Kathleen Causey
To provide students, their families, and all of Baltimore County’s stakeholders with a world-class, 21st century public education system built on integrity and transparency, Kathleen Causey is seeking election to the county’s Board of Education for the third councilmanic district.
Causey currently holds the position, having been appointed by Gov. Larry Hogan in July 2015 after encouragement from community leaders to accept her application. Following a change in the law, Baltimore County voters will now elect seven of the of the board’s 12 members — one from each of the county’s seven council districts — starting in 2018.
Before her appointment, Causey supported opening the Board selection process to the public via the ballot box, believing that citizens should have a greater voice in deciding what is best for students.
“There is no more important job in life than providing all of our young people with the education and care they need and deserve. As I’ve demonstrated throughout my life and tenure on the Board, I will always invest the hard work, thought, and time to do what is right for our kids, their teachers, and all of our families,” Causey said. “I am absolutely committed to making our school system one of the very best in the nation, both in terms of classroom instruction and boardroom decision-making.”
The Baltimore County Board of Education is a 12-member governing body responsible for school policy, school property, and the school budget. The Board is authorized by Maryland law to “determine, with advice of the county Superintendent, the educational policies of the county school system.” The Board is in charge of the 25th largest school system in the country, including:
- more than 170 schools, programs and centers;
- nearly 18,000 employees, more than half of them teachers;
- an annual budget of $1.84 billion dollars;
- capital spending of as much as $200 million dollars every year;
- and, most importantly of all, 113,282 students.
“I want every single young person in our county to receive what I did from public schools: highly qualified and fairly compensated teachers; a comprehensive curriculum with offerings to accommodate all students, whether they want to go on to college or would prefer vocational training; resources, such as technology, to promote learning and preparation for 21st century jobs; and school facilities that are safe, secure, climate controlled, and truly conducive to learning,” Causey said.
The election for school board representatives is non-partisan. Candidates are not affiliated with a political party. All registered candidates will compete against each other in the primary election on June 26, 2018. The top two vote-getters will then take part in the general election on November 6, 2018.
To learn more about Kathleen’s ideas for our students and school system, please visit her website, www.KathleenCausey.com or follow her onFacebook. She always welcomes students, parents, and stakeholders alike to share their thoughts and ask her questions at hello@kathleencausey.com.
Kathleen Causey
Board of Education of Baltimore County, 3rd District
Campaign Launch Speech
It is because of my family and all of your families that I am so very honored and excited today to formally announce my candidacy for the Board of Education of Baltimore County representing the third district. The third district is home to amazing diverse schools and communities, including: Dulaney, Hereford and Loch Raven High Schools; Cockeysville, Hereford, Pine Grove and Ridgely Middle Schools; and their feeder elementary schools.
This election will be an historic first … and it won’t come a minute too soon, given what we’ve been through. This will be the first time in our history that the public will have opportunity to directly select, via the ballot box, who will serve on the Board of Education.
As you know, these positions were previously filled by gubernatorial appointment. That system didn’t always work as well as it could have and should have on behalf of our young people, which is why I joined the drive to change the law to open the doors to you, your voices, and the sunlight of transparency and accountability. As the National School Board Association accurately states: local school boards are the nation’s preeminent expression of grassroots democracy and this election can ensure your views are heard.
I want to take a minute to provide a bit of a primer, just to make clear what’s involved and what’s at stake in this election.
The Board of Education of Baltimore County is a 12-member governing body responsible for school policy, school property, and the school budget. We’re not an advisory panel to be consulted or disregarded as it pleases others. We are a governing board, authorized by Maryland law, to “determine, with advice of the county Superintendent, the educational policies of the county school system.” In a word, we’re responsible foreverything:
- more than 170 schools, programs and centers;
- nearly 18,000 employees, more than half of them are dedicated, hard-working, caring teachers;
- an annual budget of $1.84 billion dollars;
- capital spending of as much as $200 million dollars every year;
- and, most importantly of all, over 113,000 students.
