Baltimore County School Board District 3 Candidates Offer Different Visions for Public Education
Voters in Baltimore County School Board District 3 will choose between two candidates who agree that student achievement and school safety deserve urgent attention, but differ on how best to move the school system forward.
Maggie Litz Domanowski, 47, is the current District 3 Board of Education member. Kelli Slattery McClelland, 44, is an educator and former special education teacher with experience in adult education, higher education and student support services.
Their responses to The Baltimore Banner’s 2026 Election Questionnaire highlight clear differences on the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, classroom technology, math instruction, enrollment declines and school library materials.
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future
Domanowski supports the Blueprint’s goals, particularly its emphasis on community schools, but believes its cost and implementation need significant review. She called for more sustainable, cost-effective ways to provide students with a high-quality education without creating long-term fiscal instability or forcing difficult budget tradeoffs.
McClelland described the Blueprint as critical to improving Maryland schools. She argued that districts should resist slowing or reducing implementation because of budget pressures, warning that incomplete implementation could undermine the program’s intended outcomes.
The candidates therefore offer different approaches: Domanowski emphasizes fiscal sustainability and implementation changes, while McClelland emphasizes following the Blueprint as designed.
Personal Devices and Classroom Screen Time
Both candidates support restricting students’ personal device use in schools.
Domanowski said personal devices; including cellphones, tablets and smartwatches, should be kept out of students’ hands as much as possible during the school day. She emphasized focus, engagement and reducing distractions from social media and other outside demands.
McClelland also supports restrictions, while allowing flexibility for students with medical needs or other exceptional circumstances. She additionally supports limiting school-issued technology and using instructional devices more intentionally, depending on students’ grade level and academic program.
Both candidates want less recreational screen use in schools, but McClelland places greater emphasis on research-based flexibility and student accommodations.
Improving Math Achievement
Domanowski favors a return to strong math fundamentals, including math facts, multiplication tables, direct instruction, textbooks, writing and hands-on practice. She expressed concern that overreliance on computers and artificial intelligence can prevent students from developing the underlying skills needed for problem-solving.
McClelland identified universal pre-K as the most important long-term investment for improving math outcomes. She also called for evidence-based curricula, professional development, smaller class sizes, paraeducators and additional support for students with disabilities.
Domanowski focuses primarily on instructional methods and foundational skills. McClelland emphasizes early childhood education, staffing and broader academic supports.
Enrollment, School Closures and Redistricting
Domanowski said declining enrollment should prompt school leaders to listen closely to families, educators and students. She connected enrollment concerns to public confidence, arguing that families want schools to graduate students who are literate, well-rounded and prepared for adult life.
McClelland supports BCPS’s existing community-informed redistricting process but said the system should ensure residents feel included. To attract families, she proposed communicating both school successes and areas needing improvement, while collaborating with education researchers, elected officials and professional organizations.
Both candidates support community input, but Domanowski places greater emphasis on academic results and restoring confidence, while McClelland focuses on transparent communication and collaboration.
School Library Materials
Domanowski does not believe parents need a larger role in selecting school library materials. She supports varied collections that include different genres, reading levels and perspectives, while also calling for clear professional standards and age-appropriate choices.
McClelland said school librarians should maintain independence because of their professional training, ethics and expertise. She believes parents should continue advocating for their own children, while public schools serve the needs of all students.
Both candidates oppose turning book selection into a political process. Domanowski emphasizes thoughtful review and age appropriateness, while McClelland emphasizes librarian independence and professional judgment.
Two Different Approaches
The questionnaire responses show two candidates who share concerns about student learning, excessive technology use and the importance of public confidence in schools.
Domanowski’s answers emphasize academic fundamentals, accountability, parental confidence and responsible budgeting. McClelland’s responses emphasize full implementation of the Blueprint, early learning, research-based instruction, staffing and professional expertise.
For District 3 voters, the choice may come down to which approach they believe will best improve student outcomes: a stronger focus on foundational instruction and fiscal sustainability, or expanded early education and full investment in the Blueprint’s broader reforms.
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