Meet Montgomery Co. School Board Candidate: Rebecca Smondrowski
ROCKVILLE, MD — When voters cast their ballots in the Nov. 3 elections, they will be asked to select individuals to serve on Montgomery County's Board of Education.
Patch asked each candidate to answer questions to help provide voters with information about who they are and their stances on various issues. We are printing their responses in full, unedited except for spelling or punctuation. Below are the responses from candidate Rebecca Smondrowski.
Age (as of Election Day)
52
Town/City of Residence
Gaithersburg
Office Sought
Board of Education - District 2
Family
Two children
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No
Education
West Chester University
Occupation
Member of the MCPS BOE
Campaign website
www.RebeccaOnBoard.net
Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office
Board of Education - District 2
The single most pressing issue facing our board is ______ and this is what I intend to do about it:
Aside from the logistics of getting our students and staff back into the schools for in-person learning as soon as it is safe to do so, while also working to ensure the most effective and meaningful remote learning experience possible under the circumstances, the most pressing issue facing our board is the achievement gap.
This has become even more clear as we examine the pandemic's impact on learning. We need to use Performance Matters data and the results of the recent state-mandated standardized testing to measure learning loss and identify the students in need of additional help. Then we must move whatever boulders necessary to make it happen — to provide the supports each student needs, to make up for learning loss, and ensure all students are on the path to be successful.
We must reach into our communities with students who have traditionally struggled to ensure equitable access to resources and support. We must continue to support these students by providing them access to opportunities including social and emotional services and additional academic resources. This can be done while providing high-quality and appropriately rigorous curriculum to all students and must include further and continuing training and professional development for all educators.
What are the critical differences between you and others seeking this post?
My current and previous terms on the board allow me to lend historical perspective to issues while also maintaining a forward-thinking approach. I am a decades-long member of the Montgomery County community, a parent of two MCPS graduates, and have held several positions with the Montgomery County Parent/Teacher Association.
Making my passion and desire to improve outcomes for all students a priority in my life. I have built relationships with groups like the MCCPTA, MCPS, County Government and with the citizens of Montgomery County. I pride myself on being responsive to anyone who reaches out to me and on making sure that the community voices are not only heard but are also considered by all decision makers. I believe that I stand out because I will use my voice to speak for those who are not being heard, regardless of demographics, location, or issue. My job and my goal is to always speak for those who bestowed the honor on me of being their elected official.
What other issues define your campaign platform?
Equity
Accountability
Transparency and meaningful communication with the system and between the system and the community
Creating opportunities and equitable access to opportunities
Alternative programs for all students
The needs of our special student populations and the resources required to serve these students
What past accomplishments would you cite as evidence that you can handle the job?
During my time on the board thus far I have been a vocal advocate for the students and staff of MCPS. I have worked to create additional educational opportunities for students who needed other forms of education besides the traditional pathways. Examples of such include CTE programming like the cadet program designed in collaboration with Montgomery County first responders and growing our own teachers workforce, the expansion of our Alternative Programs and the creation of RAP for students in recovery. I also chair the Special Populations committee, which gives me great insight to the full range of needs of our students.
I have been and continue to be committed to making sure that ALL of our students have the opportunities and resources needed for a positive, successful educational experience. It is imperative that information about school operations and academic opportunities reach everyone so I initiated development of the text messaging and communications systems currently beginning to be used by MCPS.
In my time on the board we have debated school boundaries, made major curriculum changes to include the history and stories of those not generally represented, and fought to increase public school construction funding to provide our community the school facilities they deserve. My track record of success coupled with my passion for advocating for all creates the perfect formula for my continued success in this job.
Why should voters trust you?
The record of my two terms on the board reflects that I vote for my beliefs and speak for the constituents who elected me. I consistently ask questions and make every effort to represent those community members who reach out to me. I am known for making great efforts to be responsive to both my emails and other communications. I push myself and my colleagues to identify actions steps and develop plans to make the changes we talk about.
Ultimately, voters should know that I ask questions, I listen to the community, and I cast my vote based on what I believe is in the best interests of our students, staff, and community.
If you win, what would make your term a success?
I would define the '20-'24 term as successful when we are able to create additional accessible alternative programming options for our students, MCPS has a low turn-over staff retention rate and the residents of Montgomery County are able to feel the operations of MCPS and the actions of the Board of Education are conducted and communicated in a transparent, productive manner.
What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending, and handling of taxpayer money in the office you are seeking?
I believe that every dollar must be spent in a fiscally responsible manner. It is essential that programs and processes are reviewed regularly to ensure that they are fully satisfying their purpose at a cost competitive to alternate options.
Budgets must be linked to programs. It is important that we evaluate programs and initiatives and consider the value of the funds being spent. We must hold ourselves and our teams accountable for every dollar spent.
Do you support BLM and what are your thoughts on demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and shooting of Jacob Blake?
I absolutely support the Black Lives Matter and have been proud to see our MCPS students participating in peaceful protesting demonstrations. It is unfortunate that we live in a world where we have to ask this question. It is incumbent upon all of us to care about the lives of our fellow brothers and sisters. It is only when we stand together, against discrimination and prejudice, that we will find the peace we seek. I will continue to support all members of our community.
What are your thoughts on the campaign to "defund" the police?
Our county's Officer to Citizen ratio is already low and I believe the police department would operationally be negatively impacted with further defunding. Particularly in reference to training and professional development.
What we need to do is support things like social justice and equity trainings, community outreach programs, and social emotional supports.
What are your thoughts on the state and national response to the coronavirus pandemic? Do you favor such measures as limiting operation of non-essential businesses or restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a nationwide mask mandate?
We are still in the early stages of understanding the behavior of COVID-19 and its long-term effects. I appreciate the guidance of medical professionals and scientists as to what the best practices are to keep us all healthy based on what has been learned.
I support taking the necessary precautions but believe we need to be able to return our students and staff back into the buildings as soon as it can be done safely. The learning loss is just far too great.
Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?
While none of us know what the future will bring, I am dedicated to serving our community to the best of my ability and am focused on the present.
What is the best advice ever shared with you?
Someone once told me that when you run for office, you always have to remember that this job isn't about you. You will NEVER please everyone.
Do what you believe is right and even if people disagree you will be able to live with that, so don't take other people's frustration personally.
I think that this advice is not only important but based in the belief that I have to be confident in my own positions and beliefs. There will always be individuals who disagree with each of us or believe they can do a better job. Remembering that criticism to my position is not personal criticism.
Being an elected official requires thick skin, and I am grateful for the people in my life who taught me how to thicken it!
What else would you like the voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I want the voters to know that I am a mother, a community member, and at heart, a woman who believes in fighting for equity in opportunities and in resources for all students. The most important thing to me is that EVERY student receives a positive school experience... and that means different things for different children.
It's not just about getting A's & B's. It's about feeling valued, engaged, and connected with your school. It's about feeling safe, understood, and included. It means having the guidance and encouragement to reach your fullest potential, and the access and opportunities to take the pathways needed to get you where you want to go. I have dedicated myself to fighting for that...this greater vision for what education should be.
It is our job on the school board to be a voice for each of these students and to help them ensure that their hope for the future will be realized. If re-elected, I will continue to fight for equitable opportunities, individualized pathways, expanding early childhood access, and using data to make informed decisions about the needs for each child.
This is a part-time job with full-time hours and quarter-time pay…and I give it everything I have.
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This article originally appeared on the Rockville Patch
