Wylea Chase – Candidate for Montgomery County Board of Education, At-Large (Moderately MOCO Candidate Introduction Series)

This post is part of the Moderately MOCO Candidate Introduction Series. If you are a candidate who did not receive the questionnaire via email or need more information, please visit our contact form. The information in this post is based on responses submitted by the candidate and does not represent the views of Moderately MOCO or its publication.

Basic Information

Political Party: Democrat
Campaign Website: www.wyleachase.com
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram

Why Are You Running For Office?

I’m running as an At-Large Candidate for the MCPS Board of Education because our children, every single one of them, deserves a school system that delivers true excellence and opportunity and not just on paper. Right now (and for too long) our own MCPS data tells us that we have work to do. Too many of our students, especially our Black, Brown, and low-income students, are not meeting reading and math proficiency at levels that they should. This data represents real children and their real futures. It is the BOE’s responsibility to hold MCPS accountable to preparing our children to succeed and thrive in their educational pursuits. I’m also running because as a Black woman, representation matters. Our students should see leadership that reflects the diversity of our Montgomery County communities. Representation alone isn’t enough; it has to be paired with the honesty about the challenges our school system faces with a clear commitment to working collaboratively to solve them. I’m running to bring urgency, transparency, and collaboration to the work for all of our students, educators, support staff, and families no matter their zip codes.

What Is The Biggest Issue Facing Voters In This Race?

While the issues can be unique to certain communities, I think that an issue that voters could agree upon is whether our school system is truly delivering for every student. More specifically, our voters with children in the system are concerned about academic performance, transparency, and whether the BOE is moving with the urgency our students need. Voters who don’t have students in the school system are concerned that they aren’t seeing the return on investment of their tax dollars that supports the $3.6 billion MCPS budget. All voters want to know that the BOE is focused on results that positively impact all of our students and not at the expense of the most marginalized.

What Experience Best Prepares You For This Role?

My lived experience with the power and challenges of public education best prepares me for this role. I have been an educational advocate, (including advocacy around educational equity, inclusion, and belonging) for over 30 years. I began advocating for myself in HS when I was told by my guidance counselor that I was reduced to being a negative statistic when I became a mother during my senior year even though I was an A student. Because of family support and high expectations, I went on to graduate for a four-year college and enjoy a great career. That experience shapes how why I do this work and how I see it. I understand how critical strong schools, early support, and adults who refuse to give up on students truly are.

What Would You Like Voters To Know About You Personally?

I would like voters to know that when I’m in the room, their voices are in the room. That their students’ success is our community’s success. That our educators are a critical part of the success equation and that they need our support now more than ever, as do our support staff. I want voters to know that I believe accountability is a GOOD thing and that we CAN work together for the good of our children’s education and wellbeing.

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