Wicomico school board candidates talk how history is taught, book censorship, safety
Hot button topics in education have made national headlines this year. And those issues have surfaced in what's become hotly contested school board races.
In Wicomico County, where an elected school board is still fairly new, the Board of Education contests have followed that path, taking tones from national conversations.
The Local News Network at the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism and Capital News Service compiled school board candidate Q&As. In all, 155 local boards of education candidates in Maryland were surveyed, 102 of which responded.
In Wicomico County, nine of the 14 candidates for Board of Education responded. Wicomico's school board is nonpartisan.
Candidates were asked about the most important issue facing schools, concerns they have about school safety, concerns about how history is taught and about the removal of books from school libraries, among other issues.
Here are the answers for Wicomico County Board of Education candidates:
Meet the candidates
At-large (2 seats): George Demko, Bonnie H. Ennis, Kristin N. Hazel, Darren J. Lombardo
District 1: Luc Angelot, Allen C. Brown Sr.
District 2: Gene Malone, Karin Miller
District 3: Leonard Arvi, Susan W. Beauchamp
District 4: David Plotts, Ann Brittingham Suthowski
District 5: John Palmer, Jake Blank
ELECTION: Eastern Shore candidates took an 'anti-government' group's class
The following candidates did not respond to the survey: Bonnie H. Ennis, Kristin N. Hazel, Darren J. Lombardo, Susan W. Beauchamp, Jake Blank.
Responding candidates bios — and additional Q&A responses — appear at the bottom of this article.
PRIMARY Q&As: Wicomico school board: What candidates say about school safety, test scores, curriculum
At large
George Demko
What is the most important issue facing your school board, and what would you do about it if elected?
Encouraging families and teachers to work together to improve schools.
How concerned are you about school safety, and what if anything should be done to improve it?
Very. Our SROs are doing a good job, but we need to improve psychiatric services to ID potential problems.
Do you have any concerns about the way history is taught in your district’s schools, and if so, what are they?
My chief concern is that some groups are trying to prevent honest teaching of our history.
Do you think there are circumstances when books should be removed from school libraries, and if so, what kind of books should be removed?
Parents and caregivers should be responsible for what their kids read, not politicians.
District 1
Luc Angelot
What is the most important issue facing your school board, and what would you do about it if elected?
Presently, the No. 1 issue facing the district is learning loss due to COVID restrictions. I plan to expand tutoring and make the mental health of our students, teachers and staff a priority, all to ensure that we can move forward. 'As for the No. 1 issue facing the school board, like most in the community, I agree they're out of touch. Getting elected is the No. 1 solution. We could also look into term limits and age limits.
How concerned are you about school safety, and what if anything should be done to improve it?
I am very concerned about school safety. I was 9 years old when the Sandy Hook shooting took place. My generation grew up fearing a possible shooting happening at any moment.
From my plan to make mental health a priority, to continuing to work with local law enforcement, retrofitting our buildings to be well secured and taking social media threats seriously, we can do things to make sure students feel safe.
Do you have any concerns about the way history is taught in your district’s schools, and if so, what are they?
I do not have many concerns; however, as a history nerd and Afro-Latino, I notice our history glosses over what people who looked like me went through. Let's teach the good, the bad and the ugly. No one should learn more about history on social media than in school.
Do you think there are circumstances when books should be removed from school libraries, and if so, what kind of books should be removed?
We already have a process for approving books and removing obscene books. I do not believe books should be removed from our school libraries because they have LGBT topics or are heavily race-based.
No one forces a student to check out a book from the library. Some people take books entirely out of context and demand they are banned. As a pastor’s son, I always urge people to read Ezekiel 23:20. If someone only read that excerpt with no context of what is going on in the rest of the book, there would be people demanding it is taken off of the shelves.
Allen C. Brown Sr.
What is the most important issue facing your school board, and what would you do about it if elected?
Currently, there are two most important issues facing our schools today. They are school safety and maintaining and recruiting a highly skilled workforce. I will continue to work toward advocating for the necessary funding to improve these two areas.
How concerned are you about school safety, and what if anything should be done to improve it?
I am very concerned about school safety. I will continue to seek to acquire monitoring equipment throughout all of our schools at their entrance and exits. Also, I will continue to support training for students and staff for emergency situations, which would include such practices as fire drills, intruders in the building and other community threats.
