Phil Kauffman

Office Sought: Montgomery County Board of Education, At Large
Age: 56
Residence: Olney.
Education: BA, economics, University of Pennsylvania; JD, University of Maryland School of Law.
Occupation: Deputy assistant general counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Web site:http://www.philkauffman.com
E-mail address: philip_kauffman@yahoo.com
Offices and positions held: Past area vice president, Montgomery County Council of PTAs, Northeast Consortium and Sherwood cluster; past coordinator, Blake cluster; past president, Farquhar Middle School PTA; chairman, MCCPTA high school committee; member, MCCPTA grading and reporting committee; member of several MCPS committees, including school improvement, school naming and principal selection.

Why should voters elect you?

I am a PTA leader, parent of two MCPS graduates and husband of a teacher, who will advocate for each child's success at every school.

What do you think is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction?

There are many issues facing MCPS, but middle school reform is a high priority. The gains resulting from the initiatives implemented in elementary schools are at risk if middle schools are not strengthened. We need strong, content-rich curriculum, further integration of technology in the classrooms and highly qualified teachers who have time to teach instead of being overburdened by unnecessary testing. Extended-day learning opportunities and creative, interactive after-school programs that provide students with additional reading, writing or mathematics instruction and support must be provided.

-- The Washington Post | Submit a correction request.

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