Issues

Education

Access to quality public education is the most impactful investment we can make for our community. As Nelson Mandela wisely said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) is strong, but we must go further. Despite our county’s relative economic strength, FCPS still receives the second‑lowest per‑pupil funding in Maryland. That disparity conflicts with our values and we must act.

Council Accomplishments (2022–2025): Building for the Future

Since 2022, the Frederick County Council has demonstrated meaningful leadership in education and infrastructure:

• Sound fiscal management:
  The Council incrementally increased budgets—from approximately $792 million in FY 2023 to $894 million in FY 2024, and most recently $1.02 billion in FY 2026 while keeping property tax rates steady. This prudent governance lays the foundation for reinvestment in our education system.
• AAA Bond Ratings:
  In early 2025, the County earned top-tier AAA credit ratings from Fitch, Moody’s, and S&P—lowering borrowing costs for school construction and other capital investments.

FCPS Facility Expansions & Improvements (2024–2025)

To keep pace with growth and modern demands, FCPS has initiated and in some cases completed significant school construction projects:

• Green Valley Elementary School Replacement:
  A groundbreaking was held in April 2024 for a state-of-the-art facility replacing the 1971 original. The new building, designed for 725 students, boasts full Wi‑Fi, modern classroom monitors, a cafeteria with a stage, and multiple playgrounds. It opened for student occupancy in August 2025.
• Valley Elementary School Replacement:
  Also broken ground in April 2024, the new school built adjacent to the older building will serve 745 students and include modern amenities like Wi‑Fi, a gym-linked cafeteria, and playgrounds. It opened for the 2025–26 academic year.
• Linganore Creek Elementary:
  Design began in September 2024, with construction starting mid‑2025. Located in the Greenview area, this new school is expected to open in August 2026. It will relieve the over-crowding of Oakdale Elementary.
• FY 2026 Capital Budget Highlights:
  The $172 million budget includes funding not only for these three projects but also for a new Yellow Springs Elementary School (opening August 2026), Middletown co‑located Elementary & Middle School (completion expected 2027), and early-stage design work for a Brunswick High School replacement (opening projected 2030).

Why This Matters for Education

These tangible steps demonstrate the Council’s and my commitment to supporting educational excellence by ensuring that:

• Students learn in modern, safe, and flexible facilities, equipped for today’s technology-driven education.
• Overcrowding is addressed, which supports lower class sizes and more individualized instruction.
• Our growing student population has room to thrive, enabling further investment in teachers, special education, and instructional enrichment.

My Vision for Educational Investment

To build on this momentum, our county must:

• Increase per‑pupil funding to align with our economic capacity.
• Boost teacher and staff compensation to attract and retain exceptional educators.
• Reduce class sizes to improve student outcomes.
• Expand support for special education to ensure equitable access.
• Sustain capital investments in new schools and modernization.
• Champion Frederick Community College, enabling affordable higher education and essential workforce training.
• Champion our CTC, Career and Technology Center, modernizing and expanding capacity for programs that students need.

I will continue as a strong, accountable advocate for education because strong schools build a stronger future.

Expanding Opportunities Through Career & Technical Education

As I look ahead to my second term, expanding and modernizing the Frederick County Career and Technology Center (CTC) will be one of my top priorities.

Too many students are currently stuck on waiting lists, hoping for a chance to access programs that could set them on the path to a high-paying, high-demand career. Unfortunately, many of these programs are being delivered in outdated facilities that no longer meet the needs of today’s industries or the students preparing to enter them.

The reality is clear: college is not the first or best choice for every student. Our CTC offers an incredible opportunity for students to graduate with in-demand skills, industry certifications, and a clear pathway into the workforce, or even a head start on further education.

Whether it’s in construction trades, IT, health care, advanced manufacturing, or public safety, CTE equips students with real-world experience and confidence. Expanding access to these programs is not just about student success, it’s about strengthening our local economy, filling workforce gaps, and supporting the industries that drive Frederick County forward.

In my next term, I will work to:

• Fund and fast-track expansion of CTC programs and facilities
• Modernize existing infrastructure and equipment
• Partner with local businesses and unions to align curriculum with job market needs
• Ensure equitable access for students across all high schools

We need to build a future where every student has access to the education path that best suits their strengths, goals, and interests, whether that’s a four-year college, a two-year degree, or a career-ready credential.

The CTC is a cornerstone of that vision, and I’m committed to giving it the investment it deserves.

A more concise version:

Investing in Public Education

Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Despite Frederick County’s economic strength, FCPS still receives the second lowest per pupil funding in Maryland. This disparity must be addressed.

Council Accomplishments (2022–2025):

• Fiscal Management: Increased budgets from $792 million in FY 2023 to $1.02 billion in FY 2026 while keeping property tax rates steady.
• AAA Bond Ratings: Earned top-tier credit ratings, lowering borrowing costs for school construction.

FCPS Facility Expansions & Improvements (2024–2025):

• Green Valley Elementary: New facility for 725 students, opened August 2025.
• Valley Elementary: New school for 745 students, opened for the 2025–26 academic year.
• Linganore Creek Elementary:Construction started mid-2025, opening August 2026.
• FY 2026 Capital Budget: $172 million for new and modernized schools.

Why This Matters:

• Modern, safe, and flexible facilities.
• Addressing overcrowding for lower class sizes.
• Room for growing student population.

Vision for Educational Investment:

• Increase per pupil funding.
• Boost teacher and staff compensation.
• Reduce class sizes.
• Expand support for special education.
• Sustain capital investments.
• Champion Frederick Community College and Career and Technology Center (CTC).

Expanding Career & Technical Education:

• Fund and expand CTC programs and facilities.
• Modernize infrastructure and equipment.
• Partner with local businesses and unions.
• Ensure equitable access for all students.

Strong schools build a stronger future. I am committed to advocating for education and investing in our community’s future.

Public Safety

Having a safe community to live and work in is part of why people love Frederick County. I am very committed to supporting our Sheriff’s Department, Detention center, Division of Fire and Rescue Services, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services, Emergency Management and Animal Control. All these divisions are critical to a safe and vibrant Frederick County. Having been active in the Frederick Community for over 40 years, I have built relationships in law enforcement and in the fire services community that help me understand their needs and how they best serve our community. Frederick County also has many municipalities that also provide these services and the county must work with them to coordinate services. Quality of life includes being safe!

Growth

I hear loud and clear from many that Frederick County has grown and that we haven’t kept up with all the needs of that growth. We are facing many over-crowded schools, congested roads, and pressure on our public safety professionals. Growth is inevitable but controlling growth and placing an emphasis on the infrastructure needed to accommodate that growth is necessary. I am a life-long resident of the county and I have enjoyed the expanded opportunities and the increased diversity that growth has brought. Frederick County is an exciting place to live, and I want to make sure that we do not over develop our county and lose the charm that we have. We need to look at more opportunities for development that will allow for new employers and that will provide the space needed for businesses to locate to support the needs of our county.

Seniors and Retirees

Frederick County is a great place to live work and raise a family. We need to make sure that when people retire that they can continue to afford to live here, and that they have the services that they need. Property values have escalated tremendously over the past several years. We need to make sure that seniors and retirees are taking advantage of the homestead property exemption and those that qualify know about the property tax credit. We cannot let retirees get taxed out of their homes. Frederick County does a good job providing services to seniors through the senior center and the Parks and recreation department. We need to continue to expand opportunities for seniors to keep them here in Frederick County. This is one of the fastest growing populations in the county and we need them to stay here!