Contenders for Red Bud District focus on mending budget woes

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By Alex Bridges -- abridges@nvdaily.com

WINCHESTER -- Tackling budget woes is a top priority for candidates seeking the Red Bud District seat on the Frederick County School Board.

Mary M. "Peggy" Clark and David W. Glander are vying for the seat currently held by member Richard E. Howett, who opted not to run for re-election but rather to seek the Red Bud District supervisor seat.

Clark, 60, of 114 Evette Place, is a retired teacher who worked for 15 years in the Northwestern Regional Education Program for Frederick County. Clark has no previous political experience. She has two sons and two stepdaughters and lives with her husband, Basil, a retired U.S. government employee.

Glander, 41, of 118 Carter Place, owns Integrity Contracting Va., a home improvement business. Glander has no prior political experience. He and his wife, Leisa, an employee at Millbrook High School, have two children who attend the school.

Asked what she feels the district and the county need in a board member, Clark cited her experience working for the education system, her knowledge of the area and schools in which she has worked.

"I was able to dispel a lot of rumors and give a lot of information to people who have questions about the opening of [Greenwood Elementary and Senseny Road schools] this fall, which proved to be a very interesting time," Clark said.

Glander said he brings "a fresh perspective" to the board, with a military background and business experience.

"They need someone who can work with the existing members as a team player," Glander said. "They need somebody who can work with the board of supervisors, that can see things from the board of supervisors' position, from the school board position and from a parental position."

Dealing with budget constraints remains a priority for both candidates.

"Keeping salary at a fair level that people can afford to live here and support their families should be a huge priority as does class size," Clark said. "My biggest priority is to allow teachers to teach, to do the job that they are trained to do, to get the best-trained teachers that we can get here and have them do what they are excellent at doing."

Glander said he has some ideas he would like to present to the board if elected, but added that he doesn't have a specific agenda.

"I believe our school systems were designed to give our children an opportunity for education, and as a school board member that is what I would like to see in place," Glander said.

Also in the School Board races, Melvin S. "Jim" Harmon Jr. and John J. Lamanna are running unopposed for re-election to their seats representing the Stonewall and Shawnee districts, respectively.

Election Day is Tuesday.