Mrs. Skebeck is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She received her Master of Education in Elementary Education from Towson State University and went on for postgraduate work at Loyola College in Baltimore, Maryland.

Her career in the field of education began in 1964 as a fi rst grade teacher at Mars Estates Elementary School in the Baltimore County Public School system. In 1979, she made the move to the Harford County Public School System touching the lives of third grade students at Hillsdale Elementary School before accepting a position as a Teaching Assistant Principal at Meadowvale Elementary School in 1987. She moved on to a non-teaching Assistant Principal placement at Youth’s Benefit Elementary School in 1989. As the principal of Hall’s Cross Roads Elementary School from 1990 until 1996 and then at William Paca/Old Post Road Elementary School, Mrs. Skebeck implemented many academic and outreach programs for the students and surrounding communities until becoming the Executive Director of Elementary Education in 1997.

Mrs. Skebeck has served as the Chairperson of the Elementary Grading and Reporting Committee for Harford County Public Schools, as well as serving on the Statewide Task Force on Norm-Referenced Testing and as part of the Statewide Educator Talent Pool, serving in an advisory capacity for the Maryland State Department of Education. In 1994, Mrs. Skebeck was recognized for her outstanding contributions to the education field when she was presented with the prestigious Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award.

“Mrs. Skebeck has nearly 30 years of experience with Harford County Public Schools having been a teacher, administrator, and an executive director,” Board of Education President Patrick L. Hess commented. “In this difficult time, the Board needed to select someone who could help us continue the work initiated by Dr. Haas until a permanent Superintendent is found. We felt that Mrs. Skebeck was the right person for the job.”

The Board will work in conjunction with the Maryland Association of Boards of Education to begin a nationwide superintendent search that will begin immediately in order to allow a permanent superintendent to be appointed by July 2009.

“I have known Jackie Haas my entire career with Harford County Public Schools having taught along side of her,” stated HCPS Interim Superintendent Patricia Skebeck. “There is no way to replace Jackie, I am honored that I have the opportunity to carry on her legacy by moving Harford County Public Schools forward through this devastating time in order to fulfi ll our mission.”

The Board of Education is expected to meet today and Harford County Executive David Craig has already sent a message to Board President Patrick Hess offering to support and meet with the Board and Administrative staff and do whatever he can to provide comfort to students, staff, and citizens and ensure a smooth transition.

Sen. Nancy Jacobs reacted with shock and grief to the news of Mrs. Haas’ death. Jacobs said she had a personal relationship with Mrs. Haas unlike any of the many other previous superintendents she had seen come and go in Harford County.

“I think the last time I saw Jackie was at a benefit volleyball tournament for the Edgewood schools a month or so ago. My daughter taught at Edgewood Elementary and has taken a leave of absence since her daughter was born. She still attends a lot of functions at the school, as do several other teachers who recently had babies. The girls’ husbands all played for the Edgewood Elementary team and they dressed the kids/babies up as little Eagles. Jackie came and made such a fuss over the babies. She spent the entire evening there cheering the schools on. She didn’t have to do that,” Jacobs said.

“I sent her our annual family Christmas card a few weeks ago and she immediately sent me a very sweet email commenting on the kids. That email meant a lot to me then and now it’s taken on even greater meaning to me that speaks to the kind of person she was,” Jacobs added.

“I’ve never had that kind of personal relationship with any of the previous superintendents and I’ve seen a number of them come and go over the years. Not only was she a good administrator, she was a very good, kind woman who cared about the children of Harford County,” Jacobs said.

Here is the official announcement from Harford County Public Schools:

HCPS mourns loss of Superintendent Haas

Harford County Public School Superintendent Dr. Jacqueline C. Haas died suddenly on Tuesday, December 30th, due to complications with asthma.

Dr. Haas is a 36-year educator, having spent much of her career in general education, as well as working with severely and profoundly handicapped children. A graduate of the University of Delaware with a Master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Haas earned her doctoral degree from the University of Maryland.

Humbly accepting many honors and awards throughout her 11-year tenure as Superintendent, Dr. Haas was named Maryland Superintendent of the Year for the 2008 school year by the Public Schools Superintendents Association of Maryland. She was highly respected and admired by her peers throughout the state of Maryland and the country, earning Harford County Public Schools and colleagues many accolades and recognition through her leadership and efforts.

