Omar Lazo Announces Candidacy for Montgomery County Board of Education, At-Large
Montgomery County, MD — Community leader, small-business owner, and longtime education advocate Omar Lazo today announced his candidacy for the Montgomery County Board of Education, At-Large. A father of three daughters currently in Montgomery County Public Schools—with one in elementary school, one in high school, and one enrolled in the Early College program at Montgomery College—Lazo enters the race with a deeply personal commitment to strengthening the school system for every family.
“For me, this work is personal,” Lazo said. “I’ve seen firsthand the impact our educators have had on my daughters, and I’ve also seen the challenges our students and schools face—from the fentanyl crisis to mental health needs, opportunity gaps, overcrowded classrooms, and budget pressures. I’m running because every child in our county deserves a safe, supportive, and high-quality education.”
For more than two decades, Lazo has been a champion for equity and opportunity across Montgomery County. He has worked with diverse community organizations, supported immigrant families, and helped expand economic and workforce development opportunities for underserved residents. His long record of service includes leadership on issues ranging from food insecurity to youth empowerment to culturally responsive outreach.
Lazo currently serves on the Montgomery College Board of Trustees, where he played a central role in the selection of the institution’s new president and helped guide Montgomery College to become Maryland’s first Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and a federally recognized Minority-Serving Institution (MSI)—a milestone achievement that will expand access, resources, and student support for thousands of local families.
He has also been an outspoken advocate for comprehensive fentanyl education and prevention, partnering with county, state agencies, schools, and community groups to inform parents and save lives. “We cannot ignore this epidemic,” Lazo said. “Our families deserve a Board Member who treats student safety as a top priority.”
As a business leader with decades of experience in operations, budgeting, and strategic planning, Lazo says the Board of Education needs members prepared to navigate a changing fiscal landscape. “We are entering a period where our school system will be asked to do more with less,” he emphasized. “MCPS needs someone at the table who understands budgets, who has managed complex organizations, and who will fight to protect classroom resources even when dollars are tight. My business background has prepared me to step up to that challenge.”
Lazo’s priorities for the Board include:
Strengthening student safety and fentanyl prevention efforts
Expanding equity initiatives that support multilingual learners, immigrant families, and underserved communities
Improving transparency and communication with parents, educators, and students
Protecting classroom funding and ensuring fiscal responsibility during budget challenges
Supporting teacher recruitment and retention, including multilingual and culturally competent educators
Ensuring that MCPS students have clear pathways to college and careers
“Montgomery County is one of the most diverse places in America, and our Board of Education should reflect the lived experiences of the families it serves,” Lazo said. “I’m ready to bring my experience as a father, education advocate, workforce development advocate, and trustee to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed.”
For more information about the campaign, please contact:
Omar Lazo
omarlazo4boe@gmail.com
240-600-1156
