It turns out that regrdless of which Montgomery County, Maryland Board of Education district you live in, you can vote for each district and at-large race on the ballot ($18,000 per year salary and 4 year term). In district 4 (Takoma Park, Silver Spring) my decision is simple...will I vote for Christopher S. Barclay? I wasn't sure so I went and got a truckload of internet to help me decide. If you need help deciding back your truck up to the information pile below...
Christopher S. Barclay: of Takoma Park holds a BS from Columbia University in Chicago and is currently a Project Manager for Verizon. Barclay has been a member of the MCCPTA for several years and has 3 children attending MoCoPS (site). Barclay was appointed to the district 4 seat of the MoCo BoE in December 2007 to replace Valerie Ervin who was moving up to County Council.
Barclay has focussed on minority achievement gaps which he says is due to institutionalized racism and lowered expectations for Black and Hispanic students and the focus continues into the current election (site).
During his tenure Barclay travelled to Chicago with the IMPACT to observe literacy ambassadors (site) and favors grade tracking services which allows parents to keep students and teachers accountable (site). Barclay thinks there is too much emphasis on "No Child Left Behind" but is unsure whether Eid Ul-Fitr should be a school holiday (site). Barclay supports the inclusion of discussions regarding homosexuality and contraception use in the health curriculum, but stopped short of voting to include a statement in 8th grade health that American Psychological Association that the medical community has determined that homosexuality is not an illness. Barclay supports the current teachers contract and stymied Weast's attempt to railraod $10 million, 3 year reform package until all stakeholders could offer input.
Barclay is endorsed by the teachers union (MCEA) and the SEIU local 500 (Montgomery County Public School system employees). Barclay publicly endorsed Barack Obama and has donated $750 to the Obama campaign (site)
ENTERIK'S RECOMMENDATION: Vote FOR Christopher S. Barclay who has a cautious circumspect style of decision making. Sometimes this serves the community well, as in countervaling Superintendent Weast's zeal, but sometimes falling short of my admittedly liberal positions, though never intentionally alienating. His persistant focus on reducing the minority achievement gap is commendable. Barclay has been endorsed by the teachers unions and the school employees union and is a vocal supporter of Barack Obama.