She taught in Harford public schools for 13 years before becoming an Assistant Principal at Prospect Mill Elementary in 1990. She served as principal at Edgewood Elementary School for five years and was promoted to be Assistant Superintendent for Education Services in July 1997. Dr. Haas was named Interim Superintendent of Harford’s public schools by the Board of Education of Harford County on March 16, 1998 and was reappointed for the 1998-99 school year on June 8, 1998.

In July 1999, the Board unanimously appointed Dr. Haas for her fi rst full four-year term as Superintendent. She has subsequently been reappointed for two additional four-year terms. On July 1, 2007 she began her third four-year term.

Dr. Haas was a woman of extraordinary achievement whose dedication to students was evident in every decision she made. She cared deeply about every employee and had high expectations for both students and staff. Her enthusiasm for learning was contagious and she touched everyone she came in contact with. Dr. Haas’ legacy of leadership and commitment to students will endure.

She leaves behind not only her husband Jim, a retired Harford County Public School Special Education and Social Studies teacher, their two sons, Rob, who is a 1999 graduate of Aberdeen High School, and Steven, a 2003 graduate of Harford Technical High School, but thousands of former students and colleagues that remember her humble leadership, dedication, and boundless enthusiasm for education.

A public viewing will be held Saturday, January 3rd from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Tarring-Cargo Funeral Home on 333 S. Parke Street in Aberdeen. A family memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 4th at 4:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Aberdeen. HCPS is planning a school system memorial service to be held Wednesday, January 7th, time and location to be determined. In addition to flowers, donations may be made to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Here is an updated obituary for Mrs. Haas distributed on Thursday:

Dr. Jacqueline C. Haas, Superintendent of the Harford County Public Schools since March, 1998, died at Harford Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, December 30, 2008. Dr. Haas, 59, was a public school special education teacher, helping teacher, assistant, principal, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent for 36 years. The reigning Maryland Superintendent of the Year, Dr. Haas served on many state and national education committees and was a trusted advisor to State Superintendent Nancy S. Grasmick.

Dr. Haas was born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas and moved to the Newark, Delaware area, graduating from high school there before enrolling at the University of Delaware where she earned a degree in special education. She began her career as an educator in Delaware, working with students with severe and profound disabilities before coming to Harford County to teach at the John Archer Special School in 1977. Later, she was named a helping teacher in special education and was subsequently appointed assistant principal at Prospect Mill Elementary School in 1990 where she served for two years before being selected as principal at Edgewood Elementary School in 1992.

In 1997, she was named Assistant Superintendent for Education Services, a position in which she had oversight responsibilities for the instructional program in the Harford County Public Schools. In March, 1998, she was named Interim Superintendent of the Harford Public Schools by the Board of Education of Harford County. In October of that year, the Board named her Superintendent and she was appointed to subsequent four-year terms as Superintendent in 1999, 2003, and 2007. Dr. Haas, who earned her master’s degree from the Johns Hopkins University and her Ed.D. from the University of Maryland, was in her eleventh year as Superintendent of Harford County Public Schools at the time of her death. Her third term as Superintendent was due to have been completed in June, 2011.

Under Dr. Haas’ leadership, the Harford County Public Schools maintained its student achievement ranking in the upper quartile of school systems in Maryland. The school system made major advances in the areas of secondary school reform, curriculum revision, and leadership reorganization. The first ever countywide secondary school redistricting was recommended by the Superintendent and approved and implemented by the Board of Education in 2007. During her term as Superintendent, one new elementary school and a combined middle/high school were constructed and opened. In addition, several elementary schools and two high schools were modernized. The school system is in the midst of completing the replacement of two high schools, the construction of two new elementary schools, and the modernization/replacement of an elementary school. According to her husband Jim, she was most proud of establishing diversity amongst the senior level leadership and hoped that it would carry forward as her legacy.

Dr. Haas is survived by her husband, Jim, a retired Harford County Public School special education and social studies teacher; and their two sons, Rob, 26, and Steven, 23. Rob was graduated from Aberdeen High School in 1999, while Stephen is a 2003 graduate of Harford Technical High School. She is also survived by her brother Skip Cordes of Philadelphia, PA; and sisters, Cathy Jo Zimmerman of Newark, DE, and Debbie Cordes of Aberdeen.

Friends may call at the Tarring-Cargo Funeral Home in Aberdeen on Saturday, January 3rd, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. The family will hold a memorial service, which is open to the public, on Sunday, January 4th, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Aberdeen from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Harford County Public Schools will also have a Celebration of Life ceremony on Wednesday, January 7th, at Aberdeen High School from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Donations may be made in Dr. Haas’ memory to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, 1233 20th St., NW, Suite 402, Washington, DC, 20036. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.tarringcargo.com.

