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Board of Education Member · Frederick County · 2026 Primary
Members of the Board of Education oversee the local public school system by setting educational policies, approving the annual operating budget, and hiring the superintendent. They make key decisions on matters such as student curriculum, school boundaries, and the maintenance of school facilities. This office is important because its members determine how tax dollars are spent to support student learning and the overall quality of schools in the community.
View all candidates in this raceDavid A. Migdal is a retired Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) administrator and teacher running for the Board of Education. He brings 30 years of professional experience, during which he chaired over 2,000 IEP/504 meetings. As a father of three children who each had an IEP or 504, Migdal advocates for systemic changes to special education to make the process more collaborative and equitable for families who cannot afford private advocates. His platform emphasizes a "common-sense approach" to school governance, focusing on budget transparency, academic results based on the science of learning, and enhanced school safety measures.
Sources: Campaign website
We need to get back to a common-sense approach to how the school system is running and collaborate with all BOE members to focus on what is important.
Transparency for all spending begins with providing the public with a “Line Item” budget, so all county residents and BOE members truly understand the allocation of funds.
The school system needs to get back to “BASICS” based on the science of learning.
Unfortunately, the current approach by central office is throwing money at parents who can afford to hire support instead of fixing the ever-growing problems in special education.
Source: migdal4boe.com
Smarter Spending
Advocates for a line-item budget for public transparency, auditing central office staffing to reduce the number of directors and supervisors, and creating new revenue streams through corporate advertising on buses, buildings, and sports fields.
“Transparency for all spending begins with providing the public with a “Line Item” budget... Partnering with companies to advertise on buses, sports fields, and other buildings will provide additional revenue needed to support FCPS.”
Stronger Results & Curriculum
Proposes returning to "BASICS" based on the science of learning, including explicit handwriting instruction, updating math interventions, and ending the pattern of changing ELA curriculum every few years.
“The school system needs to get back to “BASICS” based on the science of learning. This includes bringing back explicit handwriting instruction with accountability.”
Special Education Reform
Calls for earlier identification and testing for students with Specific Learning Disabilities and a shift from a reactive to a proactive response in communication with parents regarding IEP/504 processes.
“FCPS is not identifying and testing students early even with screening (DIBELS)... the multitiered system of support is delaying students from getting identified, tested, and qualified for IEP services.”
Safe Schools
Proposes piloting classroom cameras for nonverbal students (accessible to the central office), ensuring strict adherence to bullying policies, and implementing a debriefing process for emergency drills monitored by central office staff.
“Pilot cameras in the classrooms for the most vulnerable students (nonverbal) in order to ensure transparency and safety.”
David Migdal appeared on The Morning News Express Podcast to discuss the Board of Education and various issues facing the Frederick County Public Schools.
“Review the current curriculum and instructional practices. The school system needs to get back to “BASICS” based on the science of learning.”
Source“Transparency for all spending begins with providing the public with a “Line Item” budget, so all county residents and BOE members truly understand the allocation of funds.”
Source“Ensure that all buildings are following the policies and procedures regarding emergency drills.”
Source