized their experience and the three challengers offered fresh ideas. The debate was part of a St. Mary’s County League of Women Voters forum that also featured the circuit court judgeship candidates: http://www.thebaynet.com/news/index.cfm/fa/viewstory/story_ID/29799
In the non-partisan race, At-Large incumbent Marilyn Crosby is facing challenger James Tomasic, District 2 incumbent Cathy Allen is being challenged by Jim Davis. District 4 incumbent Mary Washington is facing political newcomer Joel Rose. Washington was elected in the first elected school board race in 1996 and has served four terms. Allen was first elected in 2000 and has served three terms. Crosby is seeking a second term.
Editor’s Note: The Bay Net will be presenting individual stories on all of the candidates which will feature transcribed interviews with them. The stories will run during the next two weeks prior to the beginning of early voting.
The debate was largely low key with little disagreement over the issues, although there were a few exceptions. There was some divergence of opinion on the issues of vouchers and diversity training.
Davis said he supported vouchers “if it is handled properly.” The other five candidates opposed, for a variety of reasons. Tomasic and Rose said it would be more costly, particularly for transportation. Washington said emphatically, “There is no proof that a voucher program leads to better schools.” Allen said a voucher program is not something that could be initiated locally; it would have to be a state-wide discussion.
Rose, in veering from the other candidates on the issue of diversity training in schools, said he favored a broad diversity discussion with students but not specifics. He said that was up to the parents. “I don’t think it should be forced on them (the students and parents),” he said.
All of the incumbents said they disagreed with how the issue of turning over contract employees to a private agency was handled by the superintendent. Crosby said it was known several months before an attempt to put the issue on the consent agenda. She said the workers should have been given more notice.
Washington, while disagreeing with how it was handled, said the board had no choice in the matter. Davis said, “I agree with Mary. We have to be careful with unfunded mandates.”
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