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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 raceMaria Carrasco is a public health practitioner, researcher, and educator with more than 20 years of experience leading complex public health initiatives across government, academia, and the nonprofit sector. She holds a BA in Economics from Truman State, an MPP from Duke, and both an MPH and PhD from Johns Hopkins. Currently she leads a consulting practice and teaches a graduate course at Johns Hopkins where for eight years she has helped students connect evidence to decisions leaders face. She is also helping build a small organic farm business in Frederick County while serving as a longtime resident, parent, volunteer at her daughter's elementary school, church member, and Board of Education Citizens Advisory Council participant. As an academic editor for a scientific journal, she maintains rigorous evidence-based grounding. She applied to serve on the BOE last year but was not selected; now she is running to bring her skills home to strengthen student outcomes, support educators, and ensure every school delivers for every family.
Sources: Campaign website
"I believe a good public education is one of the most powerful pathways for students to reach their potential and build happy, fulfilling lives."
"FCPS will prioritize measurable growth in reading and math for every student."
"Bullying has no place in our schools—online or in person—and families deserve confidence that concerns will be taken seriously, handled consistently, and followed by clear next steps."
"I want a school system where families know exactly where to look, what matters most, and what steps to take next."
Source: maria4boe.com
Student Outcomes
Focus on measurable growth in reading and math for every student rather than school-by-school variation, with plain-language progress updates tied to achievement goals so families can see what's working and fix what isn't.
“"Every child deserves a strong start and a real path forward—grounded in reading, math, and year-to-year growth. FCPS is a strong system compared to other counties in Maryland and there has been some improvement in learning outcomes, but the data show we still have work to do: in 2025 only about 6 in 10 FCPS elementary and middle school students scored proficient or distinguished in English/Language Arts (ELA) on the state assessment in recent results. Scores for math and ELA are lower for Latinos, African Americans, multi-lingual learners, and students with disabilities. As a Board member, I will prioritize improving outcomes and ensuring student centered learning. I will require plain-language, school-by-school progress updates tied to achievement goals so that we can see what's working, fix what isn't, and accelerate results for the students who need it most."”
Safe Schools
Ensure safe learning environments through consistently applied anti-bullying policies and long-range capacity planning to address overcrowding issues like those at Oakdale Elementary.
“"Safe schools are spaces where students can focus and adults can teach. This takes two things: consistent expectations for behavior and bullying and enough space to support students well. Bullying has no place in our schools—online or in person—and families deserve confidence that concerns will be taken seriously, handled consistently, and followed by clear next steps. Overcrowding makes everything harder: transitions take longer, supervision gets tougher, and instruction time gets squeezed. In parts of Frederick County, this strain is real—Oakdale Elementary has been reported at roughly 170% of capacity , relying heavily on portables, and FCPS is fast-tracking Elementary School #41 (now Linganore Creek Elementary) to relieve crowding. As a Board member, I will insist on clear, consistently applied policies on bullying and support ongoing transparent long-range capacity planning so families can see how FCPS will reduce overcrowding and protect safe, orderly learning environments."”
Family Navigation
Improve parent navigation with simple, user-friendly tools so all parents can access the supports their children need, especially for families navigating IEPs/504 plans, multilingual families, and those balancing work or limited internet access.
“"Parents are essential partners in our school system. Families should not need an insider's guide to navigate FCPS. The challenge is not a lack of information. In many cases, it is the opposite. There are so many emails, apps, websites, and systems that important information can easily get lost in the noise. It is good that these resources exist, but for many parents the system can still feel overwhelming. That is especially true for families navigating IEPs and 504 plans, multilingual families, and families balancing work, transportation, caregiving responsibilities, or limited internet access. Trust grows when families can quickly find what they need and see that the system works for every community, including parents whose time and bandwidth are limited. I want a school system where families know exactly where to look, what matters most, and what steps to take next. That means clearer communication, parent-friendly tools, and simpler navigation."”
Educator Investment
Invest in teacher retention and school stability so every classroom has a dedicated, supported professional, protecting learning time and building consistent school culture.
“"Students thrive when great teachers and staff stay—and when schools are stable, supported places to do the work. Investing in educators means valuing their time, strengthening the teams that support students every day, and creating conditions where teaching is sustainable and joyful. When we retain strong educators, we protect learning time, build consistent school culture, and give every student—especially the most vulnerable—the steady support they need to succeed. As a board member I will make investing in educators and staff a priority."”
Maria Carrasco participated in a Frederick County Board of Education candidates forum hosted by Better Maryland Schools on March 12, 2026 at C. Burr Artz Public Library alongside seven other candidates including current board president Dean Rose. During the forum she addressed controversial topics about parental rights, school budget questions and academic standards with strong disagreement among candidates. When asked if FCPS is doing well academically, Carrasco stated that while "FCPS has a lot to be proud of," the numbers presented by BMS "tell us that we can be doing better." She was one of eight of 14 total race candidates who attended the forum.
“"I believe a good public education is one of the most powerful pathways for students to reach their potential and build happy, fulfilling lives."”
Source“"FCPS will prioritize measurable growth in reading and math for every student."”
Source“"Bullying has no place in our schools—online or in person—and families deserve confidence that concerns will be taken seriously, handled consistently, and followed by clear next steps."”
Source