Maggie Litz Domanowski
Running for school board in Baltimore County District 3
Email: maggie.litz@gmail.com
Facebook: facebook.com/maggie.domanowski.148
How old will you be on Election Day (Nov. 3)?
47
Are you currently employed? If so, where, and what is your job title?
Administrative assistant
What is the highest level of education that you completed, and where did you get that degree?
Bachelor's degree, Towson University
Why are you running for the school board?
My focus and reasons for running for the Baltimore County Board of Education, District 3, have remained unchanged since I was first elected in 2022: the students. As the parent of three Baltimore County Public Schools students for the past eight years, I have gained a unique perspective on how board policies and decisions directly affect students and educators in the classroom. This experience has strengthened my commitment to ensuring that every decision I make as a board member supports student achievement and success. I am seeking to continue serving in this role because I believe every student deserves the opportunity to thrive. I will remain focused on making thoughtful, student-centered decisions that promote academic excellence and benefit all students.
What makes you a good candidate for the board?
What makes me a strong candidate to continue serving on the school board is my unwavering commitment to making decisions that best support students and educators in the classroom. I take seriously my responsibility to represent all students and families and to ensure that every student receives a high quallity education, one that prepares them for a future of their choosing. I also recognize my responsibility as a fiscal steward for all Baltimore County residents. The Baltimore County Public School budget represents nearly half of the county's total budget, and it must be managed carefully and transparently. I am committed to ensuring that Baltimore County Public Schools resources are invested wisely and demonstrate positive academic outcomes above all else.
What is the most important issue facing your school board and what would you do about it if elected?
The most important issue facing our school system, and one that requires the school board's immediate attention, is class size. Over the past several years, educators have seen their classroom rosters steadily increase. Current full-time equivalent staffing ratios do not always reflect the actual number of students many teachers are expected to manage each day. As a result, educators have fewer opportunities to provide individualized attention and support. As a board, we must prioritize students and educators by supporting budgets and policies that reduce class sizes. Smaller classes create a better learning environment, allow teachers to address students' individual needs and strenghten academic outcomes.
Please name a public leader you admire and explain why.
I was preparing to write about about a public figure I admire when he told me about his sister, Joey Tryon, the younger sister of Baltimore Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta. Tryon always knew she wanted to become a doctor. After graduating college, she applied to nine medical schools but was rejected by all of them. She then joined the Peace Corps, spending seven years living and teaching in a remote African village. During that time, she endured extraordinary challenges, including a tsunami and a severe leg injury that required her to give herself more than 40 stitches. After returning home, she was again rejected by every medical school to which she applied. Undeterred, she earned her paramedic license and worked in an ambulance for two years before finally being accepted to medical school. Today, she is a doctor and a mother of three. Her determination and perseverance make her an aspiring role model and someone I admire.
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.
The Blueprint for Maryland's Future is an ambitious and visionary plan for improving education across the state. Its positive impacts are already evident, particularly through the success of community schools, which have become invaluable resources for our students and families. I have not encountered a community school that would want to return to its previous model. However, not every school is eligible to become a community school, and the resources do not exsist to make every school one. While the Blueprint offers important goals and possibilities, its implementation and funding have not always matched its vision. Many school districts, including Baltimore County Public Schools, are struggling to meet deadlines because of insufficient funding and educator shortages. With thoughtful leadership, we can build upon the Blueprint while addressing the financial and time constraints it places on school systems. By focusing on flexibility, practical implementation and measurable results, we can achieve the Blueprint's primary goal: improved academic achievement for all students.
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?
Chronic absentieeism in Baltimore County Public Schools is below the state average, but it is still an issue that requires our attention. The Board of Education should address chronic absenteeism by supporting consistent policies and creating welcoming school environments where students want to be present, learn and succeed. Students should understand that attending school is their responsibility and an important step toward a brighter future. Our schools must foster a sense of belonging, acountability and engagement for every student. When students and educators feel connected to and invested in their schools, they are more likely to attend regularly, participate actively and achieve positive outcomes.
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?
Artificial intelligence is here to stay, and Baltimore County Public Schools needs a clear, comprehensive and consistently implemented policy governing its use in classrooms and student assignments. AI can be a valuable educational tool, but it should never replace the critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving and independent learning that students must develop. Students should be encouraged to think first, complete their own work and use AI only in ways that support, not substitute for, their learning. With thoughtful guidelines and effective oversight, Baltimore County Public Schools can help students use AI responsibly while ensuring that technology enhances education rather than undermines essential skills students need for academic and personal success.
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?
Youth mental health has become a significant concern in our schools and communities. I am encouraged by tools we have implemented to increase awareness and address mental health crisis amoung young people. However, I am concerned that these supports rely too heavily on digital applications, artificial intelligence and telehealth services. While technology can be useful, it should not replace the personal care and guidance provided by trained professionals. Our schools must consistantly have qualified mental health profesionals available to support students in person. We must also compensate these professionals fairy to attract and retain the skilled staff our students need. Every student deserves access to timely, compassionate and high-quality mental health care.
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?
Our schools need a clear, consistent and transparent policy governing the books made available to students in school libraries. Materials should be age-appropriate and evaluated based on their content, educational value and relevance to students. Books containing excessive vulgar language or sexual or otherwise adult content should receive careful review to determine whether they are appropriate for a school setting. When concerns arise, families and community members should have a clearly defined process for requesting a review. If a book is found to be inappropriate, the district should provide a transparent evaluation and, when warranted, remove it from the school library.
