Meet Harford County Education Board Candidate Joe Fleckenstein 2026 Election Spotlight

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Joe Fleckenstein will be on the ballot Election Day as a candidate for Harford County Board of Education District C.

Patch posed questions to each candidate running for office.

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Below you will find this candidate's responses, verbatim:

Name: Joe Fleckenstein

Age on Election Day: 55

Hometown: Bel Air, MD

Political Affiliation: Republican

Email Address: joe.fleckenstein@gmail.com

Campaign Website: https://www.joe4boe2026.com

Facebook Campaign Page: Joe Fleckenstein for Harford County Board of Education District C

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?

The most important issue facing voters is the future of our children and grandchildren. With only approximately 60% of our HCPS students passing the State-level English Language Arts Exam, and 50% passing similar testing in Math and Science, but with an over 90% graduation rate, how will a large chunk of our graduates' fare in the real-world without the necessary basic skills? The solution is to get back to the basics of academics: reading, reading comprehension, phonics, cursive writing, teaching math in a way that parents understand and may help assist their children, and understanding world geography and our great American history. We need less screen time at the elementary level, and children should never be promoted to the next grade level, until they have mastered the material in their present grade.

How do you differ from other candidates running against you?

I believe in teaching academics over political activism. My opponent believes in academics, but that takes a back-seat to the introduction of books with pornographic themes at the high school level into our school libraries and a tolerance for political activism being talked about inside the classroom. If parents want their students engaged in political endeavors or reading books not appropriate to be read aloud at School Board meetings, they may do that outside of school time and not on school property. School is for academics and traditional learning, and our students and teachers need to devote their total attention to this. In the real world, employers want employees and managers who are literate and capable of independent thought.

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

As a defense contractor on APG, I work in an access control and customer service role, interacting daily with custodians, maintenance workers, contractors, government civilians, and military soldiers including generals and colonels. My ability to organize and listen in this role serves as a great training ground for the diverse audiences of a School Board, students, teachers, staff, and parents. Furthermore, working in access control, I have a strong appreciation for school safety and security needs.

What is your opinion of the work being done by the current office holder, and how will you improve on it?

The current office holder is term-limited and cannot run for the seat this term. She believes in education and is a former teacher. However, she votes in a way that endorses woke policies and activism in our schools. We cannot afford to have people holding that philosophy in our school system, as it severely distracts from the fundamental academic learning that needs to take place. Again, large numbers of HCPS students are not reading or doing math at grade level when they graduate. These are our future leaders. She and the former superintendent never seriously addressed this major problem.

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

1. Parents and grandparents need transparency and to know what their children/grandchildren are being taught, so that they may be opted out of controversial topics.

2. Reading comprehension, cursive writing, phonics, and math must be emphasized, especially at the elementary school level.

3. Everyone must be able to read and understand the school budget and identify where spending is taking place.

4. There should not be pay to play for student sports in our school system.

5. No biological boys should be allowed inside of girls' locker rooms or bathrooms. Biological boys should not be allowed to participate in girls' sports.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

I am a 1989 graduate of Bel Air High School. During the 1980's, 90's, and early 2000's, we had amazing schools in Harford County, and much of Maryland. Today, some schools and many students excel and accomplish great things. I'm proud of those accomplishments. But with thousands of students falling through the cracks, and the system just passing them from grade to grade without proper accountability, this situation can no longer be tolerated. Strong leadership that holds students accountable and ensures that parents are in control of their children is desperately needed. It's a return to the basics, and mastering the basics is essential to success after high school. I am the only Board of Education candidate in District C, Bel Air and Forest Hill, with the wisdom and common sense to return our schools to their core mission of teaching fundamental academics without unnecessary distractions.