The Harford County Council introduced a resolution asking the state for a more accountable Board of Education but delayed the formal request pending more input from parents and teachers.
A resolution co-written by District A Democrat Dion Guthrie and District E Republican Richard Slutzky asked Harford?s delegation in the Statehouse to support a majority-elected school board over the current state-appointed one.
District F Council Member Mary Ann Lisanti objected to its immediate approval to give time for more input.
Neither the Harford County Education Association nor the Board of Education heard of the resolution before Tuesday, she said. “I believe it will do no harm to us just to hold this over for another week, so that all the stakeholders have an opportunity to take a look at this.”
Slutzky said he wanted to get the attention of the county delegation before they leave for Annapolis ? a goal he said was accomplished by raising the issue.
In order to get an elected school board ? which 18 of Maryland?s 24 school districts already have ? the delegation must get Harford added to a list of systems with elected board members, Slutzky said. From there, the council would be willing to work with the delegation to create the details, such as term length, frequency of elections and pay for board members, he said.
Several parents spoke in favor of an elected board.
“The current Board members are good people ? with a tough job,” said Bel Air High School PTSA President Cindy Mumby. “But the tougher job is to stand before the board and advocate when they aren?t listening.”