Do you have any concerns about the way history is taught in your district’s schools, and if so, what are they?
Yes, I have concerns about the way history is taught in our district's schools. I would like to see a revision of our history textbooks to be more reflective of historical events and more inclusive of all persons involved.
Do you think there are circumstances when books should be removed from school libraries, and if so, what kind of books should be removed?
Yes, I think there are circumstances when books should be removed from school libraries. Any books that do not follow our county guidelines and requirements for the Blueprint for Maryland Schools should be removed.
MARYLAND SCHOOL BOARD RACES: School board candidates cite learning loss, student performance as biggest issues
District 2
Gene Malone
What is the most important issue facing your school board, and what would you do about it if elected?
There are several important issues facing us today. But I have to say school safety ranks No. 1 for me. If our faculty, staff, students and parents do not feel safe in our school, then it is nearly impossible to accomplish our other goals. Students can't learn and teachers can't teach if they do not feel safe. See next answer for what I will do, if elected again.
How concerned are you about school safety, and what if anything should be done to improve it?
I am always concerned about school safety. In my tenure on this board, we have successfully secured all school entry vestibules, air-conditioned the remaining schools (which allows all doors and windows to remain closed and locked) and provided many hours of safety training for all school personnel. My next step, if reelected, is to "push" for school resource officers in all schools, not just middle and high schools.
Do you have any concerns about the way history is taught in your district’s schools, and if so, what are they?
I do not. All curriculums must be and are approved by the Board of Education. Therefore, I am comfortable with what is being taught. I also have visited classrooms and seen firsthand what we are teaching.
Do you think there are circumstances when books should be removed from school libraries, and if so, what kind of books should be removed?
If we are apprised of a book that a parent or other citizen believes is in a school library and should be removed; we have a policy and process in place to review said book. The policy states the book is reviewed by a committee of parents, teachers and other citizens, and they make a recommendation to the superintendent and the board of whether it should be removed. As a board member, I believe we should abide by their decision.
Karin Miller
What is the most important issue facing your school board, and what would you do about it if elected?
Bridging the achievement gap that has been exacerbated by the pandemic is the most important issue. My experience as a teacher in creating curriculum, implementing curriculum and using data to inform my instruction will inform my questions for our school leaders and the decisions I make as a board member. How policies will impact what happens in the classroom will be foremost in all of my decisions.
Increasing student achievement requires attracting/retaining quality teachersk so we need to work with schools to improve the climate for all stakeholders so that our teachers want to stay. Creating a safe environment where students are able to learn without distraction improves learning outcomes for all.
How concerned are you about school safety, and what if anything should be done to improve it?
School safety is a concern throughout the country. We need to make sure our buildings are safe, but we also need to address the mental health crisis within our student population. It should not be a question of school resource officers OR social workers; they both have a role to play in creating a safe atmosphere within our schools.
Increasing the number of social workers available as well as programs that help students learn to regulate their emotions beginning in kindergarten will both reduce school violence as well as classroom disruptions. Making sure our SROs have the training they need to form positive relationships with our students is equally important.
Do you have any concerns about the way history is taught in your district’s schools, and if so, what are they?
I do not have any concerns about the way history is taught in my school district. Maryland content standards have been established for every grade level and those content standards should continue to be taught. Teachers should remain politically neutral in their teaching and students should be encouraged to develop critical thinking skills.
Do you think there are circumstances when books should be removed from school libraries, and if so, what kind of books should be removed?
We have a process for approving books that requires parents, teachers, students and board members to actually read the books in question. Books that are approved based on that criteria should not then be removed.
SAFETY: Holly Grove adds school resource officer amid increase in nationwide school violence
District 3
Leonard Arvi
What is the most important issue facing your school board, and what would you do about it if elected?
Mental health wellness and behavioral issues need the greatest attention. The WCPS must hire more social workers, behavioral health specialists to ensure the wellness of students, staff and teachers' morale. Working with the state, regional and community organizations in ensuring social deficiencies are addressed proactively and creatively.
Post-pandemic-related life disruptions, be they socio-economic, psychological, cultural, are the reasons for poor education outcomes. Especially when there is a significant digital divide, lack of family support in online learning has led to notable learning losses across all grades.