On Monday morning, Harford County Executive David Craig paid tribute to Dr. Haas:

County Executive Craig Pays Tribute to Dr. Haas

(Bel Air, MD - January 5, 2009) - - County Executive David R. Craig today shared his thoughts regarding the untimely death of Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jacqueline C. Haas who died December 30, 2008 due to complications from asthma.

“Harford County has lost one of its finest,” County Executive Craig stated. “Dr. Haas was a devoted wife, mother, a 36-year career educator and the Maryland State Superintendent of the Year for 2008. All of Harford County is saddened by the loss of this truly outstanding woman and a pioneer in our school system,” Craig added.

Superintendent Haas taught in Harford County public schools for 13 years before being named an assistant principal at Prospect Mill Elementary School in 1990. A few years later she was promoted to principal at Edgewood Elementary School and then Assistant Superintendent for Education Services in 1997 by former Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jeffrey Grotzky.

Upon Dr. Grotzky’s departure from the school system, Dr. Haas was elevated to Interim Superintendent of Schools in March 1998, and ultimately Superintendent of Schools for Harford County.

“Jackie Haas was one of the finest educators I had the pleasure of being associated with during my 34 years as a teacher and administrator in the Harford County Public Schools,” County Executive Craig stated. “She was one of the strongest advocates for children I ever knew and worked hard to make our school system one of the finest in the state. She will be sorely missed,” the county executive remarked.

Mrs. Haas, who was named Maryland Superintendent of the Year for 2007-2008, was a teacher in Harford County for more than a dozen years before advancing to assistant principal in 1990 and assistant superintendent just seven years later. On March 16, 1998, Mrs. Haas was appointed Interim Superintendent of Harford’s Public Schools - a position that would become permanent six months later.

From her biography on the Harford County Public Schools web site:

Dr. Jacqueline C. Haas , is a 36-year educator having spent much of her career in general education, as well as working with severely and profoundly handicapped children. A graduate of the University of Delaware with a Master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Haas earned her doctoral degree from the University of Maryland. She taught in Harford public schools for 13 years before becoming an Assistant Principal at Prospect Mill Elementary in 1990. She served as principal at Edgewood Elementary School for five years and was promoted to be Assistant Superintendent for Education Services in July 1997. Dr. Haas was named Interim Superintendent on March 16, 1998 and was reappointed for the 1998-99 school year June 8, 1998. On November 9, 1998, the Board of Education of Harford County unanimously appointed Dr. Haas to be Superintendent of Harford County Public Schools. Her first four-year term was from July 1, 1999 through June 30, 2003. On July 1, 2007 she began her third four-year term. Dr. Haas and her husband Jim, retired, have two sons and live in Aberdeen. Their older son is a 1999 graduate of Aberdeen High School, while their younger son is a 2003 graduate of Harford Technical High School.

First came the surprise announcement on December 8th by County Executive David Craig, Board of Education President Pat Hess and Superintendent Jacqueline Haas that priorities had suddenly flipped. Red Pump Elementary, which had already been put out for bid and was to be completed by 2010, would be put on hold indefinitely. And the Board would move ahead with Campus Hills Elementary, which lags a year behind Red Pump in the planning process, is located outside the development envelope and is served by a congested intersection that will require dwindling state dollars to improve.

The County Council objected because they were not informed, let alone consulted, about the choice of which school to build. The Council approved the budget for both projects and they are key decision makers on issues surrounding the schools, including zoning, traffic and access to public utilities. The Council hinted that they might hold up the necessary approvals until their concerns were addressed.

The Council’s reaction prompted Board President Pat Hess to do a mea culpa, taking the blame for failing to notify the Council. But Hess’s version of events was contradicted days later by fellow Board member John Smilko, who said the County Executive was supposed to inform the Council.

At Monday’s Board of Education meeting, Smilko went on to suggest that there were plenty of reasons for the Board’s decision, but rather than articulate them, Smilko blasted the Council for “braying” about being left out of the loop. He said the Board would not reconsider their choice of Campus Hills and threatened to “fill the Council chambers with angry parents” if the Council did anything other than approve the move.

What Smilko didn’t mention was that comprehensive redistricting is being planned to bring enrollments in line with capacity at all of the over crowded schools in the area, including Prospect Mill, Fountain Green, Forest Lakes and Hickory Elementary, utilizing the 696 new seats that will be provided by whichever new school is built, be it Red Pump or Campus Hills.

