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)
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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.
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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.
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MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL