Robert Oland school board candidate
newspaper article
Place of residence: New Market
Date of birth: Oct., 16, 1988
Place of birth: Frederick
Current occupation: Waiter
Education: Continuing higher education to receive a degree in German and education
Community associations, involvement: Teaching Sunday School at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Mt. Airy
Professional associations: Lohr’s Family Restaurant
Family: Two brothers. One six (in kindergarten), one 3 months old
Campaign office address and telephone: 7023 Fox Chase Road, New Market, MD 21774; 301-606-2642
Web site:
www.olandforeducation.com
Frederick Board of Education
Robert Oland
What are your top three priorities for the next four years, if elected?
Getting more community involvement, creating safer environments, and managing funding in a better way
How would you rate the performance of the current school board: excellent, good, fair or poor? Why?
Good, because the school system is doing well in many ways, but there are some things that are wrong with it that prevent the board from being excellent.
How would you rate the job performance of Superintendent Linda Burgee, excellent, good, fair or poor? Why?
Excellent. She shows that she is truly concerned about education and does everything that she can to make it better.
Are charter schools a good idea? Why or why not?
There are several pros and cons involved with charter schools. However, I think before we invest money into charter schools, we should work on improving our current schools first. We have a great school system that is not in such disrepair that we need to completely change how we do things; we just need to tweak how we do things. I think just by doing this little effort, we can turn our great school system into an exceptional one that works for every child.
Is the county funding for schools too much, about right or too little? If too little, where would you find additional money?
Currently, it is about right, however, with the reduction in money from the Thornton bill this year, we will need to use our money more wisely and sparingly, and we will have to find more potential sources to get it.
Do you think the current system for renovating and building schools is adequate or does it need changing?
This system needs changing, however, the part that needs the most changing would be at the state level. They will not fund for renovating schools. We need to better look into the schools that most need the renovations and pay better attention to them.
What do you think about the board’s relationship with the community?
The relationship could be much better. Many people do not even go to the board to express their concerns. I think the board should be more inviting to concerned parents and citizens. This is one of the only ways we can keep in touch with the community. Knowing the concerns of parents will help to better the schools and make education personalized to Frederick County.
Do the commissioners have too much, too little or not enough oversight of the school system?
I think that the commissioners could have a little more insight into the school system. The Board of Education and Board of County Commissioners need to work together to make Frederick County the best it can be in all aspects.
What should the school system do to improve performance by minority students?
We should not ever place lower standards on any students. All students have an equal right and should be expected to accomplish the same goals in education (unless they are physically or mentally unable to). We need to help the schools that are falling behind in test scores and make sure that every child does the best he or she can.
Do you think the school system is doing enough to meet the needs of special education students?
In ways they are doing enough, however, we need to make sure that every child gets the education they need to learn and do his or her best.
Are the schools safe for students and teachers? If not, what should be done?
Many schools are dirty and may produce a health risk. Also, I think that needing resource officers in schools is a sad thing. We need to teach anti-bullying and harassment at younger ages so children can learn that doing those things is not OK. If we positively embed these into the young children’s minds, then we will be able to change the school environments for the better.
The cited information was sourced from Electronic Document (email, file) published in 2008 <http://www.gazette.net/votersguide08/candidates/orland.shtml> The author/originator was The Gazette, Montgomery and Prince George's counties. This citation is considered to be direct and primary evidence used, or by dominance of the evidence.Date of birth: Oct., 16, 1988
Place of birth: Frederick
Current occupation: Waiter
Education: Continuing higher education to receive a degree in German and education
Community associations, involvement: Teaching Sunday School at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Mt. Airy
Professional associations: Lohr’s Family Restaurant
Family: Two brothers. One six (in kindergarten), one 3 months old
Campaign office address and telephone: 7023 Fox Chase Road, New Market, MD 21774; 301-606-2642
Web site:
www.olandforeducation.com
Frederick Board of Education
Robert Oland
What are your top three priorities for the next four years, if elected?
Getting more community involvement, creating safer environments, and managing funding in a better way
How would you rate the performance of the current school board: excellent, good, fair or poor? Why?
