Editor’s note: MoCo360 is running profiles of candidates based on questionnaire answers they submitted for our voters guide.
An incumbent seeking her third term and a former countywide PTA leader making her first run for public office are the two candidates running for a District 4 seat on the Montgomery County Board of Education.
Shebra Evans and Laura Stewart are two of six candidates competing for three board seats in the Nov. 5 general election. Incumbent Lynne Harris and Rita Montoya are vying for the at-large seat and candidates Brenda Diaz and Natalie Zimmerman are competing for the District 2 seat.
School board elections are nonpartisan and board members serve four-year terms. The school board is divided into five geographic district seats, as well as the two at-large seats. To run for a district seat, candidates must live in the district they are running to represent. However, all voters in the county may vote for candidates representing each district regardless of where the voter lives.
In the District 4 race, Evans and Stewart moved on to the general election after winning the most votes out of the three candidates who ran in the May 14 primary. Stewart received 48.2% of the vote and Evans received 28.4%, beating the third candidate, conservative commentator Bethany Mandel, according to the Maryland State Board of Elections.
Early voting begins Thursday and runs through Oct. 31. Polling sites will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information on local races and coverage of election forums, check out the MoCo360 2024 Voters Guide.
Here are the at-large candidates:
Shebra Evans
City/town of residence: Silver Spring
Date of birth: November 25, 1971
Current occupation and employer: Member of Montgomery County Board of Education representing District 4
Political experience: Board of Education member since 2016
Why are you running for this office?
I’m committed to ensuring our students receive a high-quality education and believe that commitment requires a proven track record to get the job done. I have successfully collaborated with my colleagues over the years, worked with partners at the various levels of government and devoted my time locally and at the state level to address the inequities that have disadvantaged students for far too long. The race for excellence has no finish line and my commitment has me seeking re-election.
What experience (work, political or other) has prepared you to hold this office?
I was elected to the school board in November 2016. I served two consecutive terms as the board president and twice as vice president. I am chair of the board’s Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Committee and serve on the Strategic Planning and Policy Committee. At the state level, I [was] treasurer for the Maryland Association of Boards of Education, the [2023-2024] chair of MABE’s Educational Equity Committee. [Evans was elected to MABE President-Elect for the coming year]. Prior to serving on the school board, I was a passionate advocate and activist for public education serving in numerous volunteer leadership roles with Montgomery County Council of PTAs (MCCPTA) and various other workgroups. I believe my experience coupled with my leadership will be an asset.
What is the most important issue in this race? How do you plan to address it?
In my opinion, improving outcomes for students is the most important issue. The superintendent has been directed to use every board meeting to discuss how MCPS is progressing on improving outcomes for students in math and literacy for grades three, six and nine. Additionally, it will be important to further improve the communication infrastructure to build more trust and improve the ways in which families receive pertinent information.
Transparency and accountability have been particularly challenging for the school system as shown by the recent sexual harassment scandal involving a former MCPS principal. How do you plan to help the school board rebuild trust with the school community?
As mentioned in the answer above, our communication to staff, students, families and community members on important issues will be key. Also, continuous implementation of the recommendations from the Inspector General for the Department of Compliance and Investigation with regular community updates on the progress of implementation prior to the regular updates to the office of the Inspector General.
Do you have a child in the school system? What school do/did they attend and what grade?
Our oldest daughter is a graduate of MCPS. Our youngest daughter [was] enrolled at John F. Kennedy High School in Silver Spring as a senior, [graduated June 2024].
Are you an MCPS alumnus?
I grew up and attended school in the Midwest. My husband and I purposely chose Montgomery County as our place of residence because of the premier public school system.
Laura M. Stewart
City/town of residence: Silver Spring
Date of birth: Feb. 18, 1971
Current occupation and employer: full-time volunteer
Political experience: [former] local PTA president and county/state advocacy vice president, former Montgomery County Women’s Democratic Club president, Democratic precinct chair, campaign volunteer
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 the 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 Boarddocs.
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 and Takoma Park Middle School and graduated from the Richard Montgomery High School International Baccalaureate program in 2019. He graduated from the 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 and Sligo Middle School and graduated from the Albert Einstein High School Visual Arts Center in 2023. He is currently attending the 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?
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.
