Delegation holds school board bill
Ron Cassie, The Examiner
Annapolis -
The Baltimore County state Senate delegation decided Thursday afternoon to table a bill that would have created a hybrid school board of appointed and elected members.
Sen. Bobby Zirken, D-11, sponsor of the legislation, said that he remains committed to at least a partially-elected board and will only table the legislation until next year when a broadly-supported plan can be put together.
“This bill wasn’t going to take effect until 2010 anyhow, so there is still time to get this done,” Zirkin said. “I guarantee I’ll be introducing some type of similar legislation next year. This gives us a chance to put all the ideas on the table and get everyone on the same page.”
Zirkin said he would consider all options over the summer, including using a judicial-style process for selecting school board members. Judges are initially appointed, but then must run for election. He’d also consider deciding the issue by voter referendum or having an 11-member board made up of seven elected and four appointed members, he said.
Similar legislation introduced in the Senate would have split the board into seven elected, seven appointed and one student member.
“We have 12 members and that bill would push it 15,” said school board member Meg O’Hare, pointing out that larger counties like Prince George’s and Montgomery have school boards half that size. “Nobody would be able to get anything done.”
O’Hare said she also opposed the idea of having the county council, county executive and governor all involved in the appointment process - as stated in that legislation.
“It brings too many politicians into the process with their own agendas,” O’Hare said.
State Sen. Norman Stone (D-6) said the delegation met with County Executive Jim Smith, who opposed the legislation.
