Laura M Stewart

City/town of residence: Silver Spring

Date of birth: Feb. 18, 1971

Current occupation and employer: full-time volunteer

Political experience: Local PTA president and county/state advocacy vice president, former Montgomery County Women’s Democratic Club president, Democratic precinct chair, campaign volunteer

Website: LauraStewart.org

Email: Laura@LauraStewart.org

Social media links (Facebook, Instagram, X, etc.): X: @LauraStewartBOE

Instagram, threads: @stewart.laura
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556752623209&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Why are you running for this office?

This is a precarious time in our county. I will bring my vast advocacy experience with accountability and transparency to the board to ensure that we use our limited resources most effectively to best educate and support our kids. I have spent many hours listening to school communities and fellow advocates about possible solutions on providing equitable pathways, addressing the opportunity gap, and better engaging all kids. The board should also focus on supporting educators and administrators so that they have the tools to deliver the best education. I am ready to do the work from day one.

What experience (work, political or other) has prepared you to hold this office?

I’m a mom with two recent MCPS graduates and have been in PTA and other children’s advocacy leadership positions at the local, county, and state level for over a decade. I’ve rebuilt organizations after controversy while developing productive relationships with decision makers at every level of government. My advocacy has led to initiatives like the Safe School Drinking Water Act, funding for school construction, and increased wraparound services to address family needs. My previous work experience includes telecommunication support for government markets and teaching music lessons. I come from a customer-service mindset and will bring that to the board.

What is the most important issue in this race? How do you plan to address it?

My priority is addressing students’ basic needs so they can reach their potential—whether those needs are educational, physical, or emotional. To improve outcomes, MCPS must reform systems and structure from the top down. For example, Human Resources has failed to provide a safe environment for employees, which in turn affects our classrooms. I would also suggest family and student navigators to help break through MCPS bureaucracy. Also, needs assessments should be performed across all schools so that resources are targeted appropriately. We should triage by focusing resources on third grade literacy in order to set up kids for success.

Transparency and accountability have been particularly challenging for the school system as shown by the recent sexual harassment scandal involving a former principal. How do you plan to help the school board rebuild trust with the school community?

I would encourage the superintendent and the Board of Education to get out of central office and do town halls in the communities they serve in order to reconnect with families. The board should commit to providing open data, building on the one spreadsheet they released after many years of advocacy. The budget should also be broken down so that the public can see where contracts, contractors, and temporary part-time workers on special assignments in the central office are budgeted. All memos, presentations, and answers to board questions should be posted and easily seen on Boardocs.

Do you have a child in the school system? What school do/did they attend and what grade?

I have two children that are MCPS graduates. My eldest child attended Woodlin Elementary School, Oakview Elementary School, Takoma Park Middle School, and graduated from the Richard Montgomery High School International Baccalaureate program in 2019. He graduated from University of Maryland with an engineering degree in 2023 and is now a research fellow at the University of Washington. My youngest attended Woodlin Elementary School, Sligo Middle School and graduated from the Albert Einstein High School Visual Arts Center in 2023. He is currently attending University of Maryland Baltimore County studying computer game development. My children have benefited from special programs and I would like to expand those opportunities.

Are you an MCPS alumnus? Which school(s) did you attend? What year?

I’m a 1989 Bowie High School alumnus from Prince George’s County. I then attended the University of Maryland and Prince George’s Community College. I received my associate’s degree in paralegal studies from Prince George’s Community College in 1996.