I am currently serving the final year of my first term on the KCPS Board of Education. I am proud of the work that our board has been able to accomplish but there is always more to do. I would like to have the opportunity to continue to work to move our schools forward and help our students succeed.
As the youngest daughter of a career United States Marine Corps father I have lived in various parts of our country including North Carolina, California, Hawaii, Virginia and Maryland. Between Kindergarten and graduation from Crossland High School in Prince George's County, Maryland I attended 6 different schools. I also spent a year studying Elementary and Special Education at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. Though teaching ultimately did not turn out to be my calling I have enormous respect for those who dedicate their lives to our children.
My husband, Mark, and I moved to Worton from the "western shore" in 2003. We have two children who have attended Kent County Public Schools since 1st grade. When I am not shuttling my kids hither and yon I run a website design business. I work primarily with local non-profits, artists and small businesses. I am proud to be a founding member of the school advocacy group Support Our Schools. I like to volunteer and be involved in our community and have helped organize the Chestertown Tea Party Festival, the Chestertown HP Festival and I am on the Marketing Committee for the Garfield Center for the Arts.
Email: francoise@voteforsullivan.org
I hope to continue to serve our community and represent KCPS.
Board of Education members must work together to make the best decisions for our students and schools. No individual member can achieve this on their own. We have different backgrounds, different perspectives and different goals for our time on the board. But we can not accomplish anything without the support of the other members. We have all been chosen by our community to serve our schools to the best of our ability. I am grateful for the thoughtful deliberations and decisions that the board has made.
Some accomplishments from my time on the board include –
Mission of the Board of Education
To provide leadership and oversight for a high-quality educational system with community-supported goals, policies, and resources committed to benefit our growing and diverse student population. (KCPS BOE Handbook)
I would like to thank the many community members who are supporting my campaign! Either by having my sign in their yard, sending out postcards, making a donation, buying a shirt or all of the above!
I am grateful to have the endorsement of Heather Mizeur and the Democratic Club of Kent County Maryland. I am humbled by letters to the editor written in support of my run for re-election.
Thank you!
There are many barriers for children growing up in poverty – language, hunger, transportation, homelessness. There are programs at the federal and state level that KCPS currently taps into to help overcome some of these barriers.
All five of KCPS schools are CEP-eligible. CEP stands for Community Eligibility Provision and is a school meal funding option of the National School Lunch Act. CEP allows high poverty schools to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students – essentially becoming Hunger-Free Schools. Schools and school districts with an Identified Student Percentage (ISP) of 40% or higher are eligible to elect CEP. Identified students are those students who are directly certified for free meals based on their participation in other programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
Four of our five KCPS schools (all 3 elementary and KCMS) are Title I Schools. Title I funds support social-emotional learning, extra instruction in reading and mathematics, additional teachers, materials of instruction, as well as after-school and summer programs to extend and reinforce the regular school curriculum.
Three of our KCPS schools (Garnet, RHES and KCMS) are Community Schools. Community Schools are public schools that provide services and support that fit each neighborhood’s needs, created and run by the people who know our children best – all working together.
Anyone with kids knows how difficult it is to shop locally for their clothes and shoes. I would like to have the middle school pilot a uniform program with uniforms provided free of cost to all families. Uniforms help create a level playing field, reducing the pressure on students to wear trendy or expensive clothing. This can decrease feelings of inadequacy and promote a sense of equality among students.
Each family receives a copy of the handbook at the beginning of the school year. I would like to convene a committee, including students, to review the current Student Handbook. I want to know if our attendance policy is creating any hardships for our families. Families with fewer resources may struggle to get to a doctor’s appointment to be able to provide a note for their child.
Rock Hall Elementary School has partnered with Choptank Health to have a clinic inside the school that serves the needs of the community. I would like to see partnerships like these expanded in our other schools.
We don’t have poor kids we have families living in poverty. The best way to support those families is to make sure that they have the resources and opportunities to make a living wage in Kent County. Not so long ago we offered GED classes at our schools, I would like to see this start again. I would also like to see if there is interest in opening up some of our CTE classes to adult learners in the evenings. By supporting the families we serve our students.
