The Harford County House Delegation met this morning and voted unanimously in favor of the elected school board bill, HB 629. All 8 members of the delegation were present and voted to support the bill.
The proposed legislation would expand the school board to nine members, with six members elected within each of the six Harford County Council Districts and three members appointed by the Governor.
Districts A,B, and D are up first in 2010, then C, E, and F in 2012.
A similar bill has been filed in the State Senate as SB 629 with the support of all three senators representing Harford County. The House version, HB 639 has a hearing scheduled for next Tuesday, February 17th at 1 P.M. before the House Ways and Means Committee. The Senate hearing is scheduled for March 4th.
I’m glad that Delegate Mary Dulany-James was present for the delegation vote and was in favor of the bills. I’m hopeful that NO last minute amendments are made to alter the bills in any way.
Wait- MDJ now voted FOR the bill? She abstained and missed a vote before, and worked hard to kill it behind closed doors, and now votes for it?
Smokey,
That’s exactly why I said what I did. After what she did last year, she’s making it almost too easy this year. It makes you wonder what she’s up to…
It’s clear what MDJ is up to. Isn’t she up for re-election next year? Well, this is one voter who will NOT forget the roadblocks she has thrown in front of this initiative over the last couple of years and I intend to strongly support her ouster.
Regard the bill…although it is a step in the right direction, I am still concerned. Why do we need a 9 member BOE? Why do we need any appointed members?
Lew- The need for appointed members should be obvious to anyone who has followed the debate over elected school boards.
POLITICAL appointments are made for political reasons. THOSE members will have the agendas handed down to them from on high, while committed elected members who have the interest of the school system and the stakeholders at heart will act in the best interest of the students.
This “compromise” legislation will insure that the BOE continues to serve two masters- the people of Harford County, and the State House.
Dell, do you actually believe that elected board members will be committed in their interest for the school system? I surely don’t and do not trust an elected school board. I have had friends and family from other states who tell the same story. The are just politicians who say what you want to hear just to get elected. Once elected they will do what they want to do,just like any other elected official. Remember they are smarter and wiser than yo so ask no questions and follow along .Also, many will use this as a stepping stone for other political. offices. One out of state family member of mine has related stories that their elected school board members have had recall votes and voted out members who promised one thing but promoted their agenda by those who backed him.
The elected school board would be no different then they way Harford county officials are elected today. They are controlled by the developers and do what the developers want them to do. Just look at campaign finance reports and you will see,
“Remember they are smarter and wiser than you so ask no questions and follow along .”
Did you mean to add “just like the current appointed board?”
I get that politicians write stump speeches and make campaign promises. I understand that talk is cheap.
This appointed board has exercised poor judgement, arrogance to the point of hubris, and a complete disregard for the wishes of their constituency.
When an elected official engages in these behaviors, the people they represent have the option-no, THE DUTY- to replace them in the next election.
What recourse do the people here have when they aren’t satisfied with the conduct and policies of this appointed board?
Complain? Done it.
Protest? Done it.
One of my esteemed collaborators on this site once quoted “the people get the government they deserve.” Although on a separate topic, it applies here.
The people of this county DESERVE the right to decide who will represent them, if for no other reason than the HUGE capital outlay that is at the Board’s disposal every year.
Let us decide for ourselves. Maybe we’re smarter and wiser than you give us credit for…
I’ve lived in 3 other states that had Elected school Boards. In all 3 cases, the districts were smaller than Harford County. The last district I lived had a school board that was very responsive to the taxpayers and were fiscally very responsible with MY money. The schools building were well maintained, and new schools were built in a timely fashion. Academically, it was one of the best districts in the state. The lean and mean administation for 20,000 students was housed in about 4 trailers next to one of the high schools.
I don’t see a problem with Elected School Board members aspiring to higher office. If they do a good job, I’ll support them, if they don’t, I won’t. Would you hire someone who has no aspirations for a promotion?? Having an accountable school board will require a major change of thinking, a “paradigm shift” as they say on Hickory Ave. But it can’t be worse than we have now. Now, we’re arguing about how much homework counts and whether teachers can hand out treats, instead of why are our SAT’s falling and our class sizes rising.
ELECT the Board. I will donate money to a good candidate who opposes Mary D-James. And if she ever runs for the Senate (I would be in her district) I will vote against her and rally others to do the same.
If the board was responsive to not implimenting the current block schedule, taking better care of buildings and building them right in the first place, responding in a timely way to information requests, controling the non-responsive central system staff and having a better communications system I would not care so much about an elected board. The board’s of the past 15 years have dreated the unrest and its time for a change. MDJ included!