And in the near future, the Board will be responsible for selecting the next permanent Superintendent of our system, which is the 25th largest school system in our entire nation.
This is a big, important, labor-intensive job that requires dedication, experience, integrity, and an unfailing devotion to doing what it is in the best interest of students and staff and the people who support them with their time and hard-earned money. There is no place for those whose priority is to serve themselves … ever.
Now, I recognize, some will wonder what’s in it for board members: money, power, a stepping-stone to higher office? I’m sorry to disappoint the skeptics, but the job pays $100 per year. There is power, but if wielded responsibly and ethically, it all flows to our young people, every last ounce of it.
And as for a stepping-stone, I have no aspiration to higher office. The reason? I don’t believe there is a higher office. There is no more important mission in this world than educating, nurturing, and preparing our young people so they can fulfill their potential and lead our neighborhoods, county, and country to a safer, more equitable, and prosperous future.
This job isn’t about me. It’s about our kids. But it is important that you know what you and your children will be getting should you vote for me. I am the product of public schools. I had the great good fortune to attend one of the nation’s finest high schools, T.C. Williams in Alexandria, Va. I know first-hand what a world-class education looks like and the kind of magic it can work in the lives of all students, girls and boys alike, young people of every race, ethnicity, religion, and economic circumstance.
I want every single young person in our county to receive what I did:
- Committed, highly qualified, and fairly compensated teachers;
- a comprehensive curriculum with offerings to accommodate all students, whether they want to go on to college or would prefer career and vocational training;
- resources, such as technology, to promote learning and preparation for 21st century jobs; and
- School facilities that are safe, secure, climate controlled, and truly conducive to learning.
I want a county system where every student in every community benefits from every one of these things, not one where there are good schools and not-so-good schools, not one where there are winners and losers. In Baltimore County, we can ensure that all will win and receive the education they deserve.
We can do that, I assure you. The challenge is daunting, to be sure. But like you, I am undaunted. What’s more, I have the experience that’s necessary at this critical stage for our system.
As you know, I was appointed to the school board a little less than three years ago. I know how things work and, just as important, how things don’t work, how they can break down and fail to optimally serve our students, families, and faculty. I know the effort, knowledge, and courage it takes to serve. I didn’t have many allies, for example, when I voted against the re-nomination of the previous superintendent. The same goes for when I voted against his lavish contract. Those votes look like the right ones in light of what we’ve learned recently. But I’m not looking for a pat on the back. I’m seeking your vote, and here’s why, bottom line.
I can tell you with certainty that I will always … always … invite you to your rightful spot at the table. I will always … always … listen to students, staff, parents, and all stakeholders. There’s a reason God gave us two ears and only one mouth. I will strive to use them in proportion, but I will never be silent when it comes to representing you and our young people. I will always … always … exercise my independence to do what is right and just! Making the principled decision at the right time for the right reasons , regardless of detractors and their bullying. I don’t care about my popularity or my political standing. I care about the pupils and parents and taxpayers of our county.
I thank you again for attending today and for committing yourselves to our young people. And I urge you to vote, even if it is not for me. I mean that. It’s important for you to turn out in big numbers to show your elected representatives that you care about education and that you will be heard no matter what.
This election is a little different than what you’re probably accustomed to. For one, it is non-partisan. On primary day, June 26, you will have a choice of multiple school board candidates from the third councilmanic district. The top two vote-getters will then appear on the ballot for the general election, November 6.
If you would like to learn more about my ideas for our students and system, please visit my website, www.KathleenCausey.com. And if you’d like to support me, well, I’m honored and humbled, first and foremost, but I’d also encourage you to connect with us before election day. We’re going to be busy and could use your help. There’s going to be lots of door knocking and other events, lots of signs to distribute, lots of good times to be had. A good place to start for those interested is our website. You can also send an email to hello@kathleencausey.com
Benjamin Franklin said that an investment in knowledge pays the best interest. Let’s pledge here together that we will invest all we can to achieve the greatest return possible, and that’s young people who are healthy, well-rounded, and prepared to make our world a better place.
