Loading your ballot results. Please wait.
Loading your ballot results. Please wait.
Board of Education Member · District 4 · Charles 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 raceDenise M. Joseph, a 55-year-old resident of Waldorf and co-owner of Prep Academy Tutors of Southern Maryland, filed to run for the Charles County Board of Education District 4 seat in March 2026. She previously interviewed for the vacant seat last September but decided to run again following an incident where an exchange student was robbed at gunpoint after a basketball game at St. Charles High School. Joseph advocates for strengthening the public school system and ensuring education is accessible to all students, regardless of their background. She emphasizes innovative programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics alongside supplemental education and athletics to foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills among youth. Additionally, she plans to apply her project management skills to maintain accountability within the school system and support board policies.
Student Safety
Ensuring safety of students during school hours and at events following a recent robbery incident.
“"I am passionate about … making sure students are safe when they go to school and when they go to events," she said.”
Public School Advocacy
Strengthening the public school system to meet unique needs for all students.
“"I’m an advocate of strengthening the public school system,” she said. “Making sure students’ unique needs are met and making sure education is there for all students.”
STEM & Innovation
Implementing innovative science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs to support critical thinking.
“"Innovative science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs... That really helps support students with critical thinking, problem solving and innovative learning,” she said.”
Accountability
Using project management skills to keep the school system accountable and support board policies.
“"Joseph will use her project management skills to keep the school system accountable as well as to support the school board and policies that are created, she said."”
External reporting from the Maryland Independent notes that Joseph filed to run for District 4 on February 24 after previously interviewing for the seat in September. The article highlights her motivation following a recent robbery of an exchange student at St. Charles High School, which influenced her decision to seek office again. She is running against incumbent members Yonelle Moore Lee and Bridgette Patterson, with the primary election scheduled for June 23.
“"I’m an advocate of strengthening the public school system,” she said. “Making sure students’ unique needs are met and making sure education is there for all students.”
Source“"I am passionate about … making sure students are safe when they go to school and when they go to events," she said.”
Source“"Innovative science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs... That really helps support students with critical thinking, problem solving and innovative learning,” she said.”
Source