How concerned are you about school safety, and what if anything should be done to improve it?
Every student must be able to attend school without any fear or anxiety of being caught up in a fight. The arduous reporting system to discipline problematic students is the leading cause of teacher burnout, attrition and general dissatisfaction. Enforcing a student code of conduct, providing alternative restorative justice mediation, will be helpful.
Teachers, administrators must be empowered to discipline students who create an unsafe environment through restorative justice mediation. Repeat offenders must be suspended from schools to safeguard the rest of the students.
Do you have any concerns about the way history is taught in your district’s schools, and if so, what are they?
No. There is a well-funded misinformation movement that spreads lies about what is taught in schools. We have such candidates contesting in this election. This is very concerning.
It is no brainer that students must be taught by teachers free of any sort of interference. Teachers know best and leave it to them to do their jobs in the best manner possible.
Academic freedom is the reason that the U.S. continues to excel in innovation. Any laws, mandates curtailing this are myopic, regressive and detrimental in developing empathetic, critically aware citizens.
Do you think there are circumstances when books should be removed from school libraries, and if so, what kind of books should be removed?
Students must be exposed to all kinds of books. Banning books is infringing on the individual right to read. I do not support any sort of book ban.
It would be a disservice to students, parents if any censorship is imposed. Students can and will learn to think critically and make well informed decisions.
Banning books is regressive, myopic and detrimental to society as well. Banning books is a fascism and has no place in democratic, open society.
District 4
David Plotts
What is the most important issue facing your school board, and what would you do about it if elected?
The most important issue is the implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. The legislation contains many of my priorities, such as increased staff retention and salaries, expanded pre-kindergarten, mental health support, and college and career readiness pathways (including career and technology education). Our board will need to properly implement Blueprint or risk reduced state funding in subsequent years.
However, there are other equally important issues such as addressing discipline, safety, and educator retention and attraction. There are a multitude of volunteer opportunities in every school that I’d like to see fulfilled by our community members.
How concerned are you about school safety, and what if anything should be done to improve it?
As a parent of current students, and a friend of teachers, I have firsthand experience in the concern for all students’ and staff safety, which ranges from discipline to active shooters. In my conversations with stakeholders, I have found that the county's code of conduct is either not being enforced or not being enforced equitably.
We need to reevaluate our code of conduct and (take) progressive discipline steps to ensure it fits the needs of our students and educators, and can be enforced. At the same time, we also need to keep our schools safe from mass shootings and other threats of violence using evidence-based and expert-endorsed actions.
Do you have any concerns about the way history is taught in your district’s schools, and if so, what are they?
I believe that teaching complete and accurate history is necessary. Doing so can help students develop empathy for other people and find commonality with them. Additionally, I believe we need to ensure our history textbooks and classroom materials are accurate and not whitewashed.
Do you think there are circumstances when books should be removed from school libraries, and if so, what kind of books should be removed?
I believe that books in school libraries should offer a broad background of information, including opposing sides of controversial issues and a global perspective, to foster critical thinking by students along with promoting diversity and inclusion. School libraries are an important resource for those who lack access to county libraries. As long as books are age appropriate and meet all policy requirements, they should not be removed from any school library.
Ann Brittingham Suthowski
What is the most important issue facing your school board, and what would you do about it if elected?
Our parents want more local control over curriculum, scheduling and selection of library books. We are working with them on these problems. However, with The Blueprint For Maryland’s Future, the state will be controlling much of what will be going on in our schools.
How concerned are you about school safety, and what if anything should be done to improve it?
We are doing a great job in Wicomico County. Our entrances to all of our buildings are closed and monitored. We have cameras throughout all of our buildings and SROs in all of our middle and high schools.
Do you have any concerns about the way history is taught in your district’s schools, and if so, what are they?
I currently sit on the curriculum committee. My greatest concern is that there is no longer a seperate course in Maryland history being taught. Our curriculum is good, if the teacher stays with it and doesn't bring in their personal issues.
Do you think there are circumstances when books should be removed from school libraries, and if so, what kind of books should be removed?
We had an issue in March with the book “All Boys Aren't Blue.” We found two copies in two high school libraries and removed them. We had no objections about their removal. However, we had about a hundred attendees at the BOE meeting objecting to the book.