Apparently not content to bite the hand that feeds the schools, Smilko went on to speculate about the reasons for the Council’s discontent, saying they were perhaps upset that they “didn’t get the credit for saving money” when the Board decided to build one school instead of two, adding “there’s no need to thank” the Board for their actions. No worries there.

But you have to wonder where the vitriol came from. No one has questioned the decision to build one school instead of two; it’s the choice of schools that needs to be justified to the people who pay the bills and to their representatives on the Council.

Finally, at Tuesday night’s County Council meeting, President Billy Boniface asked Education Liaison Dick Slutzky, who represents Aberdeen and Churchville, to gather more information about the reason for the choice of one school over the other and the relative cost factors involved, and to report back to the Council. Councilwoman Roni Chenowith, who represents Fallston, said she was amazed the Board of Education thinks the Council should not question how funds are spent and Councilman Dion Guthrie was just getting warmed up, saying Smilko’s comments were totally uncalled for, when President Boniface intervened.

Councilman Slutzky had already noted in the days following the decision that the factors cited by the Board to justify the choice of Campus Hills over Red Pump, i.e. declining budget revenues, declining enrollment and problems with water and sewer, affected each of the proposed projects.

Now it turns out that one of those factors was overstated by Harford County Public Schools. Here’s the relevant excerpt from the HCPS press release:

“However, recently released school enrollment data for the 2008 – 2009 school year, revealed a sharp drop system-wide in elementary school enrollment. Specifically, elementary student enrollment declined by more than 850 students this year.”

A drop of 850 students in one year would be sharp, but the number is way off. As Dagger Reader Larry discovered, the actual decline in elementary school enrollment was 175 students, a figure which has since been confirmed by school system personnel. There may still be justification for building one school instead of two, but considering the rising level of intrigue, it’s important to get the facts straight.

So what’s next? The Council will likely take up the matter at a future meeting and will decide whether to grant the necessary approvals.

Whatever the outcome, there will be another level of impact below the surface that often occurs whenever a new school is built. Such as, who the winners and losers will be in the shelter industry when moratoriums are lifted in the surrounding school districts.

This year, we’ll also get to see who has applied for up-zoning when the latest rezoning requests are made public - the deadline for filing was December 15th. And if Campus Hills ultimately gets the nod, who will argue that public water and sewer should be extended from the edge of the development envelope out to the new school and therefore, to all of the lucky landowners in between.

Warrior team members include Gary Wasielewski, Liz Nemeth, Tara Phillips, Rick Hauf, Blaine Hawley, Doug Heeter, Heather Crawford, Donna Hott, Roz Milore, Bob Young, Justin Mangold, Chris Yancone, Thomas Dennison, and many more!

Tickets are $8.00 in advance for students and senior citizens, $10 for general admission, and $10 and $12 at the gate. Refreshments and souvenirs will be available. Tickets are available at each City school or by calling Amanda at 410.942.0639.

For more information about the Harlem Wizards, you may visit their website - www.harlemwizards.com, and for more information about the game, you can may call or email Amanda Shaffer at 410.942.0639 or AmandaShaffer@hdgmsptsa.org.

Prior to the planned announcement, Red Pump Elementary was the school system’s top priority for new elementary school construction.

Sources tell The Dagger the Harford County Council has questioned the move, since Schucks Road Elementary is outside the development envelope and is not expected to have access to public water and sewer, while Red Pump is expected to have access at a future date.

Questions have also been raised as to whether the change in prioritization could be an effort to avoid controversial redistricting decisions.

When reached for comment, County Councilman Richard Slutzky, who represents the Aberdeen and Churchville District E and is Education Liaison to the Board of Education, said delaying the Schucks Road school would have been more appropriate due to traffic and other issues at that site, including the lack of access to public water and sewer.

Slutzky also noted Red Pump Elementary already had a completed design, which would require adjustments to fit the Schucks Road property.

Here’s the official county press release:

(Bel Air, MD – December 9, 2008) - - Harford County Executive David R. Craig Monday evening appeared before the Board of Education of Harford County and formally requested the Board delay further work and construction on the Red Pump Elementary School. The county executive was joined in his recommendation by Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jacqueline C. Haas and President of the Board of Education Patrick Hess.

Prior to the Board meeting, County Executive Craig, Superintendent Haas and President Hess held a press conference outlining their rationale for suspending the school project.

