Meet Howard County Education Board Candidate: Cindy Vaillancourt

ELLICOTT CITY, MD — When voters cast their ballots in the Nov. 3 elections, they will be asked to select individuals to serve on the Howard County's board of education.

Patch asked each candidate to answer questions to help provide voters with information about who they are and their stances on various issues. We are printing their responses in full, unedited except for spelling or punctuation. Below are the responses from candidate Cindy Vaillancourt.

Age (as of Election Day)

58

Town/City of Residence

Ellicott City

Office Sought

County School Board

If you are a congressional candidate, please indicate for which district (District 1, District 3, etc.)

D5

Party Affiliation

Independent

Family

Husband, Mike, Daughter and Son in Law, Katie and Chris Bennett, grandson Henry, and Son John Vaillancourt

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

no

Education

Bachelors of Arts, English and History, Denison University, Granville, Ohio

Occupation

Former project manager for a real estate development and construction company, Boston, MA

Campaign website

www.cindyvaillancourt.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

2010-2018, HoCo Board of Education

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Getting our children back to school safely with the budget and staffing constraints we are working under. We need to take a thorough look at the cost savings and the cost overruns resulting from having the buildings closed and the implementation of distance learning and make thoughtful plans for providing generally accepted safety protocols and equipment, and staffing, so we can begin bringing students back in small groups, prioritizing those who receive specialized services and are able and willing to comply with safety protocols.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

I support without reservation efforts to make certain that all people are treated legally, ethically, and equitably.

What are your thoughts on the campaign to "defund" the police?

As I understand it, most of the time the phrase "defund the police" means to reallocate the ever increasing resources devoted to enforcement, to incorporate more social workers and mental health counselors to get to the root of the social problems that lead to crime, or that lead to crisis. When that is the intent of the phrase, I am in support of efforts to review and reallocate where possible, to take a holistic approach to law enforcement and policing.

What are your thoughts on the state and national response to the coronavirus pandemic? Do you favor such measures as limiting operation of non-essential businesses or restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a nationwide mask mandate?

These are not issues that the board of education will be deciding. I support science and data driven decisions in the interest of the long term public health.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have 20 years of experience, with 8 of the last 10 years serving on the board of education. I have extensive experience and knowledge with all aspects of the HCPSS, special education and the state, local and federal laws, rules and regulations under which public education operates, as well as a track record of successfully overcoming regulatory and personality obstacles.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

There is not currently a specific board of education member for D5, so this question does not apply.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

The BOE/HCPSS must commit to being responsive to the community, scrupulously transparent, and strive to communicate thoroughly with the community about its challenges, plans, and needs. This will be extremely important when developing the next budgets under the current economically uncertain situation, and when the new board of education draws new attendance areas in order to open HS13, the Hammond HS addition, and the new Talbot Springs ES.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I was instrumental in leading the effort to remove the previously unresponsive board of education and superintendent, get the law changed to allow boards to terminate their own superintendents, participated in three redistricting processes, and successfully fought to restore media center staffing and para educators after cuts led to the closing of media centers.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

When the new schools and additions are ready to open in the fall of 2023, I would consider my term a success if the attendance areas and the feeder system provide reasonable and logical attendance areas, and programmatic and calendar changes have been included giving all students and families the options that HCPSS has not previously offered for things like an IB or Performing Arts High School, enhanced true Vo-Tech programs, and calendars that are more family friendly. I will also be advocating to apply lessons learned during the crisis to provide more virtual and distance learning options to our families.

Why should voters trust you?

I have a lengthy track record of being responsive and supportive to students, parents, and staff as well as many success stories working with parents to get their children through the bureaucracy of HCPSS.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

It is important that HCPSS use available resources wisely, but also critical that HCPSS communicate clearly with the community about what the programs and services the community demands will cost, and present options for going forward.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

no

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Knowing what the right decision is is usually pretty clear. The times we fret over a decision is when we are trying to figure out how to justify not doing what we know is right.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

The elected board of education in Howard County is the voice of the community in the operations of a large and comprehensive tax payer funded government operation. It is important that Board Members are responsive and focus on the constituent service aspects of the position along with the technical issues and decisions the board is tasked with making.