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Board of Education Member · Howard 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 raceDr. Lanlan Xu is running for Howard County Board of Education in the 2026 election as a candidate for two at-large seats. She holds a PhD in Public Policy from Indiana University and another in German Literature from Georgetown University, currently serves as Vice President of Health Policy at a consulting firm, and previously held senior roles at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services while serving as policy advisor at the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. She is chair of the AAPI Commission of Howard County and has previously served on the Howard County Commission for Women, Columbia Festival of the Arts, Howard County Tourism Board, and Howard County Flag Commission. Lanlan and her husband have lived in Howard County for more than a decade where they raised two children who attended Howard County public schools.
Sources: Campaign website
I'm running to help every student discover their path and reach their full potential.
My vision is for every student in Howard County to have the support, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive, in the classroom and beyond.
Lanlan is stepping up for our schools and will bring over a decade of community leadership and policy experience to the Board of Education.
Source: lanlanxu.org
Funding
Advocating for full funding of HCPSS FY27 budget to prevent erosion of educational resources and stabilize classrooms
“We must stabilize our classrooms. That means protecting teachers, paraeducators, special ed staff, multilingual learner supports, school psychologists, media specialists, and more.”
Student Well-being
Supporting the well-being of students, teachers, and staff with safe, inclusive environments that foster both mental and physical health
“S - Support: Support the well-being of students, teachers, and staff with safe, inclusive environments that foster both mental and physical health.”
Transparency
Ensuring open communication and responsible budgeting by delivering transparency in decision making and resource allocation
“T - Transparency: Ensure open communication and responsible budgeting by delivering transparency in decision making and resource allocation.”
Student Empowerment
Empowering every student with access to excellent instruction, personalized support, and an engaging curriculum that builds confidence, curiosity, and lifelong skills
“E - Empowerment: Empower every student with access to excellent instruction, personalized support, and an engaging curriculum that builds confidence, curiosity, and lifelong skills—setting them up for success.”
Workforce Preparation
Preparing students for a 21st century workforce by expanding access to career pathways, evolving technologies, innovative programs, and real-world learning experiences
“P - Preparation: Prepare students for a 21st century workforce by expanding access to career pathways, evolving technologies, innovative programs, and real-world learning experiences.”
Community Unity
Bringing together families, educators, school staff, and community stakeholders to build trust, foster inclusion, and strengthen collaboration across our school system
“U - Unity: Bring together families, educators, school staff, and community stakeholders to build trust, foster inclusion, and strengthen collaboration across our school system.”
Data-Driven Progress
Moving schools forward by making decisions driven by data, shaped by experience, and informed by the voices of our community
“P - Progress: Move our schools forward by making decisions driven by data, shaped by experience, and informed by the voices of our community.”
According to The AAPI Angle, Dr. Xu announced her candidacy at a kickoff event on August 23, 2025, noting that Howard County received the highest average ratings on the Maryland School Report Card in 2024 and was ranked as having third-best public schools nationally in 2025. The Baltimore Sun reports she will face Linda Frascarella and Mark Covington for two at-large seats on the Board of Education in the 2026 election.
“I'm running to help every student discover their path and reach their full potential. My vision is for every student in Howard County to have the support, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive, in the classroom and beyond.”
Source“While education funding has increased over the years in nominal dollars, when adjusted for inflation, local per-pupil funding has largely stagnated since FY2019. But student needs have grown.”
Source“Beyond the education space, Lanlan is active in initiatives that improve the quality of life for residents in Howard County. Currently, she serves on the AAPI Commission of Howard County.”
Source