“Since taking office in 2005, I have demonstrated my commitment to education and unprecedented support of the school system’s Capital Improvement Program,” County Executive Craig stated. “This year alone, the County Executive and County Council have committed more than $120 million to fund capital projects of the school system,” Craig remarked.

One of the previous priorities for Harford County Public Schools and Harford County Government was the construction of two new elementary schools; one north of Bel Air and a second in the vicinity of Schucks Road and MD RT 22 near Campus Hills. However, recently released school enrollment data for the 2008 – 2009 school year, revealed a sharp drop system-wide in elementary school enrollment. Specifically, elementary student enrollment declined by more than 850 students this year.

Early last week, Superintendent Haas and President Hess met with County Executive Craig and advised that due to declining enrollment and system-wide balancing enrollment next year, there was no need for the county to fund construction of two elementary schools. School officials also recommended the county suspend construction of the proposed Red Pump Elementary School and move forward instead with an elementary school in the Campus Hills area.

Commenting on the recommendation, Dr. Haas stated, “Three main factors remain at the forefront of our decision to make this recommendation to the Board – declining elementary enrollment, the close proximity of the Schucks Road property to the epicenter of our capacity issues, and the downturn in the fiscal resources at the state and county.”

President of the Board, Patrick Hess added, “With the September 30 enrollments showing a decline and the poor shape of the economy, it is the fiscally responsible decision to make at this time.”

During the Board’s business meeting Monday evening, the board members unanimously approved the request of County Executive Craig and the recommendation from Superintendent Haas and President Hess to defer the Red Pump Road Elementary School project indefinitely. The school system will continue to hold a place in the annual Capital Improvement Program for construction of the school, but will not proceed at this time.

Commenting on the Board’s decision, County Executive Craig remarked, “I appreciate the support of Dr. Haas, President Hess and the Board of Education to suspend this school project. Clearly it is not in the best interest of Harford County, particularly our taxpayers, to fund construction of a school which would be underutilized due to declining enrollment,” Craig stated.

Riverside Elementary PTA received a $10,000 grant towards the upgrade and refurbishment of the primary playground. The projected cost of improvements for the school playground is estimated at $70,000. To date, the PTA and school community have received more than $65,000 to support this project. New ADA compliant playground equipment should be installed at the school by the summer of 2009.

Homestead –Wakefield Elementary School PTA received two grants totally $9,990. One award is $5,000 towards improvements for the lobby of the school, including painting, painting of a mural and furniture assembly to replace existing furniture. The second grant totally $4,990, is for the school courtyard landscaping project.

“The School Beautification Grant Program is an excellent example of an effective government initiative that brings schools, the parent community and businesses together,” stated County Executive Craig. “We commend the PTA of Riverside and Homestead – Wakefield Elementary Schools for their hard work and commitment to our children,” Craig remarked.

School Beautification Grants are available to all schools within the Harford County Public School system, generally limited to $5,000 per project. Organizations may apply for more than one grant within the fiscal year. Grant funding provides assistance for materials or equipment only. No grant funds may be used for labor and related expenses.

The School Beautification Grant Program is designed to foster partnerships between schools, parents, local businesses and industry and the community. Funds may be awarded to support projects such as landscaping, playground improvement, painting, wildlife habitat and water quality improvements.

For more information regarding the School Beautification Grant Program, or to receive an application, visit the Harford County Government website at www.harfordcountymd.gov or contact the Department of Community Services at 410-638-3389, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The proposed change in board policy is on the agenda for tonight’s meeting. If it’s approved, the Board will abandon the current practice of rotating the board presidency and vice-presidency based on seniority, and elect their leaders instead.

Funny, the Board has been telling the public that elections are the wrong way to select school leaders. In fact, Board member Mark Wolkow has waged a vigorous campaign against elections, arguing that appointed board members provide the best possible leadership. So anyone the Governor appoints is good enough for the public, but not good enough for the Board? Sounds like a classic case of do as I say, not as I do.

The proposed policy would also allow new board members to run for president after one year of service and for vice-president after six months. And past board presidents would no longer have to wait for all the other members to have a turn before running for a second term.

It will be interesting to see how board members vote on the proposal. It’s possible that some members may oppose the shift away from leadership based on seniority, especially if they happen to be next in line. But the idea must have some support on the Board, or it wouldn’t be on the agenda in the first place. Maybe a new board member is looking for a fast track to leadership, or a past president wants another shot at running the show.

