Candidate Survey: Domenic Giandomenico for Montgomery County Board of Education, At-Large
TheDuckpin.com Candidate Survey
Name *
Domenic Giandomenico
Age *
41
Office Sought *
Board of Education
County *
Montgomery
District, if applicable *
At-Large
Political Party *
Independent
Education *
BA-American University, Political Science (minor Literature)
Career/Occupation *
Public Policy
Political Experience *
I've been working in the field since 2002.
Social Media Accounts *
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @DomforMoCo
Website *
Why are you running for office? *
After working in education policy for nearly 20 years, I've spent the last few as a stay-at-home dad for my kids, Phoebe (3 years old) and Jake (4 months). Phoebe has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, and we've been working with MCPS for a little while now. Their Infants and Toddlers program trained me to provide therapy for her until she was old enough to enter their PEP pre-school program for children with identified disabilities. In working with the school system, I found amazing teachers, para-educators, specialists, bus drivers, and therapists. But I also saw something else pretty quickly, too: I found a system that was an absolute nightmare to navigate. In ways both good and bad, our county's school system was exactly the kind of place that I’d written and spoken about for years. It has become crystal clear that MCPS needs modernization, vastly improved communication to and with parents, and more options for students to meet them where their needs are. We are the 19th-wealthiest county in the nation. If every single one of our kids can’t get the education and the opportunity to succeed that they deserve, then what are we even doing here?
Who do you consider your political role model, and why? *
George Washington, because he was offered complete power and authority over a young nation, and he declined it. Our nation's experiment with democracy could have been extremely brief if it weren't for his wisdom and humility.
What is your favorite book about politics and policy, and why? *
I've always appreciated how accessible Animal Farm is for younger audiences. It does such a phenomenal job of illustrating exactly how government systems of all kind can devolve into tyrannies.
What will be your top priority in office? *
As we eventually move past the pandemic and back into "normal" life, we in the education system have to be acutely aware that our kids are probably not where they need to be academically. Students from vulnerable communities will certainly be left even further behind, as they lack resources for private supplemental instruction. It's safe to say that even our best and brightest students are going to need a little more from MCPS in the years to come. As a system, we're going to be playing catch up with our kids' future on the line. That's a challenge that we have to meet single-mindedly, putting the needs of our students above all else. Rising to the challenge is going to require meaningful parental engagement and improving the district's communication with the community.
What is the biggest issue facing your area? *
Schools are facing major problems with staffing, just like seemingly everyone else right now. They've been dealing with serious stress for quite a while, and burnout seems to be rampant among teachers. We have shortages of bus drivers, substitute teachers, and more. Short-term, we have to do a better job of listening to what teachers need, in terms of support and compensation. Long-term, we need to consider teacher recruitment and retention a top priority. This is a highly competitive area for education talent, and we have to make sure that MCPS is drawing the best teachers possible for every single one of our students.
What are the three biggest issues facing Maryland? *
1) I think the rural-urban divide is the biggest issue nationally, and Maryland is quite the microcosm of that. Just from a policy standpoint, communities in Baltimore and the DMV have very different needs and problems what's experienced in Cumberland and Waldorf, for example. Even within Montgomery County, we have different needs in different parts of the sprawling jurisdiction. Whether it's cultural or economical, we have to do a much better job of identifying community needs throughout the state. 2) Education is a major concern for Maryland right now. We have to assume most of our kids aren't where they would be if Covid didn't happen. Students of color, students with disabilities, and rural students are going to be disproportionately impacted, yet again, by major gaps in technology, infrastructure, and school staffing. Getting these kids back on track to be successful in their lives has to be our top priority. 3) Restoring public trust in government--including schools and police--is vitally important for Maryland moving forward. There's been so much corruption and abuse of power at all levels of government that it's tough for any of us to feel like we're getting treated fairly and equitably. Elected officials and government employees alike have to live to a higher standard, not a lower one.
What is your position on life issues? (abortion, assisted suicide) *
I don't believe it is the role or responsibility of the government to legislate personal morality. As long as it's not a public health or safety concern, people should be free to make the right choices for themselves and their families without government interference.
What is your position on taxes and spending? *
Being a good steward of taxpayer money is one of the most important aspects of being a public official. We need to make smart investments as a community--such as in our schools and roads, but we have to be careful to do so responsibly. Given the overall wealth of Montgomery County, it shouldn't be difficult to do so without overly burdening people trying to make ends meet.
What is your position on gun rights? *
They have no place in schools, except in the hands of highly-trained professionals.
What is your position on the legalization of marijuana? *
I support marijuana legalization. I am a medical marijuana patient, and I use it to alleviate chronic pain, depression, and anxiety stemming from Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
What is your position on the current three-tiered system for the sale and distribution of alcohol? *
It's in desperate need of simplification and modernization.
What is your position on land use, growth, and development? *
When there isn't an adequate plan in place for growth and development, you wind up with overcrowding at schools. We're seeing this in MCPS right now, with Clarksburg Elementary starting the school year at more than double its capacity. We have to make sure that our schools and public services are taken into account when we consider any such plans. (https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/education/montgomery-county-parents-concerned-about-overcrowding-at-clarksburg-elementary/65-4f38b307-a78e-44ad-b6f2-8a620a6e2750)
What is your position on crime and public safety? *
Without trust, there is no system. Regardless of whether or not you think it's justified, I think it's safe to say that distrust is rampant, and consent of the governed has to be re-established. We clearly need law enforcement to protect us, and our schools. We just recently had a school shooting in our own county. But when they cross the line, like they did at East Silver Spring Elementary with a 5-year-old boy, it betrays the public trust and undermines everything we hope to accomplish. All government employees--including police and education officials--have to live and abide by a higher standard. They are inherently in positions of power over vulnerable citizens. These are tough jobs, and we do need to compensate and value their contributions to our community appropriately. The vast majority of people working in our government are good, patriotic men and women. But they are still humans, fully capable of horrible mistakes, poor judgment, and sometimes, ill-intent. It's our job as leaders to walk that fine line between public accountability and stifling control over our public servants. (https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/schools/two-years-after-police-berated-5-year-old-boy-some-county-officials-want-to-settle-familys-lawsuit/)
What is your position on county tax caps? *
It seems short-sighted to limit the ability to raise revenue. Unforeseen circumstances, such as pandemics, can cause major budgetary ripples. Any kind of arbitrary limitation is such a situation just makes government response slower and more incompetent.
Was Joe Biden legitimately elected President of the United States in the November 2020 Election? *
Yes
Do you pledge to accept the results of your election? *
Yes