Good, because the school system is doing well in many ways, but there are some things that are wrong with it that prevent the board from being excellent.
How would you rate the job performance of Superintendent Linda Burgee, excellent, good, fair or poor? Why?
Excellent. She shows that she is truly concerned about education and does everything that she can to make it better.
Are charter schools a good idea? Why or why not?
There are several pros and cons involved with charter schools. However, I think before we invest money into charter schools, we should work on improving our current schools first. We have a great school system that is not in such disrepair that we need to completely change how we do things; we just need to tweak how we do things. I think just by doing this little effort, we can turn our great school system into an exceptional one that works for every child.
Is the county funding for schools too much, about right or too little? If too little, where would you find additional money?
Currently, it is about right, however, with the reduction in money from the Thornton bill this year, we will need to use our money more wisely and sparingly, and we will have to find more potential sources to get it.
Do you think the current system for renovating and building schools is adequate or does it need changing?
This system needs changing, however, the part that needs the most changing would be at the state level. They will not fund for renovating schools. We need to better look into the schools that most need the renovations and pay better attention to them.
What do you think about the board’s relationship with the community?
The relationship could be much better. Many people do not even go to the board to express their concerns. I think the board should be more inviting to concerned parents and citizens. This is one of the only ways we can keep in touch with the community. Knowing the concerns of parents will help to better the schools and make education personalized to Frederick County.
Do the commissioners have too much, too little or not enough oversight of the school system?
I think that the commissioners could have a little more insight into the school system. The Board of Education and Board of County Commissioners need to work together to make Frederick County the best it can be in all aspects.
What should the school system do to improve performance by minority students?
We should not ever place lower standards on any students. All students have an equal right and should be expected to accomplish the same goals in education (unless they are physically or mentally unable to). We need to help the schools that are falling behind in test scores and make sure that every child does the best he or she can.
Do you think the school system is doing enough to meet the needs of special education students?
In ways they are doing enough, however, we need to make sure that every child gets the education they need to learn and do his or her best.
Are the schools safe for students and teachers? If not, what should be done?
Many schools are dirty and may produce a health risk. Also, I think that needing resource officers in schools is a sad thing. We need to teach anti-bullying and harassment at younger ages so children can learn that doing those things is not OK. If we positively embed these into the young children’s minds, then we will be able to change the school environments for the better.
- Source Notes
- http://www.gazette.net/stories/010308/brunnew15607_32363.shtml
Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008
Teen candidate promises fresh ideas for board
by Margarita Raycheva | Staff Writer
2007 was a year of milestones for Frederick resident Robert Oland.
In the summer, he graduated from Linganore High School. And in the winter, he registered as the youngest candidate ever to run for a seat on the Frederick County Board of Education.
It was a decision he made in September, when he found out that he was old enough to run for one of three seats on the school board.
Now, the Frederick Community College freshman said he is ready to compete in February primary election.
‘‘I know I am going to encounter a lot of people that may think I am too young,” Oland said. ‘‘I can tell them: ‘I may be young, but I am very energetic. I am very enthusiastic about this.”
An aspiring German language teacher, Oland wants to study education at Hood College.
Oland says he has experience juggling lots of different priorities. In his last three years of high school, he balanced studies with a job at Lohr’s Family Restaurant in Frederick. For the last four years, he also taught Sunday school at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.
‘‘I offer a type of experience that no other candidate has,” said Oland who attended six Frederick County public schools in the last 13 years.
As a student who recently completed his education in the county school system, Oland said he can shed light on the system’s successes and shortcomings with a fresh perspective.
As a student, he experienced the portables and all the other problems of the aging and crowded Linganore High School. He wants to make sure that other students in Frederick County will have to repeat his path.
‘‘When you go to that school you see the effects of the decisions of the Board of Education,” said Oland, who last year spoke to the Frederick Board of County Commissioners about the problems at his school.
Oland said he wants to ensure that the system has better funding management, especially when it comes to school construction and renovation. He also wants to increase community involvement in education and ensure a safe school environment for every student in the system.
