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Board of Education Member · District 5 · Montgomery 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 raceElma-Lorraine Diggs is a Montgomery County Board of Education candidate running for District 5 unopposed. She is a mother of two MCPS students—a fifth grader and second grader—and served as PTA President before her campaign. As a child, she survived Liberia's civil war and entered the US through the MCPS school system, which became her foundation for rebuilding and learning. Her professional background includes working at USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) where she worked to save lives and alleviate suffering globally. She describes herself as a survivor turned humanitarian with extensive organizational and budget experience that she wants to apply to District 5 and the entire county.
Sources: Campaign website
In Montgomery County, the story has been the same for far too long: resources haven't reached our communities in the way they should.
We will ENGAGE every family and neighbor so that everyone has a voice in how our schools are shaped. We want to EMPOWER our community; recognizing that even in these challenging times, our collective power is real but only when we come together and advocate for the resources we deserve.
I will fight to ensure every child has access to high-quality education and programs that prepare them for college and career success regardless of zip code, and I will push for equitable investment and resource decisions so equity is delivered through action, not just policy.
Source: eld4boe.com
Equity in Education Access
Ensuring every child has access to high-quality education and programs regardless of zip code, with equitable investment and resource decisions delivered through action not just policy
“I will fight to ensure every child has access to high-quality education and programs that prepare them for college and career success regardless of zip code”
Community Engagement
Building meaningful connections between families, educators, and community voices while serving as a bridge so parents and communities are heard in shaping schools
“I will build meaningful connections between families, educators, and community voices, bringing diverse perspectives to decision-making tables”
Accountability
Bringing proven leadership and strong oversight to strengthen accountability so every dollar and decision directly improves classrooms and student outcomes
“I will bring proven leadership and strong oversight to strengthen accountability and ensure every dollar and decision directly improves classrooms and student outcomes”
External sources note that Diggs participated in a primary election forum alongside three other candidates where school safety and parent engagement were discussed. MyMC Media reports she has no challengers in District 5 and identifies her as a global health policy advisor whose two children attend MCPS schools. The Churchill Observer provides general election context about the nonpartisan primaries but does not include specific commentary on Diggs beyond confirming seats are open.
“I will fight to ensure every child has access to high-quality education and programs that prepare them for college and career success regardless of zip code”
Source“I will build meaningful connections between families, educators, and community voices, bringing diverse perspectives to decision-making tables”
Source