Congratulations to both school board candidates

Editor,

The Worcester County Board of Education District 5 race demonstrated our community’s dedication and commitment to education. Elena McComas, reelected with 54% of the vote, demonstrated her strong connection to the community and her track record of leadership on the board. Her campaign highlighted her experience, her understanding of state and federal mandates, and her ability to articulate the board’s role effectively.

Dorothy Shelton-Leslie’s campaign, while falling short, cannot be overlooked. She received 45% of the vote. Her message resonated with voters and brought issues like school safety, library materials, and gender identity policies into the spotlight. These are not easy challenges, but they reflect genuine community concerns that demand careful and open discussion.

This election also showed the tension between Worcester County’s predominantly conservative values and Maryland’s broader state policies. Balancing these dynamics is a difficult task for the school board, but transparency and proactive communication are crucial.

Congratulations to both candidates for running campaigns that brought important issues to the forefront. As the board moves forward, addressing these concerns constructively and openly will be vital to maintaining trust from the community.

John Huber
Ocean Pines