I am grateful the governor had the good sense not to appoint Maggie Kennedy. She would have been another in the mold of the "Yes sir, Dr. Hairston!" board. I hope the new members are able to carry on the work of John Hayden. He was a board member who worked on behalf of the children and community of Baltimore County...not the personal and financial interests of individual adults.

Unlike the previous poster, I deeply regret that Maggie Kennedy was not appointed to the Board. She would have been an independent voice and an advocate for all of our children. What we got and did not need was a former employee of the Homan/Smith administration, which has acted with callous disregard to the children of Towson. Time will tell if this new member can be trusted, or will just say "Yes sir, Mr. Homan."

I was sorry to hear that Maggie was not appointed to the Baltimore County School Board. I have known of Maggie's volunteer work through PTA and Advisory Council work for many years. She is an advocate for all children in the public schools.
In this time of so few speaking up for public education, let alone working for strong public education she would have been an asset for all children as a member of the Board.

Wouldn't it have been a conflict of interest to appoint Maggie Kennedy to the BCPS Board of Education when she is employed by one of the vendors doing business with BCPS?

Maggie Kennedy was far more qualified than the unknown political appointees, Valerie Roddy (former employee of County Manager Fred Homan}, Delores Kelley's appointmenet (the unknown Math teacher who is 70 years old) and David Uhlfelder (semi-retired CPA).

Mrs. Kennedy had devoted not only her career to ensuring that childrean can comprehend what they read, but will also be successful in life.

To appoint to 70 year old men with no community sense defies common sense.

I write on behalf of children not adults. Politics be damned. I fall on the side of the future, the children of Baltimore County.

As a former board member I am appalled by the many former board members with conflicts. Can one sell investment policies to school system employees and be on the board? Can can one reward public schools with private funds and be on the board? Can a TABCO board member lead a local school advisory council? Can a former PTA Council president and Maryland PTA Vice president misuse PTA funds with a Md. PTA credit card credit card, be a conflicted felon and the leaders cover-up his sins?

Can a current school board member counter sign questionable checks as a former PTA VP without the treasurer's knowledge?

Can TABCO hiss and boo parents at a budget meeting and not expect parents to resent their immature behavior at board meetings?

Grow up!!!!!!
People living in glass houses should not throw stones.

Maggie Kennedy does what is right for all children. She defies political powers and superintendents. She focuses on student achievement and speaks her mind.
She has volunteered 1,000's of hours. That is why TABCO recognized her in 2006 for her outstanding community contributions.

What a huge error in judgment was made when Maggie Kennedy was not appointed to the BCPS board. Maggie has done more to support student achievement than current school board members, She has volunteered at community and parent workshops, worked with countless children, gave up a very lucrative national career to give back to the school community. She has supported Baltimore County FEA (Future Teachers of America), volunteered at the new teacher orientation and mentored many a new educator. I would not be in graduate school without her guidance. She recently gave 2 weeks of her time to work with struggling readers. She is employed by a vendor but reigned from the position to serve. Ask Peter O'Malley, he knows.

It's supposed to be about the children and what is best for them. Maggie Kennedy would have been the best choice for the children. As an educator, PTA volunteer, Advisory Council member, and an advocate for all children, how could O'Malley have been so foolish not to appoint her. More of Homan and Smith's cronies on the board will only add board members who have Smith's agenda and their own best interests at heart, NOT THE CHILDREN OF BALTIMORE COUNTY!

It is ironic that writers would bring up conficts of interests when Kennedy has her own, as well as those of her "buddies" in BCPS. I wish someone would think of the children instead of the adults....and that would not be the group represented by Maggie Kennedy. Perhaps the new board members will bring back ethical decision making.

I am a Baltimore County teacher and the teachers union did not get a school board member appointed because of poor strategy and picketing the county executive's office over pay raises. TABCO could have had across the board raises if they were not focused merely on new membership.Ironic? Give it up Chris. There is personal power and position power.

For the record, Maggie encouraged me to become a teacher and I am one of many teachers she has taken under her wing.

Maggie Kennedy currently volunteers and leads the Maryland Education Coalition, a statewide group,She was tapped because she is an effective leader. She has worked tirelessly for a decade on numerous issues. She stepped forward to bring people from across the county together. She demanded respect for parents and advocates. She worked with many and brought together forces to assure teacher salary equity, increased salaries for building administrators, adequate school facilities, state and federal funding, an aligned curriculum, a special ed audit, the PDK audit, and reached out to parents when PTA Council sidestepped local issues such as overcrowding, additions and air conditioning.
Her humble personality never once took credit for what she worked behind the scenes to accomplish. And yes she did put some rowdy teachers at a school board meeting in their place when the school board president ignored ridiculous behavior and lacked leadership. Teachers apologized to her as they exited in mass after she challenged them about their outrageous behavior.
. For the record, she no longer leads a group in Baltimore County and is not employed by the school system, When she worked contractually with the county,she donated half of her hours without pay. She supported teachers, students and parents. She always goes above and beyond. She donated her time and provided parent workshops, worked with local school PTA leadership, mentored teachers, and took a special interest in struggling young readers. Furthermore, Chris, the new board members are starting off with a bang. One did not show up to the work session retreat, one thought the board of education was an arm of the county government, rather than a separate entity.
As a Baltimore County teacher, I am proud to be one of her many buddies. Maggie has always put children first and it is obvious the previous writer is unaware of the wave of school administrators,teachers,parents, and community leaders that contacted the county executive, appointment secretary and governor to express support and disappointment she was not appointed.

This does not begin to describe my own experience. I am very uneasy with the buddy system that represents the way in which Kennedy operates.

Mark did not include the disrespectful and unwarranted verbal attack on a board member, another of Kennedy's friends and employee of the district. I am saddened by the terrible decline of a once great school system. At least we don't have to contend with Kennedy's appointment.

As the year progressess, I am more grateful than ever that the governor wisely chose not to appoint Kennedy. BCPS needs someone to speak for the children without the politics and economics in the way.

I am so pleased that someone has the integrity to stand up to Kennedy and her buddies and keep her off the board. I am sure her employer was disappointed.