First let’s talk about the five pillars. They are –
Pillar 1 – EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Pillar 2 – HIGH QUALITY AND DIVERSE TEACHERS AND LEADERS
Pillar 3 – COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS
Pillar 4 – MORE RESOURCES TO ENSURE ALL STUDENTS SUCCEED
Pillar 5 – GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY
In many ways KCPS is ahead on the Blueprint pillars due to our small size and the investments that we have made in our schools over the years. KCPS has offered universal Pre-K for over 10 years, many school districts are struggling to find the space to house these students. Kent County High School has a strong history of ranking No. 1 in the state for dual completers. Students are encouraged to enroll in dual credit courses at Washington College and Chesapeake College, allowing them to earn both high school and college credits upon successful completion of the coursework. At the October 14th Board meeting our Blueprint Coordinator Tom Porter shared the latest implementation update. Moving forward we will be expanding our Pre-K and 3 year old programs. Our first teacher cohort to complete their National Board Certification will be getting their results later this year and we are on track for increasing the starting teacher salary. Over 50% of our students are enrolled in one of our 11 CTE programs and 23% of our students are taking AP courses.
Our CTE programs include – Agricultural Science, Academy of Health Professions, Automotive Technician, Computer Science, Construction Trades including Welding, FM Broadcasting, Culinary Arts, Project Lead the Way Pre-Engineering, Fire and Rescue, Apprenticeship of Maryland instruction and work-based learning, and the Teacher Academy.
As mentioned in a previous question – 3 of our 5 schools are designated Community Schools with access to additional resources, Galena Elementary School is most likely going to meet the requirements and receive access to those resources in the near future. Last year we implemented a Behavioral Health screener and will be using that information to improve our student supports. We will continue to work with the strategic facilitators, offered at no cost to us, to make sure we are allocating our budget and resources effectively and continue to make progress towards full implementation of the Blueprint.
I would like the new superintendent to build strong relationships with the local community, parents, teachers, and community leaders. I would also like them to be ready to roll up their sleeves and dive into the challenges that we face as a small, rural school district with many students and families facing the challenges of high-poverty. I want them to be a vocal advocate on every level for the needs of our students and schools.
I expect them to make sure that we have all the resources we need to provide opportunities for all of our students. I expect them to be able to manage our budget so that our needs can be met and challenges overcome.
I expect them to listen to our teachers. We have amazing, hard working teachers who are committed to the success of our students. I want to say that again – Kent County Public Schools has amazing, hard working teachers who are committed to the success of our children. Supporting and developing teachers to ensure they have the skills and resources they need to effectively teach in our schools should be a priority for the new superintendent.
Finally, I would like the new superintendent to be a good communicator who will keep families and staff well informed of not just school activities and challenges but of their vision for our schools and steps taken to make sure our students are successful.
The United States Supreme Court ruled over 40 years ago that “local school boards may not remove books from school library shelves simply because they dislike the ideas contained in those books.” As board members we are responsible for upholding the constitutional rights of our students.
The decision to include school library books and curriculum materials on topics related to sexual and gender identity should be made with careful consideration of educational goals, legal requirements, and the well-being of all students. Our media staff prioritize award winning books from established lists of literary awards including the Newbery Award, Caldecott Award and ALA Award to name a few. I trust that our administrators, teachers and media specialists select materials that are of the most benefit to our students and will provide diverse perspectives and create an inclusive learning environment for all.
Books and materials that cover topics related to sexual and gender identity can help students see themselves reflected in the curriculum and promote empathy and understanding among classmates.
For LGBTQ+ students, seeing positive representations of themselves in school materials can be affirming and validating. It can also help combat feelings of isolation and provide important information about identity development and resources for support.
Some parents may have concerns about the age-appropriateness of certain materials or may hold different beliefs about these topics. There are many ways that parents can address their concerns starting with speaking with their child’s teacher to see if optional materials are available for their child. Parents may request a reconsideration of school library books as outlined in the KCPS Reconsideration of Media Center Materials policy by completing a request form.
We are all aware of the many book challenges that have been made in schools around the country. Kent County has not been immune to these challenges. In November 2022 a group of community members spoke during the public comment time and read excerpts from books that they did not believe should be in our school libraries.
I responded on this topic during my board discussion time –
I believe that representation matters. Students should read and hear stories that reflect themselves, their families, their struggles and achievements.
I believe that there are any number of ways that parents can and should be involved in our schools. I also believe that parents need to respect boundaries and not try to dictate curriculum and reading materials for our schools.
