School board

Board of Education Member, Montgomery County

At Large

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A board of education member helps set policy, approve the budget and hire the superintendent of the county's public schools.

Candidates Compare by issue

Brenda M. Diaz

No party listed

Educator

The gist

Supports knowledge-rich curriculum and explicit math instruction
Supports primary-source civics instruction from early grades
Proposes a Teachers' Bill of Rights on discipline
Supports restoring school resource officers

More about Brenda

View sources (1)

Supports knowledge-rich curriculum and explicit math instruction
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Montgomery County Board of Education At Large (candidate questionnaire)
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I support knowledge-rich curriculum, whole books and textbooks in every classroom, grade-appropriate assignments that empower parents to help at home, and explicit math instruction.”
Supports primary-source civics instruction from early grades
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Montgomery County Board of Education At Large (candidate questionnaire)
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“a knowledge-rich curriculum rooted in primary sources, grammar, logic, and rhetoric from the earliest grades”
Proposes a Teachers' Bill of Rights on discipline
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Montgomery County Board of Education At Large (candidate questionnaire)
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“a Teachers' Bill of Rights to restore order and discipline, and urgent infrastructure repairs”
Supports restoring school resource officers
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Montgomery County Board of Education At Large (candidate questionnaire)
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Safe schools require restored School Resource Officers (SROs)”

Omar Lazo

No party listed

Small business owner; Montgomery College trustee

The gist

Supports expanding media literacy instruction
Supports early reading and math help
Supports career programs and dual enrollment with Montgomery College
Supports restorative practices and mental health resources in schools
Pledges a balanced, sustainable MCPS budget

More about Omar

View sources (1)

Supports expanding media literacy instruction
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Montgomery County Board of Education At Large (candidate questionnaire)
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I support expanding media literacy so students can identify credible sources, recognize bias, and avoid misinformation.”
Supports early reading and math help
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Montgomery County Board of Education At Large (candidate questionnaire)
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I support expanding early learning and strengthening reading and math in the early grades so students get help quickly when needed.”
Supports career programs and dual enrollment with Montgomery College
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Montgomery County Board of Education At Large (candidate questionnaire)
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“rigorous courses, career and technical programs, and dual-enrollment opportunities with Montgomery College”
Supports restorative practices and mental health resources in schools
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Montgomery County Board of Education At Large (candidate questionnaire)
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I support clear behavioral expectations, strong mental health resources, and restorative practices when appropriate.”
Pledges a balanced, sustainable MCPS budget
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Montgomery County Board of Education At Large (candidate questionnaire)
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I will work to balance the budget and create a stable, sustainable financial plan that protects school facilities and infrastructure.”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 3 issues covered in this race.