Lisa A. Mack
Running for school board in Baltimore County District 1
Email: lisa.mack@verizon.net
Facebook: www.facebook.com/people/Lisa-A-Mack-for-Board-of-Education/61593265080928/
How old will you be on Election Day (Nov. 3)?
68
Are you currently employed? If so, where, and what is your job title?
I retired from Verizon but work part time at Johns Hopkins Hospital as a standardized patient, where I teach medical students how to effectively communicate with patients. Later in October, I will start teaching physical exam maneuvers to students.
What is the highest level of education that you completed, and where did you get that degree?
M.A. from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland
Why are you running for the school board?
I previously served on the school board but left four months early due to serious illness. I am running for the school board again because I have recovered and I know from personal experience that education is the great equalizer. I grew up poor and not much was expected from the kids in my neighborhood. In spite of low expectations, most of the people with whom I went to school received a solid educational foundation, which helped us break the cycle of poverty. After retiring from Verizon, I began to teach at Community College of Baltimore County and was horrified that many of the high school graduates in my class could not read. That discovery led me to look at Baltimore County Public Schools data and policies to figure out why high school graduates were able to graduate when they couldn't read. I then reached out to teachers I know to understand what was going on. Essentially, everybody passed even if they lacked the most basic skills to succeed in career, college or life. Through my volunteer work as a Court Appointed Special Advocate and a licensed foster parent, I know that many kids have a rough start in life. Being well and truly educated could allow them to build a much better life for themselves.
What makes you a good candidate for the board?
I previously served on the school board and am known for being very well prepared, knowledgeable, relentless in my pursuit of the truth and improvement and for my consistent focus on improving literacy skills in students, because if students can't read, they can't do math word problems and can't access history, science, etc. I was the chair of the Curriculum and Audit Committees and served on the Policy Review and Budget Committees. I taught English at Community College of Baltimore County, so I have insights into the educational challenges students face when unprepared. I have no political agenda or associations, so any vote I take on any issue is a vote that I have thoroughly researched and evaluated for how it impacts students. I am accessible and still maintain a teacher advisory board even though I have not been a school board member for four years.
What is the most important issue facing your school board and what would you do about it if elected?
The lack of educational outcomes/foundation skills is the most important issue facing the Baltimore County Board of Education today. Baltimore County trailed the state in all MCAP measures, which is unacceptable. Fewer than 5% of Baltimore County Public Schools' 7th and 8th graders could demonstrate proficiency in math on the 2026 MCAP. When students are not adequately prepared, they may struggle in life. A big part of a board member's job is to ensure that budget dolIars are allocated appropriately. To increase proficiency rates, I would ensure smaller class sizes, the purchase of proven curriculum and adequate staffing of classrooms and school houses. Every child who needs an AA should have one, and teachers need enough resources to adequately differentiate lessons. I will also ensure that schools have adequate professionals, like occupational therapists, physical therapists, counselors, social workers, nurses and school psychologists, to help students with the myriad of problems that get in the way of learning.
Please name a public leader you admire and explain why.
I admire Kareem Weaver, an educational advocate, because he used his daughter's struggle with dyslexia to create a literacy movement that has increased awareness of the need for explicit reading instruction. For many years, schools have used unsuccessful reading programs like the three-cueing method, balanced literacy and whole language to teach reading. Struggling readers need explicit instruction, and Weaver keeps hammering that message.
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, passed by the General Assembly in 2021, is a 10-year plan that includes increased funding to support early childhood education, higher teacher starting pay, college/career-readiness standards for high school graduates, and expanded services to multilingual and impoverished families, among other goals. Since the Blueprint's implementation, test scores have increased modestly in many parts of the state, but some school officials complain about the costs and administrative burdens placed on them by the Blueprint. Please tell us your views on the Blueprint and how it is affecting your school district.
There are many parts of the Blueprint that I fully support including, but not limited to, higher teacher pay, National Board Certification opportunities and expanded services to our most vulnerable students. I do have concerns about the developmental appropriateness of full-day pre-K for three and four-year-olds, but I understand the intent of this pillar of the Blueprint. However, I am concerned that, in its present form, the Blueprint may not be financially sustainable.
Chronic absenteeism has been a problem in many schools since the Covid-19 pandemic. How big of a problem is absenteeism in your school district, and what if anything can the Board of Education do about it?
Four years ago, Baltimore County Public Schools implemented its "Here For It" attendance campaign. As a result, in 2024, Baltimore County Public Schools had the largest percentage decrease in chronic absenteeism at nearly 6.3%. However, even with those improvements, as reported on the Maryland Report Card, 19.4% of elementary school students, 26.4% of middle school students and 33.7% of Baltimore County Public Schools high school students missed more than 18 days of school, which equates to chronic absenteeism. The board needs to ensure that schools are safe and welcoming to all students because students who are not in school cannot learn.
Are you satisfied with your school district's policy on AI use by students? If so, why? If not, what would you suggest to improve the AI policy?
I am satisfied that Baltimore County Public Schools is taking a hard look at technology use at all levels. AI use is inevitable, but its use in schools should be limited. Students need to develop intellectual curiosity and the ability to thoroughly research any topic. AI makes it too easy to take an AI response at face value without understanding the complexities of underlying issues.
Youth mental health has been a growing concern for years now. Do you think your school district has the resources and personnel in place to deal with this issue adequately? If not, what would you suggest to improve the situation?
Baltimore County Public Schools recently made school psychologists 10-month employees, which, for some, resulted in a $20,000-plus decrease in annual salary. As a result, many school psychologists left for other systems. These professionals are part of the team that includes school counselors and school nurses who are there to help students experiencing mental health issues. We must ensure that we create conditions where these professionals stay at Baltimore County Public Schools and are available to students.
Do you think there are circumstances when books should be removed from school libraries? If so, what kind of books should be removed, and who should make those decisions?
I don't think books should be removed from libraries, but I do believe that parents who request to know are kept apprised of which books their students get from the library.
