for Frederick County Board of Education
About Me
My name is Heather Fletcher and I am a candidate for the Frederick County Board of Education! My husband and I have proudly called Point of Rocks, MD, our home for almost 17 years, and as a mom of three beautiful school-aged children, I’m deeply committed to serving our community. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics from the University of North Dakota and began my career as an Air Traffic Controller at Joint Base Andrews with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2009. My experience in high-pressure environments has sharpened my skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, and leadership, qualities that I believe will greatly benefit the Board of Education (BOE).
After starting my family, I made the decision to leave my position at the FAA to be a homemaker. Being home has allowed me to engage in various educational settings alongside my children, including preschool, public school, homeschool, and private school. My involvement has provided me with valuable insights into the educational needs of our community.
Almost five years ago, I brought a concern to the BOE, believing the problem would be resolved right away. Unfortunately, my concerns were ignored. I decided to do more research, and my inquiry uncovered several significant issues. I believe every resident of Frederick County should know the following information:
1. Critical Gender Theory in Education: Since 2018, Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) has integrated Critical Gender Theory into the Family Life and Human Sexuality Curriculum for middle and high school students. The Maryland Comprehensive Health Education Framework, adopted in March 2022, also incorporates this theory. Many parents, doctors, and mental health professionals are concerned about its potential impact on children's health and well-being. In 2022, FCPS approved teaching Critical Gender Theory beginning in Pre-K. Maryland updated the Maryland Comprehensive Health Education Framework this year and no longer recommends starting to teach this theory before 5th grade. Although Maryland adopted the updated framework in February 2026, FCPS has not yet adopted the updated framework.
2. Mental Health: In 2021, Maryland lowered the age of consent for mental health from 16 years old to 12 years old. In September 2024, FCPS partnered with Greenspace Health to launch Basecamp, a digital platform offering students behavioral health support, psychoeducation, preventative resources, bi-weekly mental health check-ins, and self-guided resources that can lead to unregulated chat rooms. Students in 6th grade or higher can sign up for their own account on their school Chromebooks. In 2024, Maryland also passed a law requiring each county board of education to adopt and implement a student telehealth policy and requiring public middle and high schools to designate a private space where students can participate in telehealth appointments during the school day. These appointments can include access to health care and behavioral health professionals.
3. FCPS Policy 443: This policy allows students to access bathrooms, locker rooms, overnight accommodations, and sports teams that they choose. Policy 443 also prohibits teachers and staff from disclosing if a student is socially or medically transitioning to parents/guardians for children 12 years old and older.
4. Testing Concerns: In 2022, Maryland lowered the standards of the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) by reducing test times and changing test criteria. Starting in the 2026–27 school year, a brand-new test will be introduced that is not solely dependent on raw English, math, and science scores, changing the standard once again and making it impossible to track student progress over time. Despite performing better than some districts, FCPS still falls short of meeting our children's needs. Last year, 36% of students failed English Language Arts, 61.5% failed Math, and 58.6% of 8th graders failed Science, all while costing taxpayers nearly a billion dollars.
As a former Air Traffic Controller for Air Force One, I’m dedicated to guiding FCPS in a better direction focused on academic excellence, parental rights, fiscal responsibility, and school safety. Together, we can create a brighter future for our children!
Thank you for your support! I’m excited to work together to protect our children!