District 5
John Palmer
What is the most important issue facing your school board, and what would you do about it if elected?
Critical Race Theory has been around for years. Getting CRT ideology out of all schools is a must. Deal with it through school policy and state legislation. Evoke parental help.
How concerned are you about school safety, and what if anything should be done to improve it?
I divide safety into two areas. One is physical safety, which in our county could help solve with the appropriate number of school resource officers. The other is mental safety, which is being exerted on our students by Critical Race Theory. It is a battle for our students and we must, must succeed.
Do you have any concerns about the way history is taught in your district’s schools, and if so, what are they?
Yes, I have deep concerns about the way U.S. history is being changed and deleted by the woke movement. I'm concerned that the citizens do not have the resolve for the task of ridding our society of this Marxist threat. I pray that I'm proven wrong.
Do you think there are circumstances when books should be removed from school libraries, and if so, what kind of books should be removed?
Yes, there are many circumstances in curriculum, library and media centers. There are topics that should be taught by school and some by parents. Gender issues, pornography, same-sex marriage, dating and other similar issues should not be taught in schools.
Bios
George Demko (at large)
Age: 80
Employment: Retired
Education: Ph.D.
Why are you running for the school board? Concerned about future of public schools.
What makes you a good candidate for the board? Ongoing history supporting public schools as parent, teacher & volunteer.
Luc Angelot (District 1)
Age: 18
Employment: College student; Director of visual & auditory arts at EBC
Education: Graduated in 2021 from Wicomico High School
Why are you running for the school board? I decided to run for many reasons, but I chose to run mainly to bring a young voice to the board. This board's decisions primarily affect teachers, parents and young people – students or not. Yet, I am also running to give immigrants, mainly Latino immigrants, a voice. As a first-generation Haitian American and a not-so-distant graduate, I will bring a well-needed fresh perspective to the Wicomico County School Board.
What makes you a good candidate for the board? My ability to connect with the masses. Many people who have never voted have pledged to vote for me because they see me as "one of us." My goal is to refresh the board with new ideas; although they are new, they have been lauded as common sense solutions by groups on both sides of the political spectrum.
Allen C. Brown Sr. (District 1)
Age: 76
Employment: Retired educator
Education: Master’s degree from Salisbury University in Administration Supervision
Why are you running for the school board? I am a product of the Wicomico County school system and have been fortunate to have had a 40-year career in the county, retiring as assistant superintendent of Student Services. I have served on the Board of Education for five years. I know the role and responsibilities of the Board of Education member. I have seen the growth and progress that has occurred and hope to be a part of the continued success of the county school system.
What makes you a good candidate for the board? I have worked for the school system for 40-plus years and have served as a board member for five years. I know the role of a board member, the school administration and the school staff and the part that the parents and community play for a successful school system.
Gene Malone (District 2)
Age: 65
Employment: First Shore Federal Savings & Loan Association, Vice president & senior commercial loan officer
Education: B.S. Business Administration, Salisbury State College (now Salisbury University
Why are you running for the school board? I am a native of the area. I am a graduate of our county's public school system, as is my wife, who I met in school. Our three sons are all grads of this public school system. My parents and grandparents were also graduates of this school system. I want to give back to the school system that provided the foundation for my entire family's success. I have already served on the board for 6 ½ years and truly want another four years to finish much of what we started to improve the schools but were interrupted by the pandemic.
What makes you a good candidate for the board? I have the experience already, having served as stated for 6 ½ years. I have a passion for public education and making it the best it can be. As a local business leader, I see firsthand what the impact is on our county of graduating well educated young people. It is a fact: The strongest economic driver for any area is the quality of their public schools. I want to be a part of continuing to make ours the best!
Karin Miller (District 2)
Age: 64
Employment: Retired teacher. Worked in Wicomico County Schools for 19 years.
Education: Master of Science in Mathematics Education
Why are you running for the school board? We are facing difficult issues that require creative solutions and a willingness to communicate effectively with parents, students, teachers, administrators, and a willingness to look at what has and hasn’t worked in the past and an open mind to look for new solutions. As a teacher in Wicomico County this is what I had to do every single day to reach and motivate my students and connect with their families. Having recently retired I have a unique perspective (as) to what is going on in our schools, what is working and what is not working. I believe in our students, our families and most importantly, in our schools.
