Education - Meet the Candidates

MEET THE CANDIDATES:

We asked all of the new candidates for the Montgomery County Board of Education what motivated them to seek the position.

Here’s what they had to say.

The Montgomery County Board of Education’s Districts

EDITOR’S NOTE: We contacted all new candidates (not incumbents) and gave them the

1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 are all up for election. Earlier this year,

opportunity to share their thoughts; two candidates did not respond before press time.

the Chamber launched educatemgm.com to provide information and cultivate interest among the public to run for the board. As a result, 19 new candidates are

DISTRICT 1

seeking election.

Liletta Mahone Jenkins / As a citizen of Mont-

june

gomery, parent and an advocate for education,

november

july

I can no longer watch the public schools in my hometown fail. Because I care about the children in our public school system, I decided to

PRIMARY ELECTION

RUN-OFF ELECTION

run for the board. I believe all children deserve

GENERAL ELECTION

a quality education and failure is not an option.

Marcus Vandiver / I believe the school board is in need of fresh ideas, new perspectives and energy. My knowledge of K-12 education, ex-

FIND YOUR DISTRICT:

perience as a teacher and an educational pro-

3

fessional, and data-driven approach to problem

1 2

solving will positively impact the decisions

7

facing the board over the next few years.

6 4

Frederick Turner / The reason I'm running for

5

FIND YOUR DISTRICT AT educatemgm.com

Montgomery County School Board is because I am MPS, and I believe in the future of MPS. It's up to us to change the culture of our schools!

MONTGOMERY COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES: SOURCE: Montgomery County Elections Office DISTRICT 1

Liletta Mahone Jenkins (D) Lesa Keith (R), Incumbent Frederick Turner (D) Marcus Vandiver (D) DISTRICT 2

Brenda Irby (D) Larry Lee (R) Ted Lowry (R) Misty S. Fairbanks Messick (D) Clare Weil (D) DISTRICT 3

Brenda DeRamus-Coleman (D) Phillip Ensler (D)

DISTRICT 2

DISTRICT 5

Jannah Morgan Bailey (R)

Larry Lee / I am running for the MPS board

Dianelle Gross (D)

because we need people with common sense,

Rhonda Oats (D)

maturity, the ability to cooperate and an under-

Carey Owens Jr. (D)

standing of what goes on in our schools and

DeVona Sims (D)

the challenges they face. We certainly need

Melissa Snowden (R), Incumbent

members who are fiscally conservative.

Ted Lowry / I know we can have a world-class

DISTRICT 6

Jessica Johnson Anderson (D)

public school system. Montgomery Public Schools must have new leadership that is will-

Timothy Bass (D)

ing to make difficult decisions and back those

Claudia T. Mitchell (D)

decisions with appropriate action. Our children

Robert Porterfield (D), Incumbent

deserve no less.

Deena Weston (D)

18

MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

DISTRICT 2

Do Your Homework

Misty S. Fairbanks Messick / I am running for the board because I want to be part of the

Since a clear line can be drawn be-

solution. Our children deserve better. And they

tween quality public schools and eco-

need better if they are going to grow into suc-

nomic development (and therefore,

cessful adults. As a smart, hardworking lawyer, I

quality of life), even if you don’t have

believe I have something to contribute.

children, the state of MPS should concern you. And area parents are

Clare Weil / I am running for the board because

all too aware of how it affects their

I believe every child deserves a first-class edu-

families, knowing that their children’s

cation. The current board has failed to expect

futures are at stake. So what can you

excellence. Leadership has been missing, and

do? Dr. Ed Richardson offered a few

I hope to bring that back as well as a sense of

suggestions:

optimism that we can fix this problem.

1 / Review the current board members and the board candidates for your district.

DISTRICT 3

Brenda DeRamus-Coleman / I am a candidate for the board because I have dedicated my

Learn as much as you can about

life to education, and I want the opportunity to

them; listen to what they are saying;

help to formulate sound policies and programs

ask them questions and be specific.

to move our community forward. I believe that what is good for children and schools is good

Vote.

2/

for the community.

Phillip Ensler / I am a civil rights lawyer and former Robert E. Lee High School teacher, and I am running because our public school students deserve a fierce advocate who will fight to en-

3 / Stay informed and involved.

sure that they are receiving access to an equal, quality education.

You can’t just vote and walk away.

You have to communicate with board members and hold them account-

DISTRICT 5

able. That doesn’t mean every single

Jannah Morgan Bailey / I am a product of MPS

time something little pops up you

and I want children in our community to have

cry foul. It means attending meet-

the same quality education and opportunities

ings, expressing your opinions and

that I had. I believe this can only come with

offering your ideas. And don’t just let

change. I am running for the board because

them know when there is a problem

I have the experience to work with groups of

affecting your child. Look at and be

diverse people for a common mission.

concerned about the overall issues.

Dianelle Gross / I am a United States Air Force veteran with no education experience; yet I am a proud parent of two MPS graduates and two current MPS students. I don’t feel our children nor our schools are failing; they are victims of a failed system. It’s time to rebuild MPS.

19

MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

DISTRICT 5

DISTRICT 6

Rhonda Oats / I am running for the board

Jessica Johnson Anderson / I believe that by

because I firmly believe that education matters

investing in children, we are investing in not

for students, teachers, parents and the commu-

only their future, but our city’s as well. As a

nity. I believe our schools must provide a safe

mom, the thought that we are failing children

environment and ample opportunities for all

means I can’t stay on the sidelines anymore,

students to achieve and excel.

even if it means an uphill battle.

Carey Owens Jr. / The Montgomery Public School system is the foundation of our community. However, our foundation is cracking. We have an opportunity to make adjustments. I am asking to be the voice for the children, parents and community.

Claudia T. Mitchell / I am running for the board because our school system is facing challenges that require responsible leadership. I understand the importance of ensuring that all perspectives are heard, policies are enacted, timely budgets are adopted and decisions properly meet the needs of our constituents.

DeVona Sims / I am running for the board

Deena Weston / I believe that MPS can be-

because I believe that public education is ul-

come a success story for all families. I want to

timately connected to the vitality of our commu-

serve on the board because I believe Mont-

nity. I am running because our future depends

gomery should expect more from our public

on leaders who are willing to take a stand and

school system, and I believe I am prepared to

do the right thing.

lead MPS toward the high performing lists.

20

MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL