Priority for school board remains equity, high-quality education for all

The pandemic put a spotlight on adversities families already were facing and recent actions by Anne Arundel County Public Schools caused mass confusion about school and why choices were made.

Yet this time of misinformation and divisiveness is why my run for the Board of Education is even more critical: I run into emergencies to help others and empower hope and change in those I serve no matter how dark it may seem.

I could rattle off things previously written, such as my background in law and policy on youth issues, including working with human rights activists around the world, collaborating with national experts on juvenile justice, and as a guardian ad litem advocating for kids in foster care. Or my experience in education including teaching high school, reviewing school accreditation and teacher contracts, and 34 years facilitating workshops and leadership forums.

And I stand by the fact I’m the only candidate to bring the unique perspective seeing the brilliance and inequity within the Annapolis cluster as a student and parent while attending Head Start and Annapolis public schools and now having a son at Hillsmere.

Yet recent decisions by AACPS amplified the need to have board members prioritizing kids and teachers, with decisionmaking based on facts and needs. I approach decisions based on what’s best for the most vulnerable, which strengthens the lives of everyone.

My priority remains equity and highquality education for all.

Students from lower socioeconomic families, with disabilities, or with limited English, struggle both with e-learning and access to food, shelter, and health care. Whether online or in the classroom, kids won’t learn if hungry or mentally checked out due to homelife.

We must address these inequities now, with solutions, monitor them, and hold people accountable if support isn’t there. Ensuring equity also means addressing other issues related to supporting (and respecting) teachers, safe transportation, racial awareness starting at Pre-K, and mental health support. As I said in May, the trauma of COVID-19 will not end when doors re-open.

The definition of inequity is “injustice” and “unfairness.” The decision to reopen school mid-semester, with AACPS updating the plan as parents decide on options that can be harmful, isn’t just unfair but unjust. The Board’s dismissiveness of student member Smith’s requests to review thousands of public comments and perform a needs assessment were also injustices to students and teachers.

I’m the best candidate to navigate our community needs during such difficult times. I listen to everyone of any age, get answers to all questions, stand up to adversaries, and won’t approve anything until finalized.

I have the most experience in oversight and accountability, both daily as a compliance officer and as president of six boards of directors including two-term PTA president.

I have continuously taken on leadership roles for 30-plus years that unite people to find their full potential and bring change, including as county student legislative coordinator getting laws passed and as PTA President fighting for more teachers, safe water levels, and healthy school start times.

My record shows I won’t stop fighting until all kids have the empowering, highquality education I took pride in as a student, and don’t experience harm caused by hate, bullying, and other traumatic events. I never stopped working to strengthen our schools throughout this campaign so, if elected, the difference is sitting in a different chair (with more outreach) as I unite a fractured Board while moving forward with change.

My promises as a board member are no different than promises made 35 years ago: never lie, follow through on my word, and ensure everyone in District 6 is heard.

India Ochs is a candidate for the Anne Arundel County Board of Education in District 6. She lives in Annapolis.