Howard County School Board Election 2024: Meet Julie Kaplan

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Residents will vote this fall to elect new members of the Howard County Board of Education. Patch invited each candidate running for a seat on the school board to complete a questionnaire about their campaign priorities, their views and themselves. Below you'll find the unedited, verbatim responses from Julie Kaplan, candidate for HCPSS Board of Education District 4.

Early voting runs from Oct. 24 through Oct. 31 and Election Day is Nov. 5. More information about voting locations, registration, mail-in ballots and dropbox ballots is posted here.

The Howard County Board of Education consists of seven members elected to four-year terms. Five members are elected by district and two members are elected at large. Here are the people who filed for candidacy with the State Board of Elections for the Howard County Board of Education.

District 1
Andre Gao, Ellicott City
Meg Ricks, Ellicott City

District 2
Larry Doyle, Columbia
Antonia Watts, Elkridge

District 3
Jolene Mosley, Columbia

District 4
Julie Kaplan, Fulton
Jen Mallo, Columbia

District 5
Andrea Chamblee, Clarksville
Trent Kittleman, West Friendship

What is your name? Julie Kaplan

What position are you running for? HCPSS Board of Education District 4

What ways can people contact you with questions? juliekaplanforboedistrict4@gmail.com

Campaign website? https://www.vote4juliekaplan.com/

Age as of election day? 52

Place of residence? Fulton, MD

Family members? Ira Kaplan (Husband), Aaron Kaplan (son), Jacob Kaplan (son)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

Education? MBA, University of Maryland, BA Economics University of Maryland

Occupation? Marketing Executive

Previously held elected or appointed political positions? NA

Why are you running for office? Howard County is on the brink of necessary transformation, requiring leadership that prioritizes objectivity, practicality, and fiscal responsibility. Professionally, I'm the leader companies call upon when they are ready to level up—that is what District 4 families seek to navigate the future successfully.

What are your top 3 priorities? Academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, and safety.

What do you believe is the most important issue facing the school board? The most pressing issue facing our school board is ensuring that every student receives a quality education that prepares them for future success. To achieve this, we must return to evidence-based teaching methods and address the learning gaps widened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

If elected, I would prioritize policies that directly support academic success. This includes:

• Reducing the administrative burden on teachers, allowing them to focus more on instruction.
• Restoring evidence-based curriculum like The Science of Learning.
• Lower the student-to-teacher ratio, enabling more personalized learning and helping to close achievement gaps.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
Redistricting
My approach to redistricting prioritizes keeping communities together, reducing commute times, and preserving Title I schools. I advocate for drawing school boundaries that minimize disruption, protect critical resources for low-income students, and maintain community cohesion. Unlike gerrymandered districts, which have no proven impact on improving educational outcomes here in Howard County, this approach ensures stability and fairness for all families, aligning with the core values of our district.
Organized Student Expression (aka walk-outs)
I am committed to ending the divisiveness and politicization of students within our schools. I advocate for policies that prioritize student well-being and create a safe, inclusive learning environment. In a time of increasing political polarization, students need a reprieve to focus on their education. For instance, I believe that the school walk-out policy should be clear and fair, allowing only expressions that unite students and cause no harm to others. By ensuring that any organized expression is reviewed for its potential impact and restricting divisive actions, this approach fosters civic engagement while maintaining a respectful and supportive school environment.
Administrative Burdens
I recognize that educators are overburdened by an increasing number of non-instructional tasks, which, while important, are overwhelming in volume. It's essential to partner with educators to identify and reduce these tasks, allowing them to focus on what they love and do best—teaching. By streamlining responsibilities and cutting down on administrative burdens, we can empower educators to dedicate more time and energy to their students, ultimately enhancing the quality of education in our schools.
Class size
I advocate for reducing class sizes. With teachers working to close the educational gaps created by COVID, address inappropriate cell phone use, and manage behavioral issues, class sizes must be kept at a level where teachers can effectively support each student. By prioritizing the reduction of class sizes, we can provide students with the focused attention they need to thrive and create a more positive and productive learning environment for everyone.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?
Here’s what I’d like to see improved:

• Recent findings from an HCEA study indicate that only 30% of teachers trust the Board of Education—an alarming statistic that underscores the need for significant change. To restore this trust, the Board must actively listen to and collaborate with teachers to develop solutions that enhance their working conditions and professional satisfaction. By integrating educators' insights and experiences directly into our policy-making process, we will foster a climate of trust and cooperation that enhances the entire educational ecosystem.
• The teacher to student ratio continues to increase when there are fiscal challenges. I advocate for smaller classes.
• Redistricting that minimizes disruption to families and communities. There is no evidence that the gerrymandered districts improve educational outcomes here in Howard County.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform. What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job? My experience in high-stress, budget constrained, transformational environments provide skills necessary to help level-up HCPSS.

How will you handle LGBTQ+ and racial issues brought before the school board? I’d advocate for evidence-based policies that provide a quality education in a nurturing and supportive learning environment that every HCPSS student deserves.

How will you handle book-banning issues brought before the school board? I believe that decisions about which books belong in school libraries should primarily be made by educators and librarians, who are trained professionals with the expertise to evaluate educational materials. They understand the developmental needs of students and can assess the appropriateness of content based on educational value, age suitability, and community standards.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions? My approach is non-partisan; I believe in making decisions based on what's best for our children and our community. As an Independent candidate, I am not beholden to any political party or hidden agenda. My sole commitment is to the well-being and education of our children. This independence allows me to make unbiased decisions that truly reflect the best interests of Howard County students, teachers, and the community at large.