Baltimore County Board Race: Two Candidates, Different Paths

The Baltimore County Board of Education District 1 race features two candidates with contrasting professional backgrounds. Both women have deep roots in the local community, but their paths to education leadership differ in scope and focus.

Candice Logan-Washington, 45, has spent decades in the school system itself. She holds a doctorate in educational leadership and social policy from Morgan State University. Her career includes 18 years of teaching, including time at Woodlawn High School. From 2013 to 2022, she served in district leadership roles at Baltimore County Public Schools. She is currently the director of research, impact, and organizational development at Thread, Inc.

Logan-Washington supports the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, stating it is extremely helpful because it aims to strengthen academics and expand access to opportunity. She favors reasonable restrictions on personal devices when they interfere with instruction. On math scores, she advocates for high-quality, research-based curricula and consistent professional development for teachers. She also emphasizes the need for timely remediation and stronger alignment with postsecondary standards.

Lisa A. Mack, 68, brings a different set of experiences to the race. She served on the board of education from 2018 to 2022. Before that, she worked at Verizon from 1979 to 2007. Mack holds a master’s degree in management from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland. She has also served as an adjunct instructor at the Community College of Baltimore County and as a court appointed special advocate. She was a licensed foster parent from 2021 to 2024.

The board is responsible for setting policy, hiring the school system superintendent, and approving the district budget. The District 1 seat is up for election this year. The outcome will influence how the district manages declining enrollment and implements state education mandates.

Logan-Washington argues that schools should be anchors in their communities. She believes closures and redistricting should consider academic programming, building utilization, transportation, and equity, not just enrollment numbers. She supports keeping communities together while sharing resources and talent across schools. She states that families choose public schools when they trust the quality of education and believe their children will be supported and prepared.

Both candidates address the issue of library book selection. Logan-Washington says parents should have a meaningful voice in understanding materials available to their children. She supports a professional process guided by educational standards and age appropriateness. She notes that Baltimore County already has a public process for reviewing instructional materials. She supports maintaining appropriate processes for parents to request exemptions or alternative materials.

Mack’s platform emphasizes her prior board service and community involvement. She has volunteered at Benedict’s Pantry, Women’s Giving Circle, and the Johns Hopkins baby rocker. Her background in human services and management informs her approach to school administration. She has served as an adjunct faculty member and a court appointed special advocate, roles that focus on supporting individuals and families.

The race pits a current educational leader with a doctorate and recent district leadership experience against a former board member with extensive corporate and community service history. The voters will decide which combination of skills best suits the needs of the district. The election will determine who helps shape the future of Baltimore County Public Schools for the next term.

Logan-Washington is currently serving as a family caregiver for aging parents. Mack is married and has three children. Both candidates are married. Logan-Washington has two children. Their personal circumstances do not appear in the official campaign filings, but they provide context for their availability and perspective on family needs in schools.