Education
As a graduate of Ashburton Elementary, Tilden Intermediate, and Walter Johnson High School (1994), I understand the value of our first-class education system. As a current parent at Wood Acres Elementary, I also understand the challenges facing our schools today.
I am proud to be the only candidate for the vacant delegate seat recommended by Montgomery County's educators.
Ariana's Education Priorities:
End Overcrowding
Here in District 16, an influx of young families is placing stress on our educational infrastructure and overcrowding the schools. We must invest in school construction and expansion, and work to eliminate portables and reduce class sizes.
Expand Access to Preschool & Childcare
Parents know that high quality early learning programs are critical for school readiness. We must move towards universal pre-K. The upfront cost of expanding voluntary Pre-K in accordance with Maryland's Pre-K for All Business Plan would be saved many times over in other educational and social costs. I also support expanding access to quality, affordable childcare and afterschool programs for working families.
Protect Education Funding
As our state faces tough budget choices, it is essential that we do everything in our power to protect education funding from the ups and downs of the business cycle. Stability is critical to ensuring that all Marylanders have access to the opportunities they deserve, no matter when they happen to start kindergarten, graduate from high school, or go to college. Indeed, it is in recessions that the needs are highest. Household finances are strained, and laid off workers need retraining for the economy of the future.
Maintaining education funding is not just the best social policy, but also the best fiscal policy. If our tax revenues are to keep up with our needs, we must continue to attract and retain high-income professionals and keep property values stable or rising. Deep cuts to education will tip us into a vicious cycle in which deteriorating schools lead to declining property values and out-migration of high-income taxpayers, which leads to further declines in revenue and more cuts. This is what happened to California after Proposition 13 led to devastating declines in relative school funding levels. Would California be in its current crisis if it still had the best schools in the country?
Advocate for Parents and Teachers
As a current MCPS parent, I will advocate for parents, students, and teachers in Annapolis, and work to keep our schools the best in the nation, and getting even better.