We’ll know soon enough. If the policy change is approved tonight, the Board will hold their elections in April. Right around the same time the Maryland General Assembly will let the voters of Harford County know if we can hold school board elections of our own.

When Christian Slattery attended a morning assembly at Hall’s Cross Roads Elementary School this morning, he had no idea that he was the guest of honor and that he would walk away with a $25,000 award. Surprised, in front of students, faculty, and staff, the vocal music teacher at the Harford County public school, graciously accepted the Milken Award from Jane Foley, Senior Vice President of the Milken Educator Awards and Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick, during a surprise school assembly. Slattery, an educator for six years, is free to use the no-strings attached cash prize in any manner he chooses. He will receive the actual monetary award this spring at the Milken National Education Conference in Los Angeles.

“It is wonderful that an elementary vocal music teacher is one of only 80 teachers across the country to receive a Milken Educator Award,” said Dr. Grasmick. “I am impressed by Christian Slattery’s amazing ability to integrate the music curriculum with other content areas. He truly demonstrates his creatively and commitment to education through his work with individual classroom teachers to build and enhance instruction in all subject areas.”

“Christian loves what he does,” said Gwendolyn Benjamin-Jones, Principal of Hall’s Cross Roads Elementary School. “He has a very special connection to the school community and loves the students. They perform at a higher level because of his ability to zero in on what’s needed, whether it’s a song that helps students memorize math facts or grammar concepts – Christian has such a unique ability to bring out the best in all the students.”

Hailed as “the Oscars of Teaching” by Teacher Magazine, the Milken Educator Awards were conceived by Lowell Milken, chairman and co-founder, to recognize the importance of outstanding educators and encourage talented young people to enter teaching. Unlike most teaching awards, the Milken Educator Awards have no formal nomination or application process. Each year exceptional teachers and principals can be recommended without their knowledge. The Milken Foundation makes a final decision on its Award recipients.

“Nothing in America’s k-12 schools has more influence on student learning than the quality of the classroom teacher,” said Mr. Milken. “Highly effective teachers are the bedrock in constructing a world-class education system that meets our challenges and opportunities in this 21st century. It is a national imperative that we attract, retain and motivate people of talent to the profession. America’s prosperity depends on it.”

This year’s honorees will propel the ranks of recipients to more than 2,300 with financial prizes topping $60 million. Established in 1985, the Award alternates yearly between elementary and secondary educators. The 2008 recipients will actually receive their $25,000 checks during the Milken National Education Conference held April 17-19 in Los Angeles. They will also join the Milken Educator Network, a group of distinguished educators, whose expertise serves as a valuable resource to fellow educators, legislators, school boards and others shaping the future of education.

Candidates for the Milken Educator Awards are selected on the basis of the following criteria:

Exceptional educational talent as evidenced by effective instructional practices and student learning results in the classroom and school;

Exemplary educational accomplishments beyond the classroom that provide models of excellence for the profession;
Strong long-range potential for professional and policy leadership; and

Engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students, colleagues and the community.

To date, 53 Maryland educators have been honored by the Milken Family Foundation with more than $1.1 million since the state began participating 15 years ago.

Clearly, Wolkow is working with someone in the State Legislature to craft an alternative to elections. Most likely it’s James – they’ve worked together on this issue in the past. But if Wolkow and James are planning a battle against the tide of public support for elections, they’ll need new ammunition.

That would explain why Delegate James put this question at the top of a recent survey of her constituents:

“There has been a push to turn our school-board members into politicians who have to campaign and fundraise in order to be elected. How concerned are you about this?”

That isn’t a survey question. A survey question is:  Do you support school board elections, yes or no? This is a push-poll contrived to gin up vague “concerns” about school board elections, as if elections were an unknown concept.

The effort fits neatly into Wolkow’s bizarre new assertion that the majority of voters oppose elections. Even though he testified in a State Senate hearing earlier this year that a referendum for elections would pass easily.

Anyway, isn’t Mary-Dulany James one of those “politicians who have to campaign and fundraise in order to be elected?” That means any concerns about elections would necessarily affix themselves to James and every other elected leader in the nation. Does she really want the voters scratching their heads over that one?

Delegate James ought to demand a refund from the political operative who concocted that boomerang of a question. The voters will surely see it for what it is.

But why would James put it out that way in the first place? A survey question is supposed to find out what people think. This one was rigged to make it appear that people think the way she does.

