Baltimore County?s delegates in the General Assembly voted Friday to back a proposal for a school board that would include both appointed and elected members.
The existing board comprises four at-large members, one from each of the seven County Council districts and one student representative, all appointed by the governor. Under the proposal, voters would elect one member from each district. The governor would appoint the student representative and another member from each County Council district.
Delegates overcame a sharp divide last week, voting 14-4 to back the proposal, said bill sponsor Del. Dan Morhaim, D-District 11.
“I think it sets up a very nice, responsive system with checks and balances,” Morhaim said. “If it?s all elected, it becomes too political. If none are elected, it?s too remote.”
Meanwhile, state senators voted to eliminate one of two alternatives to the hybrid bill Friday, said Sen. Bobby Zirkin, D-District 11. They killed a proposal to require Senate confirmation of the governor?s appointments but are still considering creating a nomination committee to supply the governor with a list of approved candidates.
Zirkin said senators seem split between that option and the proposal for a combined appointed and elected board but agree a change is necessary.
“It?s a long shot, but I?m more optimistic today than I was a week ago,” he said.
