The Cecil County Classroom Teachers Association and Cecil Education Support Personnel Association announced their endorsements of 12 candidates on Wednesday, just two days before the start of early voting in the state's primary election.
The associations have recommended incumbent Donna Zane in the Board of Education District 5 primary race, Robert Lynn in the District 4 primary race, and Wendy Wintersgill in the District 3 general election.
They're also backing Democrat Earl Piner in the District 2 county commissioner primary, Republican Harry Hepbron in the District 3 primary, and Democrat Carl Roberts in the District 4 primary. Roberts is a former superintendent of the Cecil County Public Schools.
In the House of Delegates races, the associations endorsed Democrats Mary-Dulany James and Dan Riley in the District 34A primary race, Democrat David Rudolph in the District 34B race, and Democrats Arthur Hock and William Manlove in the District 36 race.
In the District 36 state senate primary race, they endorsed Republican Donald Alcorn.
All recommended candidates had to submit a completed questionnaire to the associations and follow up with a sit-down interview to be considered, CCCTA President Lori Hrinko said.
Candidates answered 12 questions on the state of public education, including topics such as school budgets, national and state legislation like Race to the Top, and the Education Reform Act of 2010, fair labor standards and the role of special education in schools, Hrinko said.
"Everything we do is controlled by elected members of our government from the President of the United States to our county commissioners to our local board of education," she said. "As educators, it is important that we get involved in this process."
After submitting questionnaires, candidates met with a 12-member legislative committee made up of representatives from both associations to discuss their questionnaire answers in depth.
"I think the interview session not only allows the committee to get a better understanding of what a candidate's values are, but also allows the candidate to ask questions of us," said Hrinko, who is also a science teacher at North East Middle School. "We look for candidates who are critical thinkers, those who can ask questions and get answers. I think we were all very impressed by some candidates who don't have an education background, but were well versed in our current issues."
While the CCCTA has traditionally always endorsed political candidates, this marks the first year that the CESPA has joined in the process.jowens@cecilwhig.com |
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