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Hiruy Hadgu
Hiruy Hadgu ran for election to the Howard County Public Schools Board of Education to represent District 4 in Maryland. He lost in the primary on May 14, 2024.
Hadgu completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Hiruy Hadgu's career experience includes working as a nuclear engineer. Hadgu earned a graduate degree from the University of Michigan in 2010 and a graduate degree from the University of Maryland in 2017.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Howard County Public Schools, Maryland, elections (2024)
General election
General election for Howard County Public Schools Board of Education District 4
Incumbent Jen Mallo defeated Julie Kaplan in the general election for Howard County Public Schools Board of Education District 4 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jen Mallo (Nonpartisan) | 51.3 | 16,787 |
 | Julie Kaplan (Nonpartisan)  | 47.8 | 15,643 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.8 | 266 | ||
| Total votes: 32,696 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Howard County Public Schools Board of Education District 4
Julie Kaplan and incumbent Jen Mallo defeated Hiruy Hadgu in the primary for Howard County Public Schools Board of Education District 4 on May 14, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Julie Kaplan (Nonpartisan) | 46.3 | 6,202 |
| ✔ | | Jen Mallo (Nonpartisan) | 36.6 | 4,899 |
 | Hiruy Hadgu (Nonpartisan) | 17.1 | 2,290 | |
| Total votes: 13,391 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Hadgu in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Hiruy Hadgu completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Hadgu's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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His work spans advocating for local legislation, forming coalitions for underrepresented groups, and leading in equity and justice initiatives.
He was a founding member of Indivisible Howard County and participated in the NAACP. His 2018 county council campaign highlighted the negative impacts of developer-driven land-use decisions.
Hiruy's efforts in advocating for an increase school surcharge fees and helping form the Police Accountability Task Force after George Floyd's death demonstrate his proactive approach to community betterment.
He's also active in immigrant justice and has pushed for impactful resolutions like Howard County's ceasefire.
Hiruy's involvement in various community organizations, alongside his educational background in Nuclear Engineering and Business, showcases his commitment to progressive policies and community welfare.
Now running for the Board of Education, Hiruy is determined to ensure quality education for all, leveraging his experience and passion for the betterment of Howard County's future.- Inclusive education celebrates diversity, ensuring every student's identity is respected and represented. Current systems often exhibit selective inclusivity, with political and corporate interests overshadowing genuine equity, particularly in addressing race, LGBTQ+ rights, and historical narratives. True inclusivity, devoid of hypocrisy & censorship, requires active, consistent practice, even amid political challenges. It involves creating safe, supportive environments for all, especially marginalized groups, advocating for unfiltered historical education & respecting gender identity without barriers. Achieving this transforms schools into spaces where diversity is celebrated, guiding every educational policy towards genuine inclusivity.
- The budget, often dictated by County Administration, falls short of actual needs, misleadingly suggesting full funding. This results in service declines, staff cuts, and program losses, particularly affecting Special Education. The maintenance of effort (MOE) funding is inadequate, not aligning with current service levels or addressing program cuts. Enrollment shouldn't be the sole budget metric; service levels must also be considered. Disparities in schools serving children of color need addressing with better teacher-to-student ratios. Advocating for a budget that meets the school system's true needs and ensures equitable education and fair educator pay is crucial for a board member.
- Committed to solving school overcrowding and ending trailer use, I advocate for new facility construction, backed by legislation and transparent funding via school bonds for clear accountability. My experience on the Spending Affordability Advisory Committee informs my focus on sound fiscal policies and thorough zoning and land use analysis to support Howard County's educational system. Current reliance on relocatable classrooms indicates systemic capacity issues, exacerbated by inadequate funding and planning. My platform seeks proactive budgeting and planning to ensure schools are safe, modern, and conducive to learning, reflecting our commitment to high-quality education and a healthy environment for students.
