2026 Candidate Spotlight: Meet Cathy Kowalewski

FOREST HILL, MD — Cathy Kowalewski has entered the race for Harford County Board of Education District C. Patch posed questions to each candidate running for office.

Below you will find Kowalewski's responses, verbatim:

Name: Cathy Kowalewski

Age on Election Day: 65

Hometown: Forest Hill

Email address: Cathykowalewski4boardofed@gmail.com

Political Affiliation: Non-partisan

Campaign website: cathykforboardofed.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/4230030603878930

Do you have any previous political experience?

I do not have any previous political experience.

What do you believe is the single-most important issue facing voters in the district you’re looking to represent? How do you intend to address those issues?

I believe that the most important issue that parents are concerned about in our schools currently is class sizes which in turn impacts student achievement and a teacher's ability to adequately meet the needs of all students in the class as well as impacting school safety. Class sizes are primarily a direct result of underfunding from the county government. I intend to be actively involved in advocating for the adequate funding of our schools with whatever politicians play a role in the county budget and speaking publicly about the school system's needs. Additionally, every line item in the budget would need to be examined for necessity and adjustments made where possible to prevent losing student facing positions.

How do you differ from other candidates running against you?

I have 42 years of experience working in education at all levels from PK to the college level as a teacher, adjunct instructor, school counselor and school psychologist. I am the only candidate in my district that has any experience in education which I believe is critical to have on the Board of Education. I am also the only candidate in my district that has a mental health background, as both a licensed school psychologist and licensed mental health professional, and that is critical to addressing the mental health issues, including bullying, that our students are facing. I also believe in respecting and protecting all students, regardless of their race, gender identity, religion, economic status, etc. I do not believe in book bans and trust educators to deal with sensitive topics in the curriculum.

How would your work experience benefit the goals/objectives you’ve outlined in your campaign and/or the office you’re seeking?

I understand first hand how the school system works and what the strengths and needs are for our students. I have also worked on a large variety of teams in my role as a school psychologist and know how to work collaboratively with others to get things accomplished and know how to analyze student data such as state test scores in a meaningful way.
What is your opinion of the work being done by the current office holder, and how will you improve on it? The current Board of Ed member for my district is doing a wonderful job!

Dr. Mueller has a background in education which is critically important to her role. She engages in conversations on the dais that are well thought out, mindful of all students and what is in their best interest, knowledgeable, and rooted in facts. Dr. Mueller does not get caught up in the current political divisiveness in our county and isn't afraid to stay true to who she is. Whoever replaces Dr. Mueller will have some big shoes to fill. My hope would be to continue her legacy of student focused service with an emphasis on working to close some of the divisiveness that currently exists through collaborative conversations and using evidence based research and facts to educate others and make decisions that will best serve our students.

How do you feel about the school system in your area and what improvements would you like to see be made?

I believe that our school system has many strengths, including the many educators who work tirelessly to educate students despite the numerous challenges faced by educators today. Ours school system also faces challenges in areas such as student mental health including bullying, class sizes, teacher recruitment and retention, and student achievement. Most of the challenges that the school system faces have to do with not being adequately funded.

Lack of adequate funding makes teacher recruitment and retention more difficult, results in cutting teacher positions which leads to larger class sizes and decreased ability to adequately meet the needs of all students academically and behaviorally. We also need more mental health supports for our students so that they are in a place where they are ready to learn and need consistent consequences for behavioral issues that are in keeping with state laws, MSDE guidelines and the developmental needs of the student.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

I have lived in Harford County for 30 years where my husband and I have raised two children who went through Harford County Public Schools. In addition to working as a school psychologist for the past 32 years, I have also supervised more than 15 school psychology interns in Harford County Public Schools. My commitment to education extends to serving on multiple professional committees and presenting numerous professional developments across all disciplines.

I believe the following issues are important to address:

Student and staff safety which extends to both physical and psychological safety. i believe in increasing initiatives to make sure all those who enter our school buildings feel welcome which includes having students see themselves reflected in staff, the curriculum and the books available in our school libraries. I also believe that more needs to be done to address bullying in our buildings which requires additional mental health supports.

Academic achievement. I believe this starts with smaller class sizes and safe classroom environments where all children can learn.

Book bans. I do not support book bans or the removal of books from our school libraries. I trust our librarians to choose books that represent the needs of all students. Every parent already has the option to opt their child out of any book that does not align with their values, but they should only be able to make that decision for their own child and not all children. I also believe that students need to see themselves in books and that access to books is an equity issue. Not all students have the resources to buy a book that they want to read or to get to a public library.

Support for educators. Educators are highly trained professionals who deserve respect and support. I believe that educators should have a seat at the table when decisions are being made that will directly impact them in their classrooms.

Accountability. Accountability extends to staff, students, and families within the context of the Cathy Kowalewski campaign for the Harford County Board of Education. We all must work collaboratively and take ownership of our roles in the lives of children. Staff issues should be addressed privately after all information is known. Students should be held accountable for inappropriate behaviors, considering their developmental age and all applicable laws. Caregivers should engage in conversations with their students, ensuring they come to school ready to learn.