{"database": "schoolboard", "table": "candidates", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where County = \"Allegany County\" sorted by rowid", "rows": [[1, "Allegany County", "Crystal M. Bender", "n", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""], [2, "Allegany County", "Tammy Fraley", "y", "null", "facebook.com/citizensfortammyfraley", "tammyfraleyboe@gmail.com", "52", "cBEYONData, LLC. - Senior Systems Integration Specialist.", "Bachelor of business administration, accounting, Texas A&M of Commerce 1993 (formerly East Texas State University)", "

I initially ran for the board as I wanted to be a part of making the educational system in Allegany County strong and impact the growing need to increase workforce development to keep the younger generation in our county upon graduation. Having served for almost eight years, I have found that my passion remains the same with only a slight variation. I want to help provide a well-rounded education and social upbringing of our youngest citizens so that they can be proud of where they came from and strive to give back to their community.", "

I have served as a local school board member in Allegany County for the past eight years. During this timeframe, I also served as a member of the Maryland Association of Boards of Education, including as board president. I started my path in local boards because of the lack of parental input in my own children's education. I was frustrated with the lack of synergy across the state on the availability of resources. \n

Now with the Blueprint for Maryland's future coming to fruition, the opportunity is ripe for ALL to be part of the process that can change education across our entire county. \n

I have served in family engagement groups at my student's elementary and middle schools. I also serve within several local organizations, including the Salvation Army Advisory Board, LaVale Athletic Association, and was most recently appointed to the Allegany County Citizens Review Board for Children by Gov. Wes Moore. \n

I believe I am the best candidate for our area because of my willingness to engage at all levels. I believe there needs to be a voice for the parents of current students as well as future students. There also needs to be a voice of those \"in the trenches\" to include local business owners, community members, advocates for change, etc.", "

In my opinion, the most important issue facing Allegany County school board is the employee morale and student/employee mental health support. There is a wealth of opportunity being provided at the state level to include grant funding and cooperation for the national center for student mental health that must be utilized by our county. We need to not feed into the stigma that if you ignore the issue, it will not exist. \n

I plan to continue to push for inclusion of the student voice in decisions as well as utilization of programs and practices outside of our current system. We must not assume that it will \"correct itself.\"", "

I truly admire Adrienne A. Jones as the first woman to serve as the speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates. As I have delved further into the political world in Allegany County, I found that very few strong woman leaders emerged. When I started to attend conferences I found that a strong leader does not depend on their gender but on their ability to gather people to make a difference. Ms. Jones inspires me to keep pushing forward and not allow the nay-sayers to hold me back.\n", "

The Blueprint initiative to hire additional educators across the state to provide more individualized attention to students sounds great in theory, but the practicality of it is that there is a VERY limited pool of educators within the state of Maryland. In Allegany County, we struggle to have educators apply for positions due to the climate of employee morale along with the limited flexibility to adjust to various teaching styles. As a board member, I will continue to advocate for the educators to have a seat at the table with board members to ensure all concerns are voiced and addressed where possible. \n

I personally would like to see a stronger focus on the recruitment of support personnel to provide more to our students. The utilization of coordinated community supports will be critical to the success of our educational system in Allegany County.", "

I personally believe that student use of cellphones during the school day should be restricted, as it is only a distraction for the students. They utilize the phone for cheating in class. Also, I have seen several problems in school start with a post on social media or through bullying a student while it is filmed by another. As a school board member I would seek input from educators as to what they feel works best in a majority of situations, as they are the ones on the battlefield.", "

School safety within our county not only involves the physical aspects of the buildings but also the community surrounding them. I believe we must continue to pursue memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with local law enforcement agencies to have dedicated law enforcement officers assigned to specific schools. Additionally, there needs to be some coordinated support provided across all prevailing needs of not only the student body but that of the staff and administration.", "

My position is that there should not be the absolute banning of books; however, there should be a policy on the age-appropriateness. There should always be alternatives for students whose parents/guardians request an opt-out of certain books. Our nation was built on the freedoms afforded to us, and therefore the public education system must provide opportunities for all voices to be heard.\n", "I believe that a students' parents/guardians should be part of any decision made regarding their student. The school system is there to support general education of students and to prepare them for the outside world. There should be no policies in place that take away the parents/guardians right to be part of the process."], [3, "Allegany County", "Max Green", "y", "null", "facebook.com/MaxGreenforAlleganyCountyBoardofEducation", " magreen.01@gmail.com", "33", "Senior technology representative, U.S. Senate sergeant at arms.", "Master's degree in public management, Johns Hopkins University.", "

