Campaign email: alvarezboe@gmail.com
Website: https://distrfschools.com/
Age: 56
Employment: Retired engineer/data scientist
Education: BSEE from Widener University, Master of Arts (MA) from Liberty University
Why are you running for the school board?
I am running for school board because I believe in public education. I know education opens doors to opportunities that would not be available otherwise. Our education is on the decline, proficiency is down, teachers do not stay in the career, and children’s mental health is suffering. HCPS needs a strong analytical team that has the tenacity to correct the course. I am a mother of two adult boys and a grandmother of two inquisitive toddlers. I want to make sure they get an education that is rich with academic challenge that gives them a path to a vocation. This will secure their future and makes a positive contribution to our country.
What makes you a good candidate for the board?
I am a good candidate because I know how to work collaboratively, identify the variables, solve complex problems, ask good questions, and have integrity that can be trusted. I have 32 year’s career experience as an engineer in testing and evaluation for the Army. I was assigned the number one program in the Army to lead the analysis effort, we were successful. Also, I have worked with young mothers in need of life skills to overcome the challenges of parenting. I taught a course in the Harford Detention System entitled “Becoming a Responsible Mother.” This evolved into a non-profit, Powerful Parenting, offered to parents who desire better skills and want to network with other parents.
Please name a public leader you admire and explain why.
Gov. Ron Desantis, because he stood up to Disney for their “woke” practices. Disney has always provided a world of fantasy and creativity that appeals to children. As such they should be responsible to create an environment free from sexualization. Instead, Disney encouraged free expression to their design team who admitted, intentionally adding inappropriate sexual content. This content was being made available to our youth at all age levels, to include toddlers. Standing up to Disney showed integrity, that he cares about future generations, and he is not in politics for the money. So many politicians go along with big business despite the effect it is having on our country.
What is the most important issue facing your school board, and what would you do about it if elected?
Most important issue is teacher retention. Dr. William Kirwan’s proposal (in the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future) is to increase salaries to attract higher quality teachers. I say we need to respect the ones we have and create an environment with decreased toxicity. Dr. Kirwan stated that many teachers leave after two years in the profession, with no data on why. To understand and correct this situation, I would develop a strategy using the Balanced Scorecard Method. Interview each teacher, administrators, and staff to determine expectations. Employ expectation management in areas needed and monitor teacher needs in terms of resources and mental health. Use a volunteerism approach from within school and community to fill needs.
How concerned are you about school safety, and what if anything should be done to improve it?
Safety is a number one priority. HCPS has done a good job working with local police for opening and dismissal monitoring, but I am concerned about hallway monitoring and verifying that protocols are being followed. I would like to create hall/entrance monitors that could be fulfilled by volunteers, schools staff, or technology. HCPS has developed an app to alert parents and community of issues at the school, which I think will be helpful in preventing interference with professionals responding to incidents close to school zones. That said, schools need to inform community of this new capability and provide training when needed.
Do you have any concerns about the way history is taught in your district’s schools, and if so, what are they?
Since I am not a parent, obtaining specific curriculum is not possible. I am working with the school to obtain a sample of curriculum. That said, I am concerned about a cancel culture that exists both in schools and society. I am concerned that critical race theory is being taught in the schools, creating division rather than assimilation. I am also concerned about the ideologies students identify with, that are counter to the American dream. Many graduates support a socialistic government and no longer have that drive to own a piece of Americana.
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, if a book contains content that is not appropriate for students that have access to the library it should be removed. Any book that is sexually explicit or writes about sexual ideations should be removed. I strongly believe that the over-sexualization of our children is problematic and all attempts to limit exposure are necessary.
