Shernice Mundell
Running for school board in Harford County District A
Email: shernice4schoolboard@gmail.com
How old will you be on Election Day (Nov. 3)?
49
Are you currently employed? If so, where, and what is your job title?
Yes. I am a financial clearance specialist at Johns Hopkins Hospital
What is the highest level of education that you completed, and where did you get that degree?
I have a bachelor's degree in divinity
Why are you running for the school board?
Feb. 13, 2025, is a day that I will never forget. That's the day I, along what would eventually amount to over 300,000 Black women, were pushed out of the workforce by this administration. I am an Air Force veteran and had recently started a new position as a federal employee. I would never have thought clocking into work that day my life would change. After crying and being in a state of shock for a few days I decided to fight back. I couldn't just stick my head and the sand. I had to be an example for my children and show them how to fight, and that is exactly what I did. I made sure my story and the story of all the other illegally-fired federal employees stayed in the spotlight. I didn't get my job back, but what I did get was the confidence and confirmation that when you fight indeed you win. I found my voice and it led me here. Led me to run to be a representative for this district. I want to be a fighter and a voice for this community and if I am elected to represent District A that is exactly what I will do, not only for District A but for all of our students in Harford County. I am not going to get it right all the time but what I do know is with the help if this community we can go further together.
What makes you a good candidate for the board?
Over the past year, I faced a defining test. Life thrust me into an incredibly difficult situation, and I found the strength to fight and advocate for myself through it. Even at my lowest point, I found my way back, stronger and more determined. That experience showed me the depth of my resilience, and I know that same fight lives in me for the students, staff, faculty and parents in my community. If I can advocate for myself through adversity, I can advocate for them with the same conviction.
What is the most important issue facing your school board and what would you do about it if elected?
The most important issue facing the board, to me, is transparency. I want the community informed about every change the board proposes and makes, and I want the community's voice present in every decision I vote on or weigh in on. I plan to hold frequent 'chat and chews' with the community, stay active on social media and maintain an open-door policy throughout my term.
Please name a public leader you admire and explain why.
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett is a public leader I deeply admire. She has fought fiercely against the current administration, and even after facing redistricting that pushed her out of her Texas district, she never wavered in her mission to serve the people of America. Though her run for Senate fell short, she continues showing up for down-ballot candidates and the communities that need her voice. She never backs down from a challenge, and she stands as a powerful role model, not just for Black girls and boys, but for anyone learning how to use their voice, fight injustice and advocate fearlessly for the people.
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 general consensus in Harford County is that the Blueprint for Maryland's Future isn't working as designed, and budget strain sits at the center of that frustration. The Blueprint's impact plays out county-wide rather than by individual district, and its mandates have contributed to a $60 million budget deficit, forcing Harford County Public Schools to eliminate over 150 positions. This directly affects class sizes, in-school and after-school programs and mental health resources across every building. Much of the state funding comes restricted to specific uses, making it harder for schools to redirect resources toward the needs they understand best.
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?
Candidate did not respond to this question.
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?
Looking over the current AI policy, I recognize it served the district well at the time of implementation. Given the rapid pace of change in AI technology, I support a ban on AI use in grades K-5, and I'm open to extending that through 8th grade. The district needs comprehensive training on the ethical use of AI for both staff and students. I also believe the policy should undergo a formal annual review, with updates made to keep pace with advances in AI technology.
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?
Schools face a real gap between the mental health needs of students, teachers and staff and the resources currently available to meet them. Young people today feel more empowered to voice what they're experiencing, and that openness has revealed just how much support is needed, not only for students navigating a crisis, but for the everyday demands of getting through the school day. I'm committed to directing more resources and funding toward mental health services, because supporting the well-being of our students and staff is foundational to everything else we ask schools to do. This means expanding counselor-to-student ratios, so every child has real access to support and building stronger partnerships with community mental health organizations to bring additional services directly into our schools.
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 believe there are any circumstances where books should be removed from school libraries. I think staff are the experts in making decisions for age-appropriate books and the parent should decide if a book is appropriate for their child and should not make a decision for the school as a whole.
