Amber Waller
Amber Waller was the District 3 representative on the Prince George's County Board of Education in Maryland. She was first appointed to the board in September 2007. Waller advanced from a primary election on June 24, 2014, to face challenger Dinora A. Hernandez in the general election on November 4, 2014. Waller lost the general election.
Biography
Waller was a founding member of a community group called Washington Gas Watch Alliance. She also served as the executive director of Maryland Black Mayors, Inc. Waller has two adult children.[1]
Elections
2014
Peggy Higgins sought re-election against Lupi Grady in the general election on November 4, 2014. Races for District 3, 6 and 9 were on the primary ballot on June 24, 2014. Incumbent Amber Waller faced Dinora A. Hernandez and Clarence Emmanuel for the District 3 seat. Waller and Hernandez advanced to the general election. District 6 incumbent Carolyn M. Boston faced Pat Fletcher and Darin Kenley in the primary. Boston and Fletcher advanced to the general election. District 9 incumbent Sonya Williams faced Domonique A. Flowers, Johnnie R. Isaac and Denise M. Joseph in the primary. Williams and Flowers advanced to the general election.
Results
General
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan |  Dinora A. Hernandez |
50.2% | 5,700 | |
| Nonpartisan | Amber Waller Incumbent | 49.4% | 5,607 | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in votes | 0.3% | 39 | |
| Total Votes | 11,346 | |||
| Source: Maryland State Board of Elections, "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election Results for Prince George's County," December 2, 2014 | ||||
Primary
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Amber Waller Incumbent |
53.4% | 2,926 | |
| Nonpartisan | Dinora A. Hernandez |
29.3% | 1,605 | |
| Nonpartisan | Clarence Emmanuel | 17.3% | 948 | |
| Total Votes | 5,479 | |||
| Source: Maryland State Board of Elections, "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Prince George's County," July 16, 2014 | ||||
Funding
Waller had not reported any contributions or expenditures to the Maryland State Board of Elections as of June 6, 2014.[2]
Endorsements
Flowers was endorsed by The Gazette.[3]
2010
| Prince George's County Public Schools, District 3 General Election, 4-year term, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Nonpartisan | Amber Waller Incumbent |
62.4% | 6,611 | |
| Nonpartisan | Charles C. Coleman | 37.2% | 3,940 | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in votes | 0.3% | 37 | |
| Total Votes | 10,588 | |||
| Source: Prince George's County, "Election Summary Report," November 24, 2010 | ||||
Campaign themes
2014
Waller provided the following answers to questions from the League of Women Voters:
What are your qualifications and how does your background prepare you for this office?
| “ | Experience, accessibility, training and leadership from positions as PTA President, employment in Corporate, House of Representatives, George Washington and Trinity University, as well as being a parent with two children, have afforded me an opportunity to engage the community, get results with an emphasis on accountability and know the importance of personal involvement to get things done.[4] | ” |
| —Voter 411 Voting Guide (2014)[5] | ||
What do you consider the county’s two most pressing education issues and how would you address them?
| “ | Competitive staff and teacher compensation. Ensure resources are directed back into the classroom to support teachers as they educate our students. Further implementation of choice programs along with their accessibility to all students must continue.[4] | ” |
| —Voter 411 Voting Guide (2014)[5] | ||
Specify the policies you would advance to promote optimum working relations between the Board of Education (BOE) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in order to provide opportunity for every county public school student to graduate – college or/and workforce ready?
| “ | The Board in collaboration with the CEO on such issues as funding, programs, resources for instruction, compensation, parent and community engagement, as well as public safety, for example, is afforded a great opportunity to be engaged in good governance and accountability that would result in all students to graduate college or/and workforce ready.[4] | ” |
| —Voter 411 Voting Guide (2014)[5] | ||
What three capital improvement projects for Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) would you recommend as top priorities for the next budget?
| “ | Funding for and review of upgrading of all athletic facilities. It is imperative that our students have safe and state of the art facilities to practice and engage in sports and other activities. There are a number of PODS (temporary classrooms) located on school property, and it is necessary to decrease the number of these facilities and find other means by which to expand school classrooms.[4] | ” |
| —Voter 411 Voting Guide (2014)[5] | ||
What policies would you advance for involvement of parents and communities in the school success of every student?
| “ | It is imperative that all schools and facilities have a welcoming environment for parents. We need to communicate to the community and parents that regardless of the family’s economic, ethnic, or cultural background, parents’ active involvement in a child’s education is a major factor in determining success in school.[4] | ” |
| —Voter 411 Voting Guide (2014)[5] | ||
How would you improve communication between the Board of Education, school administration, parents and the community especially with changing demographics in Prince George’s County?
| “ | Messaging of activities and resources must be communicated through various mediums -- e.g., TV, radio, messaging boards. Translators should be available to provide resources and assistance. Community leaders and others that have had students graduate from the system should mentor parents and provide input on their experiences. Regional meetings with varying times and days should be afforded.[4] | ” |
| —Voter 411 Voting Guide (2014)[5] | ||
Why do you believe families in Prince George’s County are sending their children to private schools? What can be done to encourage families to send their children to Prince George’s County Public Schools?
| “ | Families are entitled to choices...public, private, charter or specialty schools, for example. The CEO and the Board have a responsibility to ensure that there are choice programs as well as schools that are located equitably throughout the County. Communication about the many choices, as well as resources, needs to be conveyed through the media and social outlets.[4] | ” |
| —Voter 411 Voting Guide (2014)[5] | ||
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term "Amber + Waller + Prince + George's + County + Public + Schools"
See also
- Prince George's County Public Schools, Maryland
- Prince George's County Public Schools elections (2014)
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Prince George's County Public Schools, " District 3 Board Member Amber P. Waller Biography," accessed April 28, 2014
- ↑ Maryland Campaign Reporting Information System, "View Filed Reports," accessed May 22, 2014
- ↑ The Gazette, "Best bets for the Prince George’s County school board," May 8, 2014
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Vote 411 Voting Guide, "Prince George's County Board of Education District 3," accessed October 22, 2014
| 2014 Prince George's County Public Schools Elections | |
| Upper Marlboro, Maryland | |
| Election date: | November 4, 2014 |
| Candidates: | District 2: • Lupi Grady • Peggy Higgins District 3: • Clarence Emmanuel • Dinora A. Hernandez • Amber Waller |
| Important information: | What was at stake? • Key deadlines • Additional elections on the ballot |
