Meet Harford Co. Education Board Candidate Cathy Kowalewski: 2026 Election Spotlight

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Cathy Kowalewski 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: Cathy Kowalewski
Age on Election Day: 65
Hometown: Forest Hill
Email address to be published: Cathykowalewski4boardofed@gmail.com
Campaign website: www.cathykforboardofed.com
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4230030603878930

Do you have any previous political experience? I do not have any prior political experience. In my job as a school psychologist, I do work with many teams and committees and know how to work collaboratively with others to accomplish shared goals.

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? For our schools, I believe the single most important issue is school safety. All parents/guardians want to feel confident that their children are safe when they send them to school each day. I will advocate for increasing the numbers of school safety liaisons and other measures in our buildings to help prevent issues. I will also advocate for school climates that help all students and staff feel welcome and for increased support to assist students who may exhibit concerning behaviors so that they and others remain safe. This may include supports such as additional mental health staff and additional alternative placement options for students who exhibit safety concerns toward others.

How do you differ from other candidates running against you? I am the only candidate with education experience. I have worked in education at all levels from PK to the community college level over the span of my 43 - year career. I understand how the school system works, its strengths and its needs.
How would your work experience benefit the goals/objectives you've outlined in your campaign and/or the office you're seeking? I have worked and continue to work on many different committees and teams in my job as a school psychologist. I understand how schools work and the legal and state laws and guidelines under which school systems must operate. I have firsthand knowledge and experience in seeing what the needs of our students and educators are and ways to address them so that all students and staff feel welcome and have what they need to thrive.

What is your opinion of the work being done by the current office holder, and how will you improve on it? I am very much in agreement with the decisions made by the person who currently represents District C on the Board of Education. I believe that particular Board member makes decisions in the best interest of all students and staff and her experience of having worked in education and as an active member of the Maryland Association of Boards of Education has helped guide informed decision making. I hope to continue making decisions that will be in the best interest of all in our school system and to get involved with the Maryland Association of Boards of Education as well so that I have a broad understanding of what is happening in school systems across the state and how student and staff needs are being met.

How do you feel about the school system in your area and what improvements would you like to see be made? I believe that we have a school system that can help all students succeed and thrive under the right conditions. Our educators are extremely dedicated and take their jobs seriously. Our schools need to continue working on improving academic achievement through the inclusion of more interventions for struggling students in the areas of reading and math, making sure instructional practices align with the science of learning, ensuring that all students and staff feel both physically and emotionally safe in our schools, empowering our educators by making sure that they have the tools, materials and supports needed to help students succeed and ensuring that all students feel seen, heard and respected. Safety must also continue to be a priority including interventions for students who are exhibiting unsafe behaviors in classrooms.

How do you feel about crime in your area and what steps can be taken to reduce it? The crime rate in the district I am running in is considered low compared to national averages. Even with a low crime rate, it is imperative that we protect the safety of our schools by continuing to improve our safety measures within our buildings including increasing the number of school safety liaisons in schools, as they serve as the eyes and ears on the ground to try to prevent any incidents before they occur.

What else would you like voters to know about you? I have been a Harford County resident for 30 years where my husband and I have raised two children who went through Harford County Public Schools. Education has been my lifelong passion and started in first grade when I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I earned a B.S. degree in Elementary Education from Loyola University, a M.S. degree in Counseling Psychology with a Clinical Option and a C.A.S. degree in School Psychology from Loyola as well. I am also a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and have worked as a therapist and a clinical supervisor in an outpatient setting. I am open to many different points of view and respect the opinions of others.
I do not think book bans or removals are necessary. Every parent should, and already does, have the right to decide what is best for their child as far as books and curriculum. Educators should have a voice in decisions being made that directly impact them in the classroom, and their voices should be heard and respected. Caregivers play a critical role in helping to make sure their student comes to school ready to learn and should collaborate with their child's teacher on how to best work together. Decisions should be based on research and facts to the extent possible and my hope is to help educate others regarding this research in both mental health and educational strategies.