Endorsements
"I am supporting Friends of Jeanette Flaim, who is a candidate for District 3 in the upcoming school board primary election on May 14. It is important to note that this is a nonpartisan race, and all voters are encouraged to vote in the primary election. I am confident that electing Jeanette Flaim will ensure that our school district continues to prioritize safe, inclusive, and equitable learning environments for each student."
— Pamela Cousins
She was elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2018 to serve on the Calvert County Board of Education where she served as president and vice president three times in both roles.
Why do I so strongly endorse Jeanette and urge you to support her candidacy? Jeanette’s two opponents, Melissa Goshorn and Kelly McConkey, are not addressing the issues that would improve the education of children in our schools. Both are focusing vaguely on the Board’s budget without saying what the problems are that they would correct and are making vague references to the State’s Blueprint for Education – an important plan to upgrade education throughout Maryland. Neither is focusing clearly on the problems that they want to fix in the BoE. Melissa, in particular has focused on fighting Critical Race Theory and “Woke” (whatever than means) that are allegedly being taught in the schools without providing any evidence. But her campaign literature is not addressing core educational concerns such as:
- drops in scores for standardized tests;
- poor attainment levels for school graduates (60% of whom need remedial reading and math when they first attend the College of Southern Maryland);
- declining rates of graduation;
- groundless campaigns to ban books in schools that deprive students the opportunity to explore topics of importance to them; and
- inadequate counseling for at-risk students.
These are the problems that the BoE should be addressing and Jeanette intends to address them.
But, rather than your taking my word for what she plans to do, I’m forwarding to you a notice of a chat with her at the Southern Branch of the Library on Thursday, April 4th between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Please consider attending this unique opportunity to not only meet Jeanette but also to learn what she intends to do to strengthen education in our schools. I urge you to come prepared to support her candidacy not only with your votes in May and November, but also contribute to her campaign.
I look forward to seeing you next Thursday evening.
— Leonard B. Zuza