Campaign email: abbrown9@verizon.net.
Age: 76
Employment: Retired educator
Education: Master’s degree from Salisbury University in administration supervision
Why are you running for the school board?
I am a product of the Wicomico County school system and have been fortunate to have had a 40-year career in the county, retiring as assistant superintendent of student services. I have served on the Board of Education for five years. I know the role and responsibilities of the Board of Education member. I have seen the growth and progress that has occurred and hope to be a part of the continued success of the county school system.
What makes you a good candidate for the board?
I have worked for the school system for 40-plus years and have served as a board member for five years. I know the role of a board member, the school administration and the school staff and the part that the parents and community play for a successful school system.
Please name a public leader you admire and explain why.
Jake Day is a public leader whom I admire. He is a product of the Wicomico County Public School System, and, as the current mayor of Salisbury, he is an energetic, enthusiastic, visionary individual. With his leadership, the city of Salisbury is moving forward.
What is the most important issue facing your school board, and what would you do about it if elected?
Currently, there are two most important issues facing our schools today. They are school safety and maintaining and recruiting a highly skilled workforce. I will continue to work toward advocating for the necessary funding to improve these two areas.
How concerned are you about school safety, and what if anything should be done to improve it?
I am very concerned about school safety. I will continue to seek to acquire monitoring equipment throughout all of our schools at their entrance and exits. Also, I will continue to support training for students and staff for emergency situations, which would include such practices as fire drills, intruders in the building and other community threats.
Do you have any concerns about the way history is taught in your district’s schools, and if so, what are they?
Yes, I have concerns about the way history is taught in our district’s schools. I would like to see a revision of our history textbooks to be more reflective of historical events and more inclusive of all persons involved.
Do you think there are circumstances when books should be removed from school libraries, and if so, what kind of books should be removed?
Yes, I think there are circumstances when books should be removed from school libraries. Any books that do not follow our county guidelines and requirements for the Blueprint for Maryland Schools should be removed.
