Baltimore County legislators said they are divided among several proposals aiming for greater local input on who serves on the county?s school board and an increase in minority representation.
The county?s Senate delegation heard testimony last week on three proposals that could create a hybrid appointed-elected board, re-establish a nominating convention or require Senate confirmation of the governor?s appointments.
A hearing in the House of Delegates is scheduled Wednesday, and one official said legislators seem torn among the proposals.
If that holds true, state Sen. Bobby Zirkin, D-District 11, said all of the proposals could fail.
“Fully elected and fully appointed school boards both have their problems,” Zirkin said. “Appointed tend to be less accountable because they don?t have to answer to the public. Elected boards are criticized because they become too political.”
Currently, the governor appoints four at-large members, seven from each County Council district and one student representative. Under Zirkin?s proposal, voters would elect one member from each district in addition to the governor?s eight appointments.
Minority advocates said they support a proposal sponsored by state Sen. Delores Kelley, D-District 10, that requires the governor?s appointments to reflect the student population?s demographic composition and calls for Senate oversight.
About 48 percent of the county?s student population is minority, according to county records, but only two sitting board members are minorities ? a gross disparity, said members of the county?s chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
“Sen. Kelley?s bill appears to be the only means by which we could ensure diversity, still have the public represented through their elected officials and know the source of the appointments,” said Barbara Dezmon, a member of the organization?s executive board who testified last week. “It?s the only one that mentions the demographics and equity.”
A third proposal, sponsored by state Sen. Kathy Klausmeier,
D-District 8, recreates a nominating convention to provide the governor with a list of approved candidates ? a process that challengers said failed in the 1990s when the governor ignored the convention?s recommendations.
At least two sitting board members, including President Don Arnold, said they favor keeping an appointed board, but would support variations of Kelley?s and Klausmeier?s bills.
School leaders are expected to testify Wednesday on a House bill that matches Zirkin?s.
APPOINTED SCHOOL BOARDS
» Anne Arundel County
» Baltimore*
» Baltimore County*
» Caroline County
» Harford County*
» Queen Anne?s County**
» Wicomico County
*Lawmakers are considering changes toward elected boards
**Transitioning to an elected board at the 2008 election
Source: Department of Legislative Services
