Dona Cox Ostenso
Candidate for the upcoming General Election on November 3, 2026. Always verify official ballot status with the Maryland State Board of Elections.
Candidate for the Calvert County Board of Education At-Large. Veteran educator with a 35-year career in Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS), including 28 years teaching elementary school and seven years serving as President of the Calvert Education Association (CEA). Sunderland resident advocating for prioritizing resources in early childhood education (pre-K to grade 2), closing student achievement gaps, ensuring smaller class sizes, offering gifted & talented programs in every school, competitive educator retention, and transparent school board budget oversight.
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Verified Policy Stances & Platform
Public record positions, statements, and campaign positions.
Competitive Educator Pay, Retention & Safe, Inclusive School Environments
Veteran educator and former CEA President advocating for competitive teacher and support staff salaries to halt educator turnover, and investing in comprehensive student mental health.
"The safety and working conditions of our educators are the learning conditions of our students. To keep Calvert schools top-tier, we must provide competitive salaries and respect the professionals who teach our children."
Early Childhood Education Focus (Pre-K to Grade 2) & Smaller Class Sizes
Emphasizes pre-kindergarten through second grade as the most critical academic foundation, advocating for targeted classroom resources, smaller class sizes, and lighter staff caseloads to close achievement gaps.
"I want to see the closing of achievement gaps... Pre-kindergarten to grade two are the most important years for getting it right academically. I want to see us put our resources there and make it strong for all children. Safe, supportive classrooms. Always put students first. Strong schools build strong communities."
Open, Transparent School Board Fiduciary Management & Community Accountability
Recognizes tight county fiscal constraints and high community expectations, pledging open and transparent communication between school officials and taxpayers regarding all funding requests.
"As for the school board’s fiduciary responsibilities, I recognize the challenges the county faces due to a tight budget and the high expectations of spending money. It is essential for the board and school officials to be open and transparent with the community regarding any requests for funding."
Official Campaign Priorities
- Early Childhood Focus: Prioritizing academic resources in pre-K through grade 2 to close achievement gaps early
- Classroom Environment: Safe, supportive classrooms, smaller class sizes, and lighter caseloads for staff
- Gifted & Talented Programs: Expanding dedicated gifted and talented programming across every CCPS school
- Educator & Staff Retention: Competitive compensation, respect, and career retention for teachers and support staff
- Budget Transparency: Open, honest public communication on school system funding requests and expenditure priorities
Other Candidates in This Race:
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Live Activity Timeline
35-year veteran Calvert County educator and former union head Dona Ostenso is seeking an At-Large seat on the Calvert Board of Education, prioritizing early childhood education, smaller class sizes, and school budget transparency.