Silver Spring woman running for school board

Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007

Silver Spring woman running for school board

Alies Muskin says the many years of PTA experience qualify her for the school board’s at-large seat

by Marcus Moore | Staff Writer

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Alies Muskin wants more individual interventions for middle school and high school students, improved social supports in schools, and better outreach to parents and community activists if she is elected next year to an at-large seat on the nonpartisan school board.

Three seats are up for election next year. Sharon W. Cox (At-large) of Germantown, with seven years on the school board, is not seeking re-election. Christopher S. Barclay (Dist. 4) of Takoma Park and Stephen N. Abrams (Dist. 2) of Rockville — whose terms end in December 2008 — are running next year. So far, Barclay has no challenger; Laura Berthiaume of Rockville is running for the District 2 seat.

Muskin, 51, filed her candidacy last month, according to the county Board of Elections. Olney resident Philip Kauffman and Silver Spring resident Rob Seubert are also running for the at-large seat.

Muskin, a former president of the Albert Einstein High School PTA and coordinator of the Einstein cluster, was one of five finalists interviewed for the District 4 seat vacated by Valerie Ervin, who resigned last year after winning a seat on the County Council. Barclay was appointed to serve out Ervin’s term.

Years of experience in PTAs and on various school system workgroups qualify her for the board, Muskin said.

‘‘I think it’s a natural continuation of my activities,” she said.

An eight-year breast cancer survivor, Muskin lives in Silver Spring with her husband, Alfie Rosenberger, a physical anthropologist and college professor. She said she wants to ensure that all of the county’s children have the opportunity to achieve.

‘‘Every child in our county should leave being literate and have the skills to succeed at the next level,” Muskin said.

Muskin is the chief operating officer of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America in Silver Spring. Last year, she was president of the Albert Einstein High School PTA. Muskin has also served six terms as Einstein cluster coordinator and area vice president for the Blair, Einstein, Kennedy and Northwood clusters. She was chairwoman of the county council of PTAs High School Committee and founded the Einstein College Fair, which is now in its eighth year.

Election 2008

Alies Muskin

Board of Education, At-large

51, Silver Spring

Experience: Montgomery County Public Schools’ High School Plus Workgroup (present); Einstein Cluster coordinator (1999-2004; 2005-2007); Albert Einstein High School PTA president (2005-2006); chairwoman, Montgomery County Council of PTAs High School Committee (2004-2006); Committee to Develop the Downcounty Consortium (2000-2003)

Professional experience: Chief operating officer, Anxiety Disorders Association of America; director of membership and marketing, Adhesive & Sealant Council and ASC Education Foundation; marketing and communications membership director, American Association of Dental Schools; science writer, American Dental Association; marketing specialist, American Dental Association

Top issues: Designing interventions that focus on middle school and high school achievement, improving the developmental and social supports provided in schools, encouraging student achievement through parent and community outreach