Finally, to quote The National Coalition Against Censorship,
“These books may not be of interest for every student. But if every library book was required to serve every student, the shelves would be bare. A library, including a school library, is meant to include a broad selection of books that provide value to students. These books do just that.”
According to the US News and World Report the KCPS student demographics break down as follows –
55.3% White
23.7% Black
0.6% Asian or Asian/Pacific Islander
11.6% Hispanic/Latino
0.3% American Indian or Alaska Native
0% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
By providing training for our teachers – At the February 12 Board of Education meeting our Blueprint coordinator and CTE director Tom Porter gave a presentation on the KCPS Educational Equity Policy and discussed Equity-Driven training that staff have attended. This training includes REI (Racial Equity Institute) Training, Culturally Responsive Teaching Training, and Restorative Practices Training. Not all KCPS staff have been able to attend trainings. I would like to increase the opportunities for training and participation by staff so that all of our staff may attend.
By providing inclusive courses and materials – Another way to improve outcomes is ensuring that the curriculum is culturally responsive and meets the needs of our students. As I mentioned in my opening statement, new courses were introduced at Kent County High School this school year including American Sign Language and African American History. I would like our schools to continue to tap into our rich, diverse Kent County history and expand partnerships with organizations that can provide materials and resources for teachers and students including Sumner Hall, Washington College and Chesapeake Heartland. Students should learn about the people who share their backgrounds and interests who were pioneers for change.
By providing enrichment opportunities for our students – Today the 7th graders at the Middle School are participating in an event called Challenge Day. Tomorrow the 9th graders at our high school will hold their own Challenge Day. Events like Challenge Day help our students make deeper connections with one another. To quote from the Challenge Day website –
Using highly interactive and energetic activities, Challenge Day Leaders guide teens on a carefully-designed exploration of the ways people separate from each other, and model tools for creating connection and building community.
By tracking data – We should continue to use data to identify students who may be at risk of falling behind academically early on, and provide targeted interventions and support services to address their specific needs. KCPS has provided tutoring, academic enrichment programs, and social-emotional support to help students overcome barriers to learning. We need more tutors and volunteers in our schools to help with these needs.
Maryland Board of Elections website – https://www.elections.maryland.gov/
Vote411 – https://www.vote411.org/maryland
League of Women Voters of Kent County – https://kent-lwvmaryland.nationbuilder.com/
Kent County Board of Elections website – https://www.kentcountyelections.org/
Click for KCHS 2024-2025 Program of Study (PDF)
KCHS Offers 12 Advanced Placement (AP) Courses Including:
AP Biology
AP Calculus
AP Chemistry
AP Computer Science
AP English Language and Composition
AP English Literature and Composition
AP Environmental Science
AP Psychology
AP Spanish Language
AP Statistics
AP Studio Art
AP World History
As well as 11 Career and Technology Education (CTE) Programs Including:
Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Principles of Agricultural Science – Animal Animal and Plant Biotechnology Agriculture Business, Research & Development
Foundations of Medicine and Health Science Structures and Functions of the Human Body Theory and Clinical Experience in Health Services Pharmacy Tech Medical Specialty
Apprenticeship MD 1: Apprenticeship Related Instruction Apprenticeship MD 2: Work Based Learning Apprenticeship MD 3: Work Based Learning Apprenticeship MD 4: Work Based Learning
Suspension and Steering Brakes Electrical/Electronic Systems Engine Performance
Foundations of Building and Construction Technology Carpentry 1 – Level I Carpentry 2 – Level II (2)
Interactive Media Broadcast Communications Broadcast Productions Broadcast Programming
Fire Rescue 1: Emergency Medical Care Fire Rescue 2: Fire Fighter 1 Fire Rescue 3: Hazardous Materials, Operations, Rescue Technician Fire Rescue 4: Response to Terrorism, Fireground Operations Truck Company Fireground Operations and Rescue Technician
Becoming a Food Service Professional, I Becoming a Food Service Professional, II Practical Experience as a Food Service Professional (2)
Foundations of Computer Science AP Computer Science Principles AP Computer Science A Computer Science Capstone
Introduction to Engineering Design (IED) Principles of Engineering (POE) Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) Civil Engineering and Architecture (CEA) Engineering Design and Development (EDD)
Human Growth and Development Through Adolescence Teaching as a Profession Foundations of Curriculum & Instruction Education Academy Internship
