Pushing for elected school boards... again
Advocates in various counties across Maryland are teaming up to lobby for elected school boards in their respective systems.
The newly created Maryland Coalition for Elected Boards of Education includes representatives from Baltimore County, Caroline County, Harford County and Baltimore City.
In a press release: "Only 7 out of 24 school boards in Maryland are still appointed by the governor. The group maintains that the time has come for all Maryland citizens to have the right to elect their own board of education." (Baltimore's board is jointly appointed by the mayor and the governor.)
Last year, Republican Del. Barry Glassman drafted a bill that would have phased in a blend of elected and appointed board members in Harford County, but that measure was stymied in committee. This year, Sen. Glassman has introduced a bill requiring that all members of the Harford County School Board be elected.
We debated the pros and cons of elected vs. appointed boards here not too long ago... which structure do you prefer?
Categories: Around the Region, Baltimore City, Baltimore County
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Comments
This is a hot topic in Harford County. We had some good discussion that included parents, teachers, and politicians on The Dagger: http://www.daggerpress.com/2008/01/03/%e2%80%9ca-republic-if-you-can-keep-it%e2%80%9d-part-i/
Posted by: Steve | February 7, 2008 8:10 AM
How accurate is a survey that gives teachers who are also parents more than one vote? Teacher parents received surveys as employees and as parents, so they had at least two votes (and maybe more depending on how many surveys came home with their kids).
We are parents of two Harford school children who are against uniforms. We believe the schools should simply enforce the current dress code instead of ignoring it, and let our youth have their healthy self-expression.
Posted by: Two Against Uniforms | February 19, 2008 9:15 AM
We've lived in five different states and several different towns/communities, and this is the only place where our school board is politically appointed. We are in favor of electing a school board so the people have a say in who is representing our children, teachers and administrators. We hope the bills in favor of an elected school board will be approved.
Posted by: Elect a Board Now | February 19, 2008 9:17 AM