Integrity: Fundamentally, officials should exhibit honesty, ethical behavior, and a strong moral foundation. Integrity ensures decisions are made in the public's interest.
Transparency: Being open about actions and decisions builds trust and enables public scrutiny, essential for democracy.
Accountability: Officials must take responsibility for their actions, being answerable to the public and willing to admit mistakes.
Leadership: Effective leadership involves guiding, inspiring, and motivating others with a clear vision and the ability to rally support.
Empathy: Addressing the needs of all constituents, particularly those from marginalized groups, leads to inclusive policymaking.
Communication Skills: Strong communication is crucial for explaining policies, addressing concerns, and mediating conflicts. This also includes active listening.
Decision-Making Ability: Officials need to make informed, fair, and effective decisions, which involves analyzing information and anticipating outcomes.
Resilience and Adaptability: The ability to withstand criticism and adapt to changes in the political landscape is vital.
Commitment to Public Service: A genuine desire to serve and improve the community drives officials to work diligently for the welfare of all.
Knowledge and Competence: Understanding government functions, law, and policy issues is crucial. Continuous learning and staying informed are key to competence.
Collaborative: I would excel in fostering teamwork and partnerships, understanding that achieving meaningful outcomes often requires collective effort. My approach would encourage open communication and shared responsibility among diverse stakeholders.
Persistence: Facing challenges head-on with a steadfast commitment to goals, I would be determined to overcome obstacles. This quality ensures that initiatives and reforms are pushed forward despite setbacks.
Dedication: With a deep commitment to the role and its responsibilities, I would work tirelessly to meet the needs of the community. This dedication means being consistently prepared and responsive, always prioritizing the constituents' interests.
Compassion: Being genuinely concerned for the well-being of others, I would ensure that policies consider the most vulnerable and strive to address inequality. Compassion in leadership helps to build trust and a sense of community.
Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others, I would listen attentively to the concerns of all constituents, aiming to make informed decisions that reflect the collective needs and aspirations. This would foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and understood.
Policy Making: Board members are responsible for establishing educational policies that reflect the values and needs of the community. They set clear goals and policies for the school district, including curriculum standards, disciplinary procedures, and budget allocations.
Budget Oversight: They oversee the financial aspects of the school district, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to maximize educational outcomes. This includes approving budgets and monitoring spending.
Educational Standards: Board members ensure that the educational standards meet or exceed state and federal guidelines. They focus on improving student achievement through effective curricular and extracurricular programs.
Hiring and Evaluation: They are involved in hiring key district personnel, such as the superintendent, and evaluating their performance. This responsibility extends to ensuring that the superintendent’s goals and actions align with board policies.
Community Engagement: Board members must engage with the community to understand their concerns and expectations. This involves regular communication with parents, teachers, and other stakeholders.
Advocacy: They advocate for the needs and interests of the school district at both local and higher government levels. This includes seeking funding, resources, and support for district initiatives.
Strategic Planning: Board members participate in long-term strategic planning for the district's future. This includes setting priorities for academic and infrastructure development to adapt to changing educational needs.
Students: Students are the primary beneficiaries of educational policies and decisions. Ensuring their diverse needs are met, from academic to emotional and social, is a fundamental responsibility.
Parents and Guardians: Parents are key stakeholders in the educational process. They rely on the board to provide a safe, effective, and enriching learning environment for their children. Engaging with parents through regular communication is essential for understanding their expectations and concerns.
Teachers and Staff: Teachers are directly affected by board decisions on curriculum, policies, and working conditions. Maintaining a supportive environment that allows teachers to thrive professionally is crucial for the overall quality of education.
Local Community Members: Even those without children in the schools have a vested interest in the quality of the education system, as it impacts the community’s well-being and property values.
Businesses and Local Organizations: Partnerships with local businesses and organizations can enhance educational opportunities through resources and real-world learning experiences. These entities are also interested in the development of a skilled future workforce.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on April 15, 2024