I am running for the Allegany County Board of Education because I believe in the power of public education to transform lives, and I want to ensure that every student in our county has access to the best possible education. As a parent and the husband of a public-school teacher, I have a personal stake in the future of our schools. I\u2019ve seen firsthand the challenges facing our educators, from classroom management issues to a lack of support for students who need it most.\n

I\u2019m committed to addressing these challenges by advocating for clear, consistent discipline policies, improving parent and community engagement, and fostering transparency and accountability in school board decisions. My professional experience in public management and my role as a community leader have given me the skills to approach these issues with a solutions-focused mindset.\n

I\u2019m running because I believe we need new voices and fresh ideas on the Board of Education\u2014voices that will prioritize students, listen to teachers, and work tirelessly to improve our schools.\n

I'm also running because I know how frustrated parents and teachers are with the current Board of Education. Our current elected board is not prepared for the realities of Blueprint implementation. I'm running because I want to ensure that we have the right person for the job who can make sound, transparent decisions about this implementation based on feedback from all stakeholders. \n

Finally, my experience growing up in rural Allegany County is similar to many others. I was primarily raised by my grandmother, who worked full time until her death to provide for my siblings and me. I had to get a job at the age of 14, which I had to balance with school and extracurricular activities, to help make ends meet. We did not have much, and I felt like I would never make it out of the cycle of generational poverty. My saving grace was teachers and community members who stepped up to help me navigate the transition out of school\u2014helping me to apply for student aid and to college as a first-generation college student. I owe so much to them, and one of the most effective ways to pay it forward is by looking out for the next generation of our community. ", "

I am running for the Allegany County Board of Education as a lifelong community organizer, a dedicated public servant, and an advocate for students, teachers and families. I bring over a decade in public sector project management and leadership experience, an understanding of the complex issues facing students and families as a former community mental health services provider and a deep passion for making the world a better place. My master\u2019s degree in public management and data analytics from Johns Hopkins University has prepared me to approach educational challenges with a focus on data-driven solutions and accountability.\n

As the husband of a public-school teacher and the father of two young children, I understand the importance of ensuring that every child has access to a high-quality education in a safe, supportive environment. I have firsthand experience advocating for our community, having founded the West Side Neighborhood Association and serving on the Local Advisory Council for Career and Technical Education.\n

My platform centers on three core priorities: improving classroom management and discipline policies, increasing parent and community engagement, and ensuring transparency and accountability in decision-making. I will work to strengthen our schools by fostering meaningful discourse, creating clear policies that support teachers and students, and ensuring that the board remains accessible and responsive to the needs of the community.\n

With my diverse experience and strong commitment to public service, I am ready to bring a fresh perspective and a focus on solutions to the Board of Education. Together, we can build stronger schools and a brighter future for all students.", "While I am tempted to argue that the Blueprint for Maryland's Future is the most important long-term issue, there is a crisis in discipline and classroom management that is making it difficult to achieve the primary mission of our school system: ensuring all students' right to a high-quality education in a safe and productive learning environment. It also undermines efforts to recruit and retain high-quality educators. ", "I have always admired Franklin Delano Roosevelt for leading our nation through one of its most challenging periods since the Civil War. Domestically, he tackled the Great Depression with the New Deal \u2014 arguably one of the most influential policy sets in American history. The New Deal provided a social safety net, labor protections and critical banking regulations, while also enabling rural electrification and building infrastructure that shaped modern America. Beyond his domestic achievements, Roosevelt played a pivotal role in guiding the U.S. through the global crisis of World War II. He ended isolationism, supported the Allies, and mobilized the U.S. war effort after Pearl Harbor. His leadership, along with his advisors and the sacrifices of American servicemembers, made victory possible. Roosevelt\u2019s vision and resilience continue to inspire me as a model of leadership in the face of unprecedented challenges and remind me that we've weathered greater existential threats to our nation, democracy, and justice.", "

The Blueprint for Maryland\u2019s Future is a transformative plan for public education, addressing critical needs such as early childhood education, increased teacher pay and expanded support for underserved families. For Allegany County, this initiative is a much-needed boost, as it provides the resources to address long-standing challenges, particularly in schools serving low-income, rural families. However, for the Blueprint to succeed, the focus must be on how these funds are used at the local level.\n

Increased teacher pay and support services are crucial for attracting and retaining quality educators, but we must ensure that this funding reaches classrooms and benefits teachers directly. Professional development, classroom management tools, and support staff should be prioritized to create a more stable learning environment. Additionally, the Blueprint's focus on career and technical education offers significant potential for Allegany County, especially in preparing students for jobs in skilled trades.\n

