Issues (New version)

Better Maryland Schools believes every child deserves a safe classroom, every parent deserves respect, and every tax dollar deserves accountability.

Budget — Sensible Spending

School spending is climbing faster than enrollment or inflation — yet classrooms don’t see the benefit. (Source: Analysis of FCPS budget books)

• For nearly every 4 new students, 1 new staff member was hired.

• Less than half of staff are classroom teachers.

• Bureaucracy grows, while union leaders lobby for more dues and more politics.

We believe every dollar should go where it matters most: the classroom. That means cutting waste, protecting teachers’ pay, and stopping the union from treating schools like an ATM for political campaigns.

Academics — Education Excellence

Parents expect schools to teach the basics well. But too many students are falling behind. (Source Maryland State Report Card)

• 75% of our students fail algebra.

• 40% can’t pass English

• Minority students are left even further behind.

Meanwhile, union leaders fight for rigid rules that block innovation — like Maryland’s charter school law that bans online options and forces charters to hire only union teachers. Our law is ranked as the worst in America.

We believe every child deserves a path to success. That means expanding career and technical training, fixing the broken charter law, and ensuring families — not union bosses — have the final say in what works best for kids.

Parental Rights — Families First

No one cares more about children than their parents. But too often, parents are being sidelined.

• Policies that allow boys in girls bathrooms and sports teams.

• School libraries include explicit material, while rejecting classics.

• Parents asking for transparency are ignored by the legislature, who vote against their bills.

And when parents speak up, the union too often smears them as “extremists” instead of listening.

We believe parents are partners, not obstacles. That means protecting fairness in sports, ensuring privacy, and guaranteeing notification when policies affect children — no matter what the union says.

Our Vision

Maryland schools don’t need more bureaucracy, or more union politics. They need more results, respect, and responsibility.

With sensible spending, education excellence, and families first, we can give every child in Frederick County the education they deserve.