Olney man is first to file for ’08 school board race

Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007

Olney man is first to file for ’08 school board race

by Marcus Moore | Staff Writer

E-mail this article \ Print this article

Philip Kauffman wants more parent involvement during school board meetings, an emphasis on implementing the middle school reform policy systemwide and tougher fiscal accountability if he is elected to an at-large seat on the school board next year.

Kauffman, 54, is the first person so far to file for a seat on the school board, according to the county Board of Elections.

This summer, Sharon W. Cox (At-large) of Germantown, who has served seven years on the school board, said she would not seek re-election. Board members Stephen N. Abrams (Dist. 2) of Rockville and Christopher S. Barclay (Dist. 4) of Takoma Park — whose terms also end in December 2008 — have said they plan to run next year.

Kauffman cites the need to continue the rollout of middle school reform, talking more with parents and more scrutiny on how budget dollars are spent.

‘‘We need to provide the supports these children need to be successful,” he wrote in his statement for candidacy. ‘‘And we must do all of these things while, at the same time, making sure that our budget remains fiscally sound.”

Kauffman, a lawyer with years of PTA experience, has lived in the county for 20 years. Last year, he ran unsuccessfully for the District 5 seat now held by school board President Nancy Navarro.

‘‘As a member of the Board of Education, I intend to put to good use the PTA experience I’ve gained by serving in various MCCPTA leadership positions over the last 13 years,” Kauffman write. ‘‘Because I value the input of all stakeholders, I will listen to students, parents and MCPS staff concerns and seek their advice throughout the course of the campaign and during my service on the board.”

Kauffman has been an area vice president for the Sherwood⁄Northeast Consortium, Blake cluster coordinator and PTA president of Farquhar Middle School. Last year, he was chairman of the Montgomery County Council of PTAs’ high school committee.

‘‘I guess I had the bug,” Kauffman said Monday of his decision to run for the board. ‘‘I know what the expectations are.”

Philip Kauffman

Board of Education, At-Large

56, Olney

Experience: Deputy assistant general counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (1980-present); Montgomery County Councils of PTAs; co-area vice president, Sherwood⁄Northeast Consortium (2004-2007); chairman, MCCPTA High School Committee (2007); member, MCCPTA Grading and Reporting Committee (2004-2006); James Hubert Blake Cluster co-coordinator (2002-2004); Farquhar Middle School PTA president (2000-2002)

Top issues: Implementing middle school reform systemwide, improving parent involvement, improving fiscal accountability