Two candidates file for Baltimore County school board seat in District 1

Candice Logan-Washington and Lisa A. Mack are running for the Baltimore County Board of Education seat in District 1. The position carries the power to set policy, hire the superintendent, and approve the district budget. Both candidates filed their platforms with the board on October 29.

Logan-Washington is 45 years old and holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Morgan State University. She served in district leadership roles at Baltimore County Public Schools from 2013 to 2022. Her prior work includes 18 years as a teacher, including time at Woodlawn High School. She also taught as adjunct faculty at Morgan State University until 2024. Logan-Washington is currently a director at Thread, Inc. and serves as a caregiver for her aging parents.

Her platform supports the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. She argues the state plan strengthens academics and expands access to opportunity. She specifically backs the expansion of community schools and high-quality early childhood education. She says districts must use data to monitor if these investments are working.

Logan-Washington supports reasonable limits on student cellphones during instruction. She believes policies should distinguish between personal device use and purposeful instructional technology. She opposes a single fixed screen time limit for all students. Instead, she says schools should consider the child’s age and the specific purpose of the technology.

Mack is 68 years old and holds a master’s degree in management from Notre Dame of Maryland University. She served on the board of education from 2018 to 2022. She worked at Verizon from 1979 to 2007. She is a licensed foster parent and a court appointed special advocate.

Mack addressed the state’s low math test scores in her filing. She said improving achievement requires a high-quality, research-based curriculum. She emphasized investing in teacher professional development to identify misconceptions. She wants districts to strengthen articulation with colleges so K-12 educators understand postsecondary standards. She stated that students need mastery experiences to build confidence.

Regarding declining enrollment, Mack said school closures should not be based on numbers alone. She listed academic programming, building utilization, and equity as factors to consider. She proposed shared staffing models and specialized programs to keep communities together. She said families return to public schools when they trust the quality of the education and believe their children will be supported.

Both candidates addressed the selection of library books. Logan-Washington said parents should have a meaningful voice in the process. She supported maintaining transparent selection processes guided by educational standards and intellectual freedom. She said parents have the right to request exemptions or alternative materials if they believe specific content affects their child’s well-being.