Michael "Mike" Lukas
Running for school board in Charles County
How old will you be on Election Day (Nov. 5)?
62
Are you currently employed? If so, where, and what is your job title?
Retired in 2021 after 38 years working for the Navy as an engineer and branch head.
What is the highest level of education that you completed, and where did you get that degree?
Bachelor’s of science degree in electrical engineering, University of Maryland, College Park. Graduate studies at Naval Postgraduate School and George Mason University.
Why are you running for the school board?
Opportunity. That's the answer I have given throughout my tenure as a board member. Providing every child, regardless of socio/economic background, the opportunity to succeed after graduating from Charles County Public Schools. I came from a childhood where I didn’t have a lot of resources or opportunity, and I’m keenly aware of the struggles many families have. Public education is the great equalizer, and I want to ensure that students and parents that commit to Charles County Public Schools are offered equitable opportunities so they can succeed. I represent all stakeholders in the system (teachers, parents, students, taxpayers) and hold myself accountable to them by maintaining high academic standards and fiscal accountability. I marched, lobbied and testified for the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, which is a transformational tool that will provide additional resources for students and families. I have fostered programs to help students achieve college credit and certifications in high demand areas. This will greatly reduce the financial burden on families and allow graduates to attend college locally and work and live in our county. My desire is that students can graduate from Charles County Public Schools and enter college or the workforce locally and grow roots to strengthen our community.
What makes you a good candidate for the board?
As a current board member, I have the experience and leadership that is vital, given the current level of experience on the board. No other candidate understands Maryland school policy and legislation better than myself. I currently serve on the Board of Directors for the Maryland Association of Boards of Education, which advocates for the autonomy of local school boards. I have devoted thousands of hours to help our school system working closely with community leaders. I retired after 38 years working for the Navy as an engineer and branch head. I comprehend large budgets, think analytically and can align processes with goals. I pride myself on working with other people and as a branch head received the Command Diversity Award for my efforts in hiring. My wife is an educator (Charles County Public Schools and College of Southern Maryland) and our son is a Charles County Public Schools graduate. I am involved in numerous community organizations and desire to incorporate these nonprofits to help our school system continue to move in a positive direction. I have lived my entire life in the DMV, the past 30 years in Charles County, so I know the culture and the values of the people I represent.
What is the most important issue facing your school board and what would you do about it if elected?
The most important issue is student achievement, which was greatly affected by COVID. No board can guarantee achievement, but a board must establish the framework for student success.
The elected board is responsible for three primary items: Formulating and delivering a budget, choosing a superintendent and developing policy. These facets are connected and form the framework for success.
Obtaining necessary resources (via the budget) to educate children is our immediate issue. Our most recent budget was underfunded by $17 million! The percentage of the budget the school system receives relative to the total county budget has DECREASED steadily over the past five years. This is unacceptable. I will continue to make our commissioners (our local funding source) aware of what is not occurring due to a lack of funding. Parents want us to do more, but we are limited because of resources.
A superintendent must share the vision of the board and set high standards for student achievement. I will vote for a superintendent who prioritizes student success and achievement consistent with the priorities of the board.
Policy must be equitable to ensure resources reach the students who need it most. I will ensure that policies direct resources to our most vulnerable students to increase their prospect for success.
I have strongly advocated for academic and social/emotional resources and programs and will continue to do so. Parental and community involvement is critical and I helped to establish a program that recognizes our volunteers across the county.
Please name a public leader you admire and explain why.
Steve Jobs. As an engineer, I admire his tenacity and desire to make the world a better place. He left us too soon. Oprah Winfrey. Her work ethic and philanthropic endeavors speak for themselves. She came from a less-than-ideal childhood and captured the American dream.
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, passed by the General Assembly in 2021, is a 10-year plan that includes increased education funding to support early childhood education, increased teacher starting pay, college/career-readiness standards for high school graduates, and expanded services to multilingual and impoverished families, among other goals. Please tell us your views on the Blueprint and how it will affect your school district.
Though not perfect, I support the Blueprint. Your ZIP code or household income should not define the quality of your education. The Blueprint has a dramatic impact on the services provided to Charles County Public Schools students.
Pre-kindergarten, including 3-year-old programs, will be available to more children. Quality pre-kindergarten is a game-changer for many parents and will prepare students for kindergarten and lay the foundation for a brighter future.
Increasing teacher pay and the additional stipends will help attract the best and motivated educators. It’s no secret that teacher pay lags behind many other professions that require a college degree. There is a teacher shortage across the country, and this will help with recruitment and retainment.
The Blueprint provides for expanded Career and Technology Education programs which will provide certifications enabling high school graduates to enter the workforce at a higher salary.
Students in concentrated areas of poverty will be part of a Community School, which has a dedicated director to provide additional wrap-around services to students. English language learners will also receive additional resources to increase their proficiency.
There are three categories of students (here and across the country) that have historically been underserved and hence have not experienced the academic success of their peers. These are children in poverty, English language learners and special education students. Charles County Public Schools has experienced a significant increase in all of these students in the past 10 years. The Blueprint addresses this, but it will take time and funding to achieve meaningful results.
Some school districts nationwide are placing new limits on the use of cellphones in middle and high schools. What do you think should be the policy on student use of cellphones in your district, and why do you support that policy?
There is no reason for students to be using their phones during class. I support this and current Charles County Public Schools policy reflects this. In middle school, phones cannot be used at all during the school day and must be turned off. In high school, they are allowed at lunch and certain activity times but must remain off at all other times. No photos or videos are ever allowed during school. Cellphone use is a huge disruption and interferes with teaching. The policy allows a student to have a phone (for emergencies or after school use), but again it cannot be on during class. Every student is provided a laptop and internet access so a phone is not necessary in order to access the internet or to do work. Administrators need to enforce this policy to minimize disruptions during class.
Are you satisfied with your school district's efforts to ensure the safety of its students? What, if anything, should be done to improve school safety in your district?
Yes, but we need to remain proactive. Charles County Public Schools have made significant investments in school safety and security. Camera and guided vestibules guide visitors through the front office, and visitors need to show identification. There is a director of school safety and security who has implemented systems and protocols to protect students and staff from people who do not belong in the school. The majority of incidents between students stem from activity outside of school. School resource officers monitor social media to intervene before serious actions occur. There is a “see something, say something” program that alerts school officials. Additional training for teachers and staff is given to identify and de-escalate situations between students. Youth Engagement Advocates have been established to work with students who are not receiving appropriate support outside of school. Community members are encouraged to contact the school with any information they feel can be helpful.
Do you think there are circumstances when books should be removed from school libraries? If so, what kind of books should be removed, and who should make those decisions?
I am not the “thought police.” Recent Maryland law speaks to school library books, and as an elected official, I uphold the law. Books must meet standards for school libraries as defined in the Code of Maryland Regulations. It also requires each school system to develop policy and procedures to review objections to materials in a school library media program. The board does not and should not review every library book prior to its placement but can review objections in accordance with the law. New textbooks (new textbooks are approved by the board) are submitted by the superintendent through a selection committee comprised of Charles County Public Schools staff, parents and/or students. The public is always given an opportunity to review and comment on new textbooks before the board votes. I encourage and support parental input.
Some school districts enact policies allowing transgender and gender nonconforming students to use their preferred pronouns while at the same time not informing those students' parents about that decision. What is your opinion of such policies?
Parents need to be informed on everything their child does, and this is no exception.