Effective implementation of the Blueprint requires strong community engagement. Parents, teachers, and local leaders must be involved in decisions about how resources are allocated and used. If elected, I will advocate for transparency and accountability to ensure that these historic investments lead to real, measurable improvements for students and educators. My goal is to ensure that Allegany County not only benefits from the increased funding but also builds sustainable, long-term improvements to the quality of education and opportunities for all students. I also believe that this requires transparent and thoughtful consideration of the implementation plan, ensuring we do not misrepresent the areas of need in our community and school system. \n

This is a pivotal moment for Maryland\u2019s schools, and we must get it right.", "Cellphone policies remain one of the most difficult areas for school systems to address. While there\u2019s some agreement among students, parents, teachers, and administrators, key issues\u2014like maintaining communication during emergencies\u2014continue to create divides. Our current policy, which leaves phone use up to teacher discretion, is inconsistent and places too much burden on teachers without adequate support from school leadership or the Board of Education. I believe phones should be allowed during lunch, study hall and advisory periods for older students, but not in classrooms, bathrooms or locker rooms. However, enforcement is nearly impossible under current practices. We need a clear, districtwide policy, backed by data and modeled after successful approaches in other areas. This policy should prioritize minimizing disruptions, bullying and harassment while balancing the need for safety and acknowledging the realities of our highly-connected world. Continuous review and adjustment will be necessary as we gather feedback.", "No, I am not satisfied with our school district\u2019s efforts to ensure student safety. I believe the system is failing our students, and I fear more serious acts of violence will occur if changes aren\u2019t made. We currently lack metal detectors, and teachers and administrators are often discouraged \u2014 or outright unable \u2014 to refer students for disciplinary actions. Discipline and safety concerns are inconsistently handled, creating a dangerous environment. I've spoken with many teachers and parents who have reported incidents of weapons, like knives, being brought to school, yet the students responsible often face no real consequences or referrals. We must reevaluate discipline policies, encourage teachers to report all incidents of violence or threats, and ensure public input to improve safety measures. Additionally, online bullying continues unchecked, and schools need better ways to address these issues. Our focus must be on creating consistent, transparent policies to protect every student.", "Books should not be banned or removed from school libraries. Instead, if there are concerns about a lack of diverse perspectives, I encourage adding more books, not restricting access. Exposure to a wide range of ideas is crucial for developing critical thinking, emotional intelligence,\\ and the skills necessary for a healthy democracy. Limiting access to books or discouraging literacy harms students. Research consistently shows that access to books directly correlates with higher reading scores, and for many children\u2014especially those from low-income families\u2014school libraries are their primary source of reading materials. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 61% of low-income families have no books in the home, making school libraries essential. Our children need more books, more ideas and more opportunities to read\u2014not fewer.", "No law restricts parents from discussing gender identity or preferred pronouns with their children. It's unreasonable to expect teachers to monitor such private conversations, and it is not their role to inform parents about a student\u2019s pronoun preferences unless legally required. Every student deserves to feel safe and supported in school, regardless of their identity. Using preferred pronouns fosters an inclusive environment and allows students to feel accepted. Importantly, this practice causes no harm to others\u2014it simply reflects respect for the individual. Schools should prioritize creating an environment where all students feel valued, ensuring their personal choices are respected as long as they do not negatively impact others. In the absence of court rulings or specific legislation, it\u2019s essential to protect the privacy and dignity of all students while maintaining the focus on their well-being and education."], [4, "Allegany County", "Gerry LaFemina", "y", "www.gerrylafemina.com", "facebook.com/gerrylafemina", "gerrylafemina@gmail.com", "56", "Professor of English, Frostburg State University.\n", "Master of fine arts, creative writing, Western Michigan University.\n\n", "For years I've noticed the preparedness of our incoming students declining, and I wanted to ensure that schools better prepared their students for college or the real world, a world with greater diversity and opportunity than we might find currently in Allegany County. More importantly, we need to understand that schools have a greater role in the community and in student lives than just education\u2014from ensuring that students are fed so they can perform, to working to support their emotional and psychological well-being, schools are doing more than ever to take care of our children. More importantly, the current climate in public education begs for an objective and educated board to help guide the district through stormy weather. As a lifelong learner, and as someone who has worked with students from ages 6 to 66, I believe that my experience and my clear vision give me the capacity to help our students and our schools.", "School board candidates should, first and foremost, value education with a focus on the broad needs of the students, and unfortunately, many people run for school board with an agenda regarding their children. A school board member needs to advocate for the role of the schools in the community\u2014and value all the players in the schools, from students and teachers to coaches, support staff and administrators. A good candidate understands that each school in the district has a culture, and the board's job is to help sustain and engage that culture, while also helping shape it toward the broader community culture and maintaining educational standards. As a very public member of the community, I will be an advocate for our teachers, our students, and our schools.", "Cellphones in the classroom and the impact of social media on our students is the biggest problem we have. Besides being a distraction, the dopamine hit of responding to notifications can have an addictive effect on our students. This can lead to educational and disciplinary issues. Then there's the issue of cyberbullying and other technology-related problems that can go with the use of phones.", "Jimmy Carter. His work as both a political leader and as a social leader with Habitat for Humanity demonstrate his willingness to serve for the greater good.", "

