An attorney who previously sued the Howard County School Board, arguing members violated the Open Meetings Act, is trying for a third time to gain a seat on the board.
Allen Dyer, 59, of Glenelg, filed Monday with the county Elections Board, the deadline for local, state and county candidates seeking election in the fall.
“I?m a strong proponent of open meetings,” said Dyer, who is married and has two children who graduated from the county school system.
The state law requires that public officials conduct business in a public place, except under special circumstances. In 2000, Dyer sued the School Board, claiming members violated the act. But Howard County Circuit Court Judge James Dudley dismissed the suit. Dyer appealed to the state Court of Special Appeals, but the court issued an opinion affirming Dudley?s ruling. Dyer has since re-appealed to the Court of Special Appeals.
Dyer said he?s running for school board to promote interaction among parents, students and the community and thus make public education the best that it can be.
Dyer said there are too many unanimous votes on the School Board. “I want to see some 4-3 votes,” he said, referring to the board?s expansion to seven members after the fall election due to increasing student enrollment.
School Board Member Courtney Watson, who is seeking a seat on County Council, said Dyer made a “valid point,” by bring the issue of public meetings to the community?s attention. She also said the board isn?t violating the act. But, she said, Dyer is a “one-issue candidate” on the topic.
The voters need to see “more than one issue,” Watson said.
Dyer is the 11th candidate for five seats open on the School Board. The other candidates are Paul Aliprando, Frank Aquino, Larry Cohen, Sandra French, Ellen Flynn Giles, Joshua Kaufman, Roger Lerner, Dr. Janet Siddiqui, Peter Sola and Di Zou.
