Michael Ibañez

Office Sought: Montgomery County Board of Education, District 1
Age: 47
Residence: Gaithersburg/Montgomery Village.
Education: BA, education, U-Md.; MA, education, Loyola Marymount University; PhD candidate, Catholic University.
Occupation: Teacher, Washington Archdiocese; military service, 9th Infantry Division, I Corps, U.S. Army; former MCPS teacher.
Web site: None given.
E-mail address: michaelibanez@aol.com

Elected offices/civic activities:

Member, Parish Council, St. Peter's Parish; parish finance committee, St. Alphonsus; youth minister, South Central Los Angeles Maria Regina Parish; youth minister, Wheaton, St. Catherine Laboure; principal, East Los Angeles St. Alphonsus School; crisis ce

Why should voters elect you?

"Parents, teachers and principals should have more local control over school decisions that impact their children's lives. If elected, parents, teachers, principals and children win."

What do you think is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction?

"Forty-two percent of black students and 48 percent of Hispanic students read at a basic level when they reach high school. Board member Patricia O'Neill was recently quoted saying she fears students might not pass mandatory state high school exams required for a high school diploma. The Board of Education was warned about this problem years ago but is only now getting serious about helping these students through intensive reading instruction. Also, with gang activity and violence rising, the safety and security of schools, children, teachers, staff and parents — before, during and after school — has a high priority."

-- The Washington Post | Submit a correction request.

Back to the Race: Montgomery County Board of Education, District 1