Dear Editor,

I have known Francoise Sullivan for over 15 years in various capacities—as a community leader, mother, wife, and school board member. Francoise is a fierce advocate for education in our county. She has lobbied at the state legislature, challenged the minds of key leaders in the Maryland General Assembly, and attended federal forums on rural education models. She regularly engages with members of the State Board of Education, inviting them to witness the work being done in Kent County and  Kent County Public Schools. Francoise is detail-oriented, thoughtful, and deeply committed to the roles she takes on. She continues to promote justice and equity through her work with the Maryland Association of Boards of Education. She exudes love for Kent County, for the employees and students she serves, and for the role and impact of rural education. In a time when education is being highly politicized, Francoise doesn’t shy away. She stands up. When there are unpopular opinions, she doesn’t sit on the sidelines—she seeks to engage in meaningful conversation. If you don’t know my friend Francoise personally, I encourage you to look beyond social media and get to know the real person. Throwing low blows from behind a screen isn’t the answer. If change is what we desire in a world filled with chaos, we need leaders like Francoise to stabilize and push for progress with transparency, not hidden agendas.

Sincerely, N. Malik Johnson

To the Editor and the Community:

I am writing in support of Francoise Sullivan, who is running for re-election to the Board of Education.

I have known Francoise for over ten years and I could not admire her more. Together with a handful of concerned parents, we founded the public school advocacy group Support Our Schools, years ago when the elementary schools were consolidating. Since then, we have worked to keep our community informed, connect families with resources, and champion our schools in front of our commissioners and at the State House. When Francoise was elected to a seat on the Board of Education in 2020, it seemed a natural next step for her, given her depth and breadth of knowledge about our schools, our budgets, and our challenges.

Whatever questions I have about school funding, procedure, lobbying, statistics and frankly anything else that Google is not finding for me, I ask Francoise. She knows her stuff. As a school board member, she always asks the insightful questions and pushes for clarity and purpose (just watch some of the school board meetings and ask yourself if you think anyone else could do it better). She is diplomatic, prepared, and always trying to find ways to center students and teachers.

As a friend, I know that she is selfless and determined and always, always trying to improve and look for solutions. She knows that this is a job with far-reaching consequences and she takes it very seriously. Unlike many people who run for local office here, she understands the work and is not doing it to raise her profile or push an agenda, she is doing it for the kids.

If you remember the bus debacle: Francoise is the one who put together the bus notification groups on SOS. If you remember the pandemic learning hubs: Francoise is the one who rallied folks to get the hubs organized and established. If you remember raising money to pay off students’ lunch debt through the Random Acts of Kindness campaign: Francoise organized that. If you remember seeing flyers in realtor’s offices highlighting the unique offerings of KCPS: Francoise made that happen. If you’ve ever watched a live stream of a Commissioners’ meeting or a Board of Ed Meeting: thank Francoise for knowing it could be done and helping make it happen (she knows her tech!). If you remember someone standing up in front of the legislature in Annapolis lobbying for more funding for KCPS: that was Francoise. And these are only the things she did with SOS, in her “free time” (while also raising two kids and running a successful self-owned small business). I encourage you to watch any Board of Ed meeting to see what she brings to the position. She has done all of these things with determination to make things better for us all in Kent County.

And if you don’t remember any of the above, it doesn’t matter because Francoise was there doing the work anyway­—ten years and counting. She is a powerhouse and I am so grateful to have her steady hand to help guide the ship.

Thank you for your time and attention, and (here’s hoping!) for your vote for Francoise,

Robbi Behr

Chestertown

Dear Editor:

It is my pleasure to write this letter of support for Francoise Sullivan, who is seeking re-election to the Kent County Public Schools Board of Education. Having worked closely with Francoise over the years on numerous community projects, I have witnessed her unwavering dedication to the success of our schools and our children.

Francoise’s commitment to public education is evident not only in her leadership on the Board of Education but also in her consistent advocacy for students and teachers. As a founding member of Support Our Schools, she has been an integral voice in advancing important conversations about school funding, curriculum development, and educational equity. She listens, engages, and works diligently to create policies that benefit all children. She is willing to compromise but only if it will better serve our students.

My own children graduated from Kent County schools and are successful in their fields. As a parent of two children who are thriving in Kent County Public Schools, Francoise understands firsthand the importance of a strong, well-supported school system. Her leadership is vital as we continue to navigate the challenges facing our schools today.

It is clear that Francoise Sullivan is deeply committed to the success of Kent County Public Schools, and her efforts have made a measurable difference. I wholeheartedly endorse her for re-election, confident that she will continue to work tirelessly for the betterment of our school system and the future of our children.

Sincerely,

Carla Massoni

Mr. Speer,

I typically refrain from engaging in ‘back and forth’ colloquy in an unreviewed public forum, However, after a year and a half of voicing support for the historic Chestertown Armory that included 8 factual and well-researched Spy letters to the editor, public presentations and statements before the Chestertown Historic District Commission, an exception is both warranted and essential.

As a preservation architect with a background in land planning and knowledge of land-use regulations, I see the picture from a wider perspective and my views have been incorporated in our filings to the Circuit Court. I do have a serious concern over a precedent that would be established should the application of a 1000-foot zoning rule be applied for the first time in any historic district in Maryland. It has the all but guaranteed potential for opening the door to future disenfranchisement across our State. This is not a frivolous notion and should be of concern to every historic district resident.

In support, a notable MD historic organization recently reiterated to me that the question of standing is an important one with long-term ramifications for the protection of historical sites throughout the state. Their sentiment validates my concerns that the legal position taken by Washington College will inevitably result in “some Historic District residents are more equal than others by virtue of geography” and that “only those Historic District residents who live within 1000 feet of an applicant property will be permitted to be heard at HDC meetings.” Perhaps this is not what Washington College intended when its lawyer made its legal argument, but these are both very real practical eventualities.

Further, for the record and despite the College not sharing design plans since 2018, I and my fellow appellants have never opposed the College’s intentions to build a hotel during our involvement. As a concerned Historic District resident with a respectful resume of historic work, I advocated for the inclusion of the 1931 building into the future plans for numerous credible reasons documented in my Spy pieces. There are around 1.8 million ‘places’ on the National Register but only 5.5 percent, or 98,000, are ‘buildings’. The Chestertown Armory is on this exclusive list. Its repurposing, which is both credibly based and supportive, could in fact enhance the College’s plans and make its goal of funding a community hotel a more attractive financial proposition for local residents.

Finally, I take exception to your accusation, on behalf of your employer Washington College, of distorting anything by sharing my views.

Thomas Kocubinski, AIA