On Thursday night Howard County resident and local activist, Hiruy Hadgu, announced that he filed the necessary paperwork to run in the upcoming Howard County School Board election. Below is the text from a letter he sent to potential supporters.
I am excited to share that I have filed to run for the Board of Education in District 4! For years, I have been a community advocate for fair, just policies throughout Howard County, and it is crystal clear to me that our community is at a crossroads.
The school system’s superficial response to the genocide in Gaza — and the subsequent censorship of students and staff who wish to speak up — was a wake-up call for many in our community: HCPSS does not treat and value all identities equally. My vision for our schools goes beyond empty statements about diversity. It is about actionable policies that address the educational disparities that plague our system and hinder our students’ potential.
My priority is to build an inclusive and equitable school system in every aspect by:
- Demanding a fully funded school budget.
- Fixing school transportation.
- Serving students, not developers.
- Advocating for fair compensation for our educators.
- Ensuring equitable resources, especially for historically underserved communities.
- Committing to new school construction and eliminating deferred maintenance.
A reluctance to address uncomfortable truths is not the attitude that can or should lead our school systems. The issues in HCPSS require a sincere, bold, and concerted effort for change — an effort I am qualified and motivated to lead.
I am reaching out to you, as a member of our community, to join me: with your help, we can build a school system that not only acknowledges the challenges we face but actively works towards an inclusive and equitable solution.
Please chip in what you can to support the campaign.
Thank you for considering my message. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss these issues further and hope for your support in the upcoming election.
In service and solidarity,
Hiruy Hadgu