What makes you a good candidate for the board? I have been actively involved in WCPS for the past 23 years as a parent volunteer, an officer in the PTA, a substitute teacher, and a teacher at both elementary and middle school in our county. I believe in our schools; in our students and their families, and I understand the importance of education to the economic future of our county. I understand the challenges we face, having worked to ensure my children and my students received the best education possible. I bring the same drive and passion to this role that I brought to my classroom for 19 years. I have a history of working with parents and advocating for my students to improve student outcomes and will continue to do so as a board member.
Leonard Arvi – District 3
Age: 47
Employment: Salisbury University, Professor of finance
Education: Ph.D., Finance, Florida International University
Why are you running for the school board? For the sake of our children. I’m a fourth-generation educator; both my children attend public middle schools. I firmly believe that good education is transformative and fundamental to any economic and social development. I will support our teachers and staff in reducing the pandemic- induced achievement gap. Wicomico County graduates only 83%, below the Maryland state average. This must be improved so as to rank in the top 10 counties in the state. Skills attract and retain businesses, generate employment and create positive feedback loop of growth in an economically disadvantaged region.
What makes you a good candidate for the board? Given my diverse educational (Ph.D., M.S. Finance, M.S. Computer Science, B.S. Chemistry) and professional experience (www.linkedin.com/in/arvi1), I will provide valuable expertise in finance, academics and organizational efficiency. My skills, based on real world expertise and proven track record of getting things done by bringing various stakeholders, understanding their concerns, to provide analytical solutions. As an educator, I understand what teachers need to be successful. Providing those resources and support is critical to ensure success. I'm actively involved in PTA and as a volunteer teaching Junior Achievement programs in various public schools in the county for more than a decade.
David Plotts (District 4)
Age: 39
Employment: Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, Financial controller.
Education: Master of Science in Management with a Finance Specialization, University of Maryland University College.
Why are you running for the school board? I’m running to bring the voice of a parent fully enmeshed in the day-to-day processes of public school. Having four children enrolled in Wicomico County Public Schools, I can see aspects such as teacher retention, mental health support, parental involvement, and inclusiveness that need additional efforts to reach our goals. Having these issues at the forefront of my life right now makes my passion for progress an asset to the Board of Education.
What makes you a good candidate for the board? I am a product of Wicomico County Public Schools and am involved in the community. I’ve been the chairman of Salisbury’s Parks and Recreation Committee since 2014 and served on Salisbury’s Environmental Policy Task Force and the Wicomico County Charter Review Committee. In 2019 and 2020, I was appointed by WCBOE as the parent liaison to the Board's Parent Advisory Committee from Pinehurst Elementary. Currently, I am a nonprofit leader responsible for finances, information systems, human resources, and facilities management, allowing me to bring a wide variety of knowledge to the board. I’ve been recommended by the Wicomico Education Association and the Maryland Education Association.
Ann Brittingham Suthowski (District 4)
Age: 85
Employment: Retired educator
Education: Master’s degree from Salisbury University and 60 credits beyond that from the University of Maryland, College Park
Why are you running for the school board? I worked hard for 10 years to get an elected school board in our county. As a lifelong resident, proven community leader, and my background in education, I know that I am the best candidate for the BOE. As a retired person, I have the 35-plus hours to do the job. I do not have to ask my employer’s permission to have time off to attend meetings.
What makes you a good candidate for the board? Twice I have been cited as an outstanding woman leader in our county. I am well known through the entire county, not just the city of Salisbury. As the first woman ever elected to the Wicomico BOE, I have made my mark by speaking out at meetings, attending school functions and meetings and dinners in the community.
John Palmer (District 5)
Age: 73
Employment: Retired Navy, retired University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Education: 12, 30-credit certificate Criminal Justice, Wor-Wic Community College
Why are you running for the school board? My military experience in leadership and board knowledge now gives me the tools to make big changes needed for our students. I am able to step out front and lead for our students and won't be silenced by the woke agenda in our society.
What makes you a good candidate for the board? As a current board member, I now have the experience behind me on how to move policy along and work with state delegates and senators to rid our schools of this Marxist ideology in our school system across the United States.
This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Wicomico County Board of Education candidates 2022 Q&A: book bans, CRT