In 2003, Delegate James cast one of only two “no” votes in the 188-member General Assembly on a bill to put school board elections to a referendum in Cecil County. When the referendum was finally put to James’ Cecil County constituents, 87% of the voters approved elections. After an overwhelming result like that, could this survey be another of Delegate James’ questionable uses of taxpayer funds, especially if it’s an attempt to misrepresent public opinion?

Last year, a bill to bring elections to Harford County had the support of all 11 of Harford County’s senators and delegates, except for James. She sponsored competing legislation to create a school board nominating caucus. James testified that she only wanted to provide a fall-back in case the elected school board bill failed. Both bills died, but the scuttlebutt is James worked behind the scenes to kill the elected school board and then denied it.

With another General Assembly session just around the corner, results from this new push poll would allow Delegate James to claim constituent support as a cover for her ongoing fight against school board elections. Then it might be safe to bring her long held position into the light of day.

In the following letter to The Dagger, Edgewood Community Council President Jansen Robinson shares an e-mail Wolkow sent to leaders in the Edgewood community, warning them of the dangers of elections and drumming up support for a dressed-up version of the broken-down Permanent Nominating Caucus.

Along the way, Wolkow makes plenty of strange and erroneous arguments. But one in particular stands out.

Wolkow explains his fierce opposition to elections and sounds the alarm with the following sentence: “The Board of Education has long reflected the diversity (sex, race, religion, origin) in our County only because it has been appointed.”

Voters of Harford County, what say you?

On Nov 1, 2008, I convened a meeting between elected officials and member of the faith-based community serving Edgewood. The purpose for this meeting was to egin building a relationship between elected officials and faith-based leaders in the Edgewood community and to serve as a forum to share some of the more pressing issues facing our community. To that end this first meeting was a success.

One of the invited government officials was Mr. Mark Wolkow, the Edgewood representative to the Board of Education. He shared with me his thoughts on the issue of elected vs appointed school board, and I suggested that he share those thoughts with the faith-based leaders and provided him with their contact information. Below you will find information that has ben sent to many (but not all) of the faith-based leaders who are active in the Edgewood Community.

My role as the ECC Chair is to provide as much information to my community as is available on the wide range of issues facing us so that we may then make informed decisions. To that end, i am forwarding you this information in hopes of receiving as much information as is available regarding the other side of this very important issue. Let me state that while I am a supportter of Elected School Board members, I want Edgewood residents to have ALL of the information for and against.

Jansen Robinson

And here is Wolkow’s letter to the Edgewood area pastors:

Dear Pastors,

It was great meeting with you last Saturday. We have made great strides in the Edgewood area - particularly in education - where test scores are rising and behavior issues are falling. I just wanted to follow up on the note that Jansen forwarded to you concerning the appointed vs. elected Board issue.

I’ll keep it short, since you’ve already received the “long version” - which I’ve included below for ease of reference.

The simple message is that I believe passionately about our public schools - particularly those in the Edgewood area - and I believe that we will have a continuing need for individuals who serve on the Board of Ed to have that passion. We have a better chance of achieving that passion with an appointed Board of Ed - a volunteer Board where people want to improve education, not look at it as a stepping stone to higher office. For example, few if any of the current Board (myself included) would ever have campaigned for the Board of Ed position we currently hold.

I have been working with a group that is seeking (and getting) support from leaders throughout the County - Parent leaders, Educational leaders, Community leaders, Business leaders, Faith leaders - to tell our elected officials we want to keep an appointed BOE. We believe that a diverse, Harford-county based commission (similar to a judicial nominating commission) that submits names to the Governor, where the Governor cannot go outside those names for appointees, is the method that will best serve our students and citizens of Harford County.

And lastly, I have only 3 1/2 years left on my term representing the Edgewood area. Through my work with the Edgewood Community Council, I believe we have several highly qualifed individuals who would serve our community well by serving on the Board of Ed. Some of these individuals, like myself, would never consider running in a political campaign, but might very well seek and accept an appointment.

I would greatly appreciate if you would join us in this mission, and offer that if you have any questions whatsoever about the details, to contact me (410-xxx-xxxxh; 410-xxx-xxxxc; 443-xxx-xxxxw) pretty much any time, day or evening, any day of the week.

You have great influence in the community, and our Delegation understands that. I hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks!

Mark

Mark Wolkow
mwolkow@xxx.xxx

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Here is the original cover note and letter - if you have enough information and believe in this effort, I’d appreciate if you would sign below and return this note to me via email. Your are also welcome to share this with your colleagues in the clergy and/or other leaders in the County to gain their support as well.

