The Montgomery County school board voted unanimously to name a new president and vice president of its often at-odds circle.
Christopher Barclay of District 4, which includes Silver Spring and Wheaton, stepped up from the vice president position to replace Bethesda’s Patricia O’Neill as school board president.
After thanking his colleagues for their support, Barclay joked, “I wonder if they are throwing me to the wolves in such an interesting year.”
In the months ahead, the school board will wrangle a difficult budget and search for a new superintendent to serve after Jerry Weast’s planned June 30 retirement.
At-large board member Shirley Brandman was elected vice president, followed by a shuffling of seats at a Dec. 7 board meeting so that the new leaders could take their positions.
“You’re never truly, truly prepared to do this … now you just have to get down to the business of our meeting,” Barclay said.
