Jess Douglass

Education Overcrowded classrooms require teachers to spend more time on classroom management than on instruction. Our highly qualified teachers and support staff can deliver the individualized and targeted instruction that our students deserve, but they need the space in which to do that work. Students in a classroom with 40 students in it are not going to get the same quality instruction that a more reasonably-sized class would expect. FCPS needs to hire more teachers. Smaller class sizes will enrich educational experiences for our students while simultaneously attracting and retaining quality educators. Wages / Job Benefits Attracting and retaining quality educators to Frederick County will require teacher salaries comparable with those of neighboring counties. Retaining quality educators requires training and support from the central office, and a sensitivity to teachers’ valuable time. Too often our educators are required to add responsibilities without any consideration for the already heavy and complex workload they carry. Infrastructure / Transportation Investing in school construction is necessary as our district grows and our building age, but it is also our opportunity to create safe, secure, and conducive environments for both students and educators throughout the county. Infrastructure / Transportation The County has done commendable work in addressing our construction needs. As the County faces increasing strain on the budget and responds to varying needs of the community, the Board of Education needs to present a united front in support of continued school construction funding.