The 19-year-old also supports the idea of giving a student board member partial voting rights.
Finally, Oland believes the system should pay attention to all safety issues at schools — from reducing bullying and violence to providing clean and inviting school buildings.
‘‘I think it’s sad that we have to have police officers in our schools,” he said. ‘‘It may sound utopian, but if we start programs like Character Counts for students at earlier age, then maybe one day we may not need them anymore.”
http://www.gazette.net/stories/021408/middnew71932_32361.shtml
Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008
Fish is tops among school board candidates
by Keith L. Martin | Staff Writer
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Like all candidates in Tuesday’s primary election, Angie Fish had a long evening tracking results, finally relenting at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday with the majority of votes tallied.
By the time she woke up a few hours later, fatigue was surpassed by excitement as Fish discovered she received the most votes among 12 candidates for three seats on the Frederick County Board of Education.
‘‘I was hopeful I’d make it through the primary, but was really happy to see that a lot of the public believed in what I was saying,” Fish said. ‘‘Is it nice to be at the top? Sure, but I’m just happy to be moving on to the General [Election].”
According to unofficial results from the Frederick County Board of Elections, Fish received 16,872 votes, 17 percent of the total votes cast.
Fish noted that work toward the Nov. 4 election began right after her morning cup of coffee, with a goal of letting voters know that ‘‘I’m in this for the kids ... and want to be out there making a difference.”
The former English teacher topped the two incumbents trying to win election to a second four-year term on the board: Katie Groth, who received 15,841 votes (16 percent) and Donna Crook with 15,813 votes (16 percent).
Crook said she is pleased with the results of Tuesday’s vote and ‘‘ecstatic” she is among the top three candidates. Like Fish, she recognizes there are months to go until she can secure one of the three seats.
‘‘The goal is to do just as well in the General Election,” Crook said. ‘‘It won’t be easy, but I believe anything that is worth while requires working for, and if you do that, you appreciate it more. I’ll work hard [to keep my seat].”
Groth said the primary results have left her ‘‘charged” and ‘‘ready to keep going” toward November.
‘‘I’m going to do the best job I can on the board as that is my most important priority,” she said. ‘‘I know I have some work ahead of me, but I’m up to the task and I intend to be one of the top three again in the fall.”
Rounding out the final three slots for the rights to compete in the General Election are: former journalist Joe Volz with 9,331 votes (9 percent), former teacher Ron Bird with 9,214 votes (9 percent), and businessman Tony Chmelik with 6,034 votes (6 percent).
Chmelik’s father, Joe, trails by only 10 votes with 6,024 votes (6 percent). Final voting results will become official on Feb. 22, when the Frederick County Election Board reviews and certifies all ballots.
Stuart Harvey, the county’s election director, said he anticipates another 1,500 absentee ballots. Those ballots will be reviewed beginning at 10 a.m. today and provisional ballots on Tuesday at Winchester Hall.
Tony Chmelik said he thinks he can retain his slim lead over his father, and is anxious to ‘‘start discussing solutions and not talking points as I heard from others who won in the primary.”
Volz said his goal from now until November is to meet with students and parents to discuss his experience for a seat on the school board.
‘‘Ms. Fish is known for her teaching background ... and I want to convince people that I too have a teaching background, including nearly 20 years at the college level,” Volz said. ‘‘I’m not sure the voters look at me as someone with a lot of education experience, but I have it.”
Bird, also a former teacher at the county’s Career and Technology Center, said he hopes to impress upon residents his status as ‘‘an insider.”
‘‘I know how the system works and can put that knowledge to good use,” he said. ‘‘I see some things we can change and improve upon ... including the entire curriculum, which needs a serious look.”
Rounding out the remaining candidates, Robert Oland recieved 5,369 votes (5 percent), Joe Mayo with 4,788 votes (5 percent), Richard Johnson with 4,558 votes (5 percent), Wes Salter with 2,682 votes (3 percent) and Ladd Proctor with 2,191 votes (2 percent)
- http://www.gazette.net/stories/010308/brunnew15607_32363.shtml