Below the radar?

This article is written by Sharon Dooley, a former candidate for County Council from the Second District (Upcounty).

Is the Board of Education primary race below the radar this year? With a spirited Presidential campaign now finally featuring 2 candidates for the Democrats, and a greatly reduced slate on the Republican side, the Board of Education race may be overlooked by some.

If one adds to these contests the media attention given to the 4th District Congressional race between Edwards, Wynn and a host of other candidates, many voters would be hard pressed to name the candidates who are running for the Montgomery County School Board.

Half of the school board is elected every two years and seats vary from district to at-large races, even though all candidates run countywide. This primary selects the two candidates who move forward in the non-partisan contest for a position on the General Election list.

The February 12th election will feature no contests in District 2 (Rockville area) where Steve Abrams (incumbent) and Laura Berthiaume will move onto the November Ballot, and District 4 (Silver Spring) where recent appointee Christopher Barclay will face the electorate unopposed.

The real contest will be in the race for the at-large seat. On the slate of five, frequent candidate Tommy Le faces off against second time candidate Phil Kauffman (endorsed by the principals) and newcomers Alies Muskin, who has the teachers nod, teacher Rob Seubert and Carey Apple. Those in the know believe that Kauffman and Muskin have the best chances to move forward to the fall contest.

This writer favors Kauffman, an attorney for the VA, who is a veteran PTA Board member from Olney. He is respected for his hands-on approach to problem solving and inclusive manner in discussions. His wife is a county schoolteacher, and I am confident he will be watchful of the needs for both students and teachers.
Since he has experience both in contract law and budgets, I believe he has the knowledge to read between the lines and find ways to identify efficiencies and savings in these times of tight budgets. In my opinion, since the School Board uses half of our county revenues, we need to be certain that we, as a county, continue our commitment to educational excellence in a fiscally responsible manner.

Sharon Dooley lives in Olney


The list from the Board of Elections is noted below.

Don’t forget to vote for your choice on February 12th.

Board of Education At Large

Apple, Carey - Non-Partisan

Kauffman, Phil - Non-Partisan

Le, Tommy - Non-Partisan

Muskin, Alies - Non-Partisan

Seubert, Rob - Non-Partisan

District/Circuit 002

Abrams, Stephen N. - Non-Partisan

Berthiaume, Laura V. - Non-Partisan

District/Circuit 004

Barclay, Christopher S. - Non-Partisan