The Blueprint for Maryland's Future is a great start to help promote faculty creativity and lessen the significance of standardized tests, which often only measure short-term retention and a student's capacity to take tests. Furthermore, moves to bring in more teachers, lower class sizes and help create more robust learning environments for students are all laudable.\nFurthermore, although some might see the Blueprint as an unfunded mandate or meddling from Annapolis elites, the Blueprint provides a clear vision for Maryland students as a group. We live in a rapidly changing world, and the Blueprint provides a shared vision to help make sure our students are prepared for the world they'll enter.\n

The failures of the Blueprint have to do with funding, particularly in a region like Allegany County, which is one of the poorest counties in the state. The school board will have to navigate the budget and community concerns. Having a board that advocates for the Blueprint is key. More importantly, though, the Board has to recognize that the Blueprint will need to adapt to on-the-ground changes.", "I think cellphone usage is one of the biggest problems facing our students, and while they provide a means to protect students in case something goes wrong in the school, more often than not, cellphones work as an in-class distraction, provide a means for bullying students and others, and provide a means for academic dishonesty.", "In general I think Allegany schools are fairly safe. I loathe the idea of making our schools seem like they're under attack because that provides an atmosphere ripe for distraction. I also worry about the use of police in the schools, which can often lead to escalation of problems rather than mediated solutions. One of the most valuable things schools can teach us is how to interact with others with mutual respect and dignity. This includes interaction among the student body but also between students and faculty, staff and administration.", "

I don't believe in censorship or book banning. I know this as a literature teacher, most of our students aren't randomly checking books out of school or classroom libraries, which means that the books students choose to read provide validation or respect.\n

Books teach us how to live in a diverse society. They teach us how to survive heartache, loss and cruelty. They teach us empathy. They teach us how to talk to one another, and the consequences of our actions. Yes, books can make us sad. Yes, books can teach kids about the cruelties of the world. They can cover subjects that might make certain parents uncomfortable, but that's where fostering a dialogue between parents and children comes in. There are books, no doubt, my mother wishes I hadn't read at age 15, but I can guarantee you, I'm glad I did because they prepared me for the world I entered.", "Kids have it hard enough. Kids who feel body dysmorphia and have questions about their identity and sex have it so much harder. It's a fact. I've watched several of my college students struggle. A teacher's goal should always be to provide ways for students to succeed, and one way to do that is to remove whatever small sources of pain they might feel. If referring to a student by a different pronoun makes them feel seen, supported, and respected, and if that then enables them to work well, why wouldn't a teacher\u2014or anyone\u2014want to do that?"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 4, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["rowid", "County", "Name", "Answered", "Website", "Facebook", "Email", "Age", "Employment", "Education", "Q1 why", "Q2 good candidate", "Q3 important issue", "Q4 public leader", "Q5 blueprint", "Q6 cellphone", "Q7 safety", "Q8 books", "Q9 trans"], "primary_keys": [], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select rowid, County, Name, Answered, Website, Facebook, Email, Age, Employment, Education, [Q1 why], [Q2 good candidate], [Q3 important issue], [Q4 public leader], [Q5 blueprint], [Q6 cellphone], [Q7 safety], [Q8 books], [Q9 trans] from candidates where \"County\" = :p0 order by rowid limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Allegany County"}}, "facet_results": {}, "suggested_facets": [{"name": "Answered", "toggle_url": "https://schoolboard-tvt5vsz5vq-ue.a.run.app/schoolboard/candidates.json?_sort=rowid&County__exact=Allegany+County&_facet=Answered"}, {"name": "Website", "toggle_url": "https://schoolboard-tvt5vsz5vq-ue.a.run.app/schoolboard/candidates.json?_sort=rowid&County__exact=Allegany+County&_facet=Website"}], "next": null, "next_url": null, "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 19.086323999999877}