Kathryn Worland

I’m running for the Montgomery Board of Education because I’m a proud advocate for education and for our schools, and I believe that investing in education for our students leads to continued success for those students and for the community as a whole. Education has been a lifelong passion of mine, and my experience in numerous volunteer organizations, in and around our schools, has given me a unique perspective as both a parent and someone with extensive “boots on the ground” involvement. I am intimately familiar with the relentless time and energy it takes to deliver a great education for kids. As a board member, I would bring my passion and my experience to prioritize the educational experience of each student by supporting our great educators and maintaining an open, constructive dialogue with our parents and our community.

My number one priority for my term on the Board of Education will be more impactful, transparent communication with families and the community. Our Board of Education has made improved communication a district goal, but unfortunately, we continue to fall short. Families don't feel like their voices are being heard, or that they even have an effective way to communicate their concerns with the board. The public comment section at board meetings feels ineffectual, and lackluster attendance at those meetings is representative of that disconnect. Emails to the board are acknowledged but never addressed, and until the meeting agenda is published, there is no confirmation of the email's receipt. There needs to be better opportunities for engagement with the community and communications from Board Members. Single-issue forums would go a long way for parents to feel like board decisions are a collaborative process, and judicial style opinions after particularly consequential votes would establish a rapport with the stakeholders the elected Board Members represent.

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