Maria Carrasco for Frederick County Board of Education Candidate for BOE
1) Improving student outcomes
2) Safe, respectful, uncrowded schools
3) A school system families can navigate
4) Real investment in our educators
1) Improving student outcomes
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 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.
2) Safe, respectful, uncrowded schools
3) A school system families can navigate
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. As a Board member, I will push for a more accessible and navigable family experience so parents can find supports, understand policies, locate school report cards and key information, and engage with confidence instead of getting lost in the maze.
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.