A college student, lawyer, retiree and home-schooling parent are among a diverse field of candidates running for three open Howard school board positions next year.
Diane Butler, a home-schooling parent, and Di Zou, a sophomore at the University of Maryland, are running largely because they say they can improve the school system.
“The school system failed my child,” said Butler, of Ellicott City.
“My daughter is gifted, and I ended up having to pull her from classes and home-school her.”
Her daughter started third grade in 2000, and after three months, she said the board was being unresponsive and that her child wasn?t being sufficiently challenged in school.
Butler is also running to seek more sensible redistricting methods and an increased emphasis on math and science.
Zou, a math major from Glenwood, said he was unsatisfied with the school system?s method of tracking grades and attendance.
He said tests need to be written better, and he wants more options for students not planning to attend college.
Columbia resident Faenita Dilworth, a cosmetic-company consultant, said she?s running because she?s the best candidate to help close the county?s achievement gap.
Not all the candidates said they were discontent with the school system.
“I?ve always been interested in public education,” said Allen Dyer, a lawyer.
“My wife and I moved to Howard County because of the good public education system.”
That was 20 years ago, and since then his two children have graduated from the county. Dyer, of Glenelg, is making his fourth run for school board.
Retiree and Ellicott City resident Betsy Grater, a former teacher and businesswoman, said she is running because she wants the “excellence in Howard County schools to continue.”
Board members Ellen Flynn Giles, of Scaggsville, and Janet Siddiqui, of Clarksville, said they?re running again for one simple reason: There?s still more work to do.
School board terms are four years.
One of the open positions is that of former Board President Diane Mikulis, who will not seek re-election.