Thx, Mark

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Dear

I know you are busy. But please, take a moment to read this note if you care at all about the future of public education in Harford County. Unless we take action in the next 8 weeks, Harford’s public education system may go to an elected Board of Education, which could have significant negative impacts on the students and taxpayers in our County.

We know that an appointed Board of Education has served Harford County - its students, teachers, parents, and taxpayers - extremely well over the past 40 years. We know this from experience – we have seen the excellent results and continuous improvement of our students. More specifically, we have seen no good reason to change the system. We know that education and politics often do not mix well.

Nevertheless, a small group of individuals have lobbied our legislators very hard to change to an elected Board of Education. We know they don’t represent a majority, or even a significant minority, of the people in Harford County – especially of those who are involved in or with public education. But if the people of good will in Harford County remain silent, this small group will, in all likelihood, succeed in getting a bill passed in the next General Assembly forcing an elected Board of Education.

A group of dedicated Harford County citizens has been working for over a year to develop legislation that will best serve the needs of our County. We have taken the best aspects of the Permanent Nominating Caucus (our previous method for recommending nominees), a recent bill that preserved an appointed Board in Anne Arundel County, and input from a wide variety of stakeholders – parents, students, teachers, elected officials, business people, and community members. We have even tracked the comments of those seeking an elected Board, and made modifications to address their key issues as well.

This is a non-partisan issue for the vast majority of people, although some in the the pro-elected Board contingent has tried to make it one. Our working group has had virtually a 50-50 representation from both major parties, and has reached a strong consensus on a way ahead. We have even included groups in our discussions that have not taken a formal position on the issue, including the Harford County Education Association, the Harford County Council of PTAs, the Chamber of Commerce, the HCC Board of Trustees, and a representative of the Presidents of local Parks and Recreation Councils. All of this is in the spirit of building consensus, transparency, and working toward the best solution possible. Even groups that have not taken an official position on the issue have all declared their intent to serve on a Nominating Commission if one is put into place to preserve an appointed Board.

To that end, we ask that you add your name to the Harford County leaders and concerned citizens who support an appointed Board of Education. Please read the following brief statement that will be delivered to our State Representatives. I urge you to sign and return it to me as soon as possible. If you know of other Harford County leaders and concerned citizens, please share this with them. Time is of the essence.

Thank you,

To: The Senators and Delegates representing Harford County

Cc: The County Council of Harford County; the County Executive of Harford County, etc.

From: Harford County Leaders and Concerned Citizens (see attached signature page)

We support an appointed Board of Education in Harford County. We believe that the Board of Education should be appointed by the Governor; be based strictly on the recommendations of a Nominating Commission comprised of County-wide organizations; and that the nomination process provide for broad citizen input. This will best serve the students and citizens of Harford County. Here’s why:

- Build on our Success!

o Harford County students consistently rank near the top in every performance measure, both academic and non-academic, despite funding levels at or near the lowest of any jurisdiction in the State.

o According to the National School Board Association, whose membership is comprised of mostly elected school boards, no research or data demonstrates Elected Boards attain better results that appointed Boards.

- Keep politics out of Education!

o Harford County has enjoyed great stability in the Superintendent’s position – only 7 have served over the past century – primarily due to the lack of politics, which is often present when a Board is elected.

o Boards appointed by a Governor, subject to the names submitted by a non-partisan local commission, are far less political than elected Boards.

o Appointed Board members are typically interested in education; are less likely to be influenced by special-interest groups (that may have supported the individual in an election); and, are less likely to use the Board as a stepping stone for higher office.

- The Board of Education should be accountable to all stakeholders!

o The appointed Board is accountable to all of the students in the County rather than a single geographical area.

o As taxpayers, we do not see the value of expending upwards of $100,000 of our money every year for an elected Board.

- Our Board of Education should reflect our community!

o The Board of Education has long reflected the diversity (sex, race, religion, origin) in our County only because it has been appointed.

- Harford County Leaders support an appointed Board of Education!

o Leaders from the business community, parent organizations, school employee associations, school administrators, community non-profits, and virtually every current and past member of the Board of Education have expressed a strong preference for an appointed Board and concern with moving to an elected Board of Education.

I support the above position in favor of an appointed Board of Education.

Name: _____________________________ (electronic version acceptable)

Title: _____________________________

Date: _____________________________

City: _____________________________

Phone: _____________________________

Email: _____________________________