Loading your ballot results. Please wait.
Loading your ballot results. Please wait.
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 raceJess Douglass is a special education teacher who has worked in public schools for her entire career and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Pennsylvania State University and a Masters degree in adolescent development from the University of Maryland in 2005. She moved to Frederick County in 2009, lives in Mt. Airy, and her four sons attend Frederick County Public Schools. After witnessing school shootings like Parkland in 2018, she became involved in gun violence prevention and community advocacy work. She is running for the Frederick County Board of Education because she believes public schools can provide universal access to education and promote social equality when they are safe with smaller class sizes and prepared teachers.
Sources: Campaign website
"I believe in the power of public schools to provide universal access to education, and to promote social equality."
"Our children deserve to learn in a space that is comfortable, welcoming, and conducive to learning. Our staff deserve to work in a space that supports their professional needs and allows them to feel secure in their safety and the safety of our students."
"I am here to ensure that our schools and our students remain a priority and that we move forward clear-eyed and stalwart in our purpose to protect them."
"Media Center specialists are essential in elementary schools. Behavioral Support specialists are essential in special education classrooms... I urge the county council to recognize that these unmet needs are actually essential and provide funding beyond the Board of Education's request so that FCPS can maintain these critical positions."
Source: electjessdouglass.com
School Construction
Advocates for new school construction and renovations to address overcrowding and aging facilities, including Brunswick High School replacement, Twin Ridge Elementary School renovations, Hillcrest Elementary School renovations, Middletown Elementary and Middle School replacement, and a new elementary school opening August 2026.
“"Our children deserve to learn in a space that is comfortable, welcoming, and conducive to learning. Our staff deserve to work in a space that supports their professional needs and allows them to feel secure in their safety and the safety of our students."”
Safe Schools
Prioritizes construction and renovation of school facilities with advanced security features, modernizing buildings to create safe environments for students and educators.
“"Frederick County needs to provide safety for the children attending our schools. Crumbling buildings and portable classrooms don't do that. When students feel safe, they are more likely to focus on learning and academic achievement."”
Smaller Class Sizes
Advocates for hiring more teachers to reduce overcrowding as FCPS is the fastest growing public school system in Maryland with student population anticipated to increase by 11,456 students between 2020 and 2030.
“"Students in a classroom with 40 students in it are not going to get the same quality instruction that a more reasonably-sized class would expect. FCPS needs to hire more teachers. Smaller class sizes will enrich educational experiences for our students while simultaneously attracting and retaining quality educators."”
Teacher Retention
Advocates for teacher salaries comparable with neighboring counties, training and support from central office, and recognition of educators' workload to prevent losing best staff.
“"I also believe that their excellence needs to be recognized in the form of consistent support and fair salaries. We cannot lose our best and brightest school staff to neighboring counties who are not afraid to put teachers first."”
Media Center Specialists
Advocates for restoration of funding for Media Center specialists in elementary schools.
“"Media Center specialists are essential in elementary schools. Behavioral Support specialists are essential in special education classrooms... I urge the county council to recognize that these unmet needs are actually essential and provide funding beyond the Board of Education's request so that FCPS can maintain these critical positions."”
Behavioral Health Specialists
Advocates for restoration of funding for Behavioral Support specialists in special education classrooms.
“"Media Center specialists are essential in elementary schools. Behavioral Support specialists are essential in special education classrooms... I urge the county council to recognize that these unmet needs are actually essential and provide funding beyond the Board of Education's request so that FCPS can maintain these critical positions."”
According to campaign finance filings from January 2025 through January 2026, Jess Douglass was among the top three fundraisers in the Frederick County Board of Education race, receiving over $12,000 in contributions during that reporting period. The Frederick News-Post reported she filed her campaign finance report along with six other candidates while four others did not submit reports as of the filing deadline.
“"I believe in the power of public schools to provide universal access to education, and to promote social equality."”
Source“"Frederick County needs to provide safety for the children attending our schools. Crumbling buildings and portable classrooms don't do that."”
Source“"Our children deserve to learn in a space that is comfortable, welcoming, and conducive to learning. Our staff deserve to work in a space that supports their professional needs and allows them to feel secure in their safety and the safety of our students."”
Source“"I urge the county council to recognize that these unmet needs are actually essential and provide funding beyond the Board of Education's request so that FCPS can maintain these critical positions."”
Source