Tom Fidler, one of the top retail leasing brokers in the Baltimore area, sat in an office at MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate Services, and explained that money isn?t everything when it comes to Harford County?s children.
That?s despite Harford?s school system being the worst-funded in the state, per pupil.
“Money certainly helps, but you need people to buy in and believe in it,” he said. “And then money just helps execute.”
Fidler will become the county?s Board of Education president July 9. He said his top concern is improving communication between the board, the county, parents, students and everyone involved.
But if the entire board were elected, to provide more accountability, Fidler said he would not run.
He said he wants to get to County Council meetings and respond to every parent?s e-mail and letter by distributing them to the appropriate cabinet member who can send the reply after Fidler signs off on it.
“I don?t know when I?m going to see my wife and kids,” he said.
At 37, Fidler will be one of the board?s youngest presidents, schools spokesman Don Morrison said.
Fidler wants to have a town meeting in the fall to discuss Capital Improvement Programs.
And with 16 years of experience in real estate, Fidler should be a good fit, said current President Mark Wolkow ? especially considering the system has approximately $85 million so far for next year?s CIPs.
Fidler said CIPs are his second priority, followed by heated issues such as block scheduling and everyday math for elementary kids. He wants to survey parents and students to assess the programs.
Intervention programs are fourth on Fidler?s priority list. About 50 percent of county students fail at least one class ? an unacceptable figure, he said.
Such programs cost money, but it starts with communication, he said.
“If I can?t get them to buy in and their commitment, then all the money in the world won?t do anything,” he said.
