Unfortunately, not all of the schools in our district are performing as well as they could. Equitable school funding is critical for the success of all in our district. Increasing the effectiveness of all schools results in higher property values, an educated workforce that attracts businesses and safer streets. Most importantly, it supports our most important resource, our children.

I am committed to working with the State Legislature, State and County Boards of Education, the teachers and our PTAs to address this important issue and find cost effective, fiscally responsible ways to solve this dilemma.  As your councilwoman, I promise to encourage and support:

• Reduction of class sizes and preventing the overcrowding of schools
• Maintain funding to renovate and/or build new schools and facilitating transitions toward greener schools
• Finding ways to attract and keep successful, experienced teachers at schools that are struggling.
• The development of a district-wide community service network to provide cost-effective early intervention for at-risk youth along with mentoring/tutoring opportunities when requested and where appropriate.
• Resistance to methodologies, like AIM, that take away from meaningful classroom instruction and burden our hard working teachers. http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/education/blog/2009/12/ baltimore_county_teachers_and.html
• Cooperative PTA strategies to get the most out of fundraising dollars
• The proactive development of strategies to deal with proposed State transfer of teacher pension obligations to the County
• The effective use of technology to enrich our children’s education and help teachers communicate with parents in the easiest, most direct and cost-effective manner.
• Making cross-curricular connections to increase the effectiveness of drug awareness programs