Montgomery County has offered some of the best schools in the nation for many years. Yet we can – and must – do better. We need to address the fact that many of our children attend schools that are overcrowded and lacking resources.
Investing in our schools
We need to increase the capital improvements budget to pay for new school construction while also modernizing existing schools. We also need to work with our state legislators to bring more school funding back to Montgomery County so that we can build more schools that include environmentally friendly designs and lessen dependence on portable classrooms.
Montgomery College is a vital education institution for our county. We need to ensure that Montgomery College receives the resources it needs to provide quality higher education at affordable costs.
Infrastructure investments need to be coupled with continuous professional development for teachers so we can attract and retain the best teachers.
Closing the achievement gap
Closing the achievement gap is a core social justice issue. The gap is clearly rooted in socioeconomic differences between Montgomery County’s diverse communities. This is why I support raising the minimum wage and expanding social services that protect children outside the classroom.
Pre-K and After School Programming
Building new schools is only part of the solution to creating a better environment for learning. Research shows that educational gaps are more difficult and costly to close as children grow older. That is why any approach to closing the achievement gap must include early childhood education in addition to after-school programming. High quality pre-kindergarten programs are proven strategies that promote school readiness while easing financial burdens on parents.