As proud as we all are of our public schools, sometimes it takes inside knowledge to perceive what a great job Montgomery County Public Schools really does educating our kids. And that's important knowledge for our elected officials to have, especially in the midst of state and local fiscal crises that threaten school budgets.

Cheryl Kagan, candidate for the State Senate from the mid-county District 17, is a K-12 graduate of our county school system, has been a substitute teacher in county schools, is the sister of one teacher and married to another. She knows from many angles and perspectives both the strengths of the system and problems it faces. She's lived through the huge demographic changes in our county over the past 30 years that have made our schools much more ethnically, linguistically and economically diverse, and understands the opportunities and challenges those changes represent.

Kagan is the kind of engaged, energetic leader we need now in Annapolis to ensure that our public schools are not shortchanged in the coming budget battles. I urge the voters of District 17 (Rockville, Gaithersburg and Garrett Park) to join me in supporting Cheryl Kagan in the Democratic primary on Sept. 14.

Tracee Matthias, Silver Spring

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