Julie Kaplan
Running for school board in Howard County District 4
How old will you be on Election Day (Nov. 5)?
52
Are you currently employed? If so, where, and what is your job title?
Senior vice president of marketing and revenue operations.
What is the highest level of education that you completed, and where did you get that degree?
Master's of business administration, University of Maryland.
Why are you running for the school board?
With over 25 years immersed in Howard County, as a resident and parent of Howard County Public School System graduates, I deeply understand our community's challenges and aspirations. My expertise in marketing and revenue operations means I have experience in strategic allocation of resources, prioritization and fiscal responsibility. I want to help the Howard County Public School System refocus on fundamental skills like literacy, numeracy and civics, ensuring every student receives the world-class education they deserve.
What makes you a good candidate for the board?
The Howard County Public School System is ready for a transformation, requiring leadership that prioritizes objectivity, practicality and fiscal responsibility. Professionally, I'm the leader companies call upon when they are ready to level up — that is what District 4 families seek to navigate the future successfully. My approach is nonpartisan; I believe in making decisions based on what's best for our children and our community. As an independent candidate, I am not beholden to any political party or hidden agenda. My sole commitment is to the well-being and education of our children. This independence allows me to make unbiased decisions that truly reflect the best interests of Howard County students, teachers, and the community at large.
What is the most important issue facing your school board and what would you do about it if elected?
The most pressing issue facing our school board is ensuring that every student receives a quality education that prepares them for college or career. We must address the learning gaps created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
If elected, I would prioritize policies that directly support academic success. This includes:
Returning to evidence-based teaching methods like the Science of Learning.
Reducing the administrative burden on teachers allowing them to focus more on instruction.
Sustainably lowering the student-to-teacher ratio, enabling more personalized learning and helping to close achievement gaps.
My goal is to create an educational environment where all students can thrive.
Please name a public leader you admire and explain why.
I admire Mitch Daniels, former president of Purdue University. Under his leadership, tuition was frozen from 2013 and remained in effect even after he left in 2022, making higher education more affordable for countless students, including my sons, who started at Purdue during his tenure. During his time at Purdue, the university experienced significant growth, with a strong focus on public-private partnerships that enhanced resources and ensured students graduated with skills that made them highly employable. He also led the creation of Purdue Global, an online platform expanding access to education for working adults and non-traditional students, showcasing his innovative approach. As a parent of children from an underrepresented group at Purdue, I appreciated how Daniels fostered an inclusive environment where my children felt safe and supported. His leadership balanced growth, affordability, innovation and inclusion.
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.
As a candidate for the Board of Education in Howard County, I recognize the necessity of aligning our district’s practices with the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. The Blueprint’s objectives, including increased funding for early childhood education, higher teacher starting pay, college and career readiness standard, and expanded services for multilingual and impoverished families, present both opportunities and challenges for our district.
Achieving the mandated $60,000 minimum starting salary for teachers by 2026 requires careful planning and resource allocation. I am committed to ensuring that, while we meet this mandate, we also address the need for fair compensation for veteran educators. By studying successful models from across the country, I aim to implement retention strategies that are tailored to the specific needs of Howard County. This will involve reallocating resources within our budget, collaborating with stakeholders and exploring innovative solutions to attract and retain top talent.
To create an environment where educators feel valued, it is crucial to provide fair pay scales, safe and well-resourced workplaces, and a culture that is free from physical violence, harassment and retribution. Additionally, I believe in developing “grow your own” programs that support both current employees and students, aligning with their needs and fostering long-term commitment to our schools.
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future sets a framework that we must navigate carefully to ensure that it benefits all students in Howard County while maintaining the strengths of our existing education system.
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?
I appreciate the process our district is taking in evaluating student cellphone use in schools. I support the superintendent's approach, which involves thoroughly reviewing existing research and evidence, engaging stakeholders and potentially piloting a program that makes the most sense for our community. This methodical and inclusive process ensures that any policy we implement is well-informed, balances the benefits and challenges of cellphone use, and is tailored to the specific needs of our students, teachers and families. By taking the time to evaluate and test the best options, we can develop a policy that truly enhances the learning environment while addressing the concerns of our community.
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?
While I have heard anecdotal concerns about safety from both educators and students, I recognize the need for objective data to fully understand the scope of the issues. I believe a thorough analysis is essential to accurately assess the current state of school safety and identify areas for improvement. By gathering comprehensive data and engaging with all stakeholders, we can develop targeted strategies to enhance the safety and well-being of our students and staff. I am committed to supporting efforts that will create a secure and positive learning environment where everyone feels safe.
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 believe that decisions about which books belong in school libraries should primarily be made by educators and librarians, who are trained professionals with the expertise to evaluate educational materials. They understand the developmental needs of students and can assess the appropriateness of content based on educational value, age suitability and community standards.
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?
I support the current policy that allows students to be addressed by a name and pronoun that corresponds to their gender identity. As outlined in the Howard County Public School System Student Names Guidance, students have the right to choose their name and pronoun without requiring parent consent.
