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Board of Education Member · District C · Harford 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 raceJoe Fleckenstein is a candidate seeking election to the Harford County Board of Education in District C, identifying as a Bel Air native running under the slogan Back to the Basics and Beyond! His platform emphasizes academic excellence, requiring students to master fundamental skills like reading, writing, math, history, and science before promotion. Fleckenstein also prioritizes fiscal responsibility for teachers, aiming to retain staff by offering desirable salaries and preventing them from leaving for neighboring counties or Pennsylvania. He advocates for specific safety measures, including the use of Open Gate technology at high schools and supporting School Resource Officers. Additionally, he supports expanding career and technology programs alongside his stance on protecting biological privacy regarding sports and restrooms.
Sources: Campaign website
"Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) must equip every child with a strong skillset in the basic disciplines of reading, writing, math, history and science."
"I will work to direct funds to support our teachers, to offer desirable salaries, and to enable them to teach free of social or political agendas."
"Biological male students should not participate in biological female sports."
"It is inappropriate, unsafe, and creepy for biological girls and women to be forced to share a bathroom or locker room with boys and men."
"I support utilizing the non-intrusive Open Gate technology at high-profile school events and in high schools to keep students and staff safe."
Source: joe4boe2026.com
Academic Excellence
Students must master basic disciplines before promotion; extra instruction is needed for low math scores.
“"Students should not be promoted to the next grade level until the fundamentals are satisfied. Furthermore, due to low standardized Math scores across our middle and high schools, extra instruction and tutoring for many students is a priority to ensure they succeed."”
Teacher Retention & Fiscal Responsibility
Direct funds to support teachers with desirable salaries to prevent loss of staff to other counties or states.
“"Let’s not lose our valuable Harford County teachers to Baltimore or Cecil Counties, nor to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I will work to direct funds to support our teachers, to offer desirable salaries..."”
Gender Privacy in Schools
Biological males excluded from female sports; biological females only use assigned facilities.
“"Biological male students should not participate in biological female sports. Furthermore, biological girls and women should be the only ones using their assigned bathrooms and locker rooms."”
School Safety
Support SROs and Open Gate technology at high schools to maintain security.
“"I support utilizing the non-intrusive Open Gate technology at high-profile school events and in high schools to keep students and staff safe. It is critical to immediately address unacceptable behavior and fighting on school grounds or at school events."”
Career & Technology Programs
Expand hands-on pathways that equip students with real-world skills.
“"Building on a strong academic foundation, I will work to expand hands-on career and technology pathways that equip students with real-world skills which open doors to future opportunities."”
“"Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) must equip every child with a strong skillset in the basic disciplines of reading, writing, math, history and science."”
Source“"I will work to direct funds to support our teachers, to offer desirable salaries..."”
Source“"I support utilizing the non-intrusive Open Gate technology at high-profile school events and in high schools to keep students and staff safe."”
Source