Harford County school board members would be selected by a new staggered election process under a plan supported by County Council members and state lawmakers.
Parents have pushed to change the selection process to an election from an unofficial Permanent Nominating Caucus in which community groups, parents and activists recommend a nominee to the governor for appointment.
“I maintain that the PNC never worked,” said County Councilman Richard Slutzky, a former teacher.”The PNC has been manipulated for the last 30 years.”
He said politicians and special-interest groups tried to get their favorite candidates elected by influencing PNC members.
Slutzky proposed that voters elect the board?s six members, one from each county district, to four-year terms.
Half the members would be elected when the U.S. president is elected, and the other half in Maryland gubernatorial election years, so the board isn?t starting over on issues every few years. Now, members serve five years, but are typically reappointed for five more, Slutzky said.
A group of board members yet to be determined would appoint the president under his plan.
The board president, who now serves one year, and members rotate into the position.
“We?re going to go through new board presidents every year now,” Slutzky said, “and that may be the most ecumenical process, but I?m looking for the best leaders.”
Slutzky?s plan received more support from council members than a proposed board in which most members would be elected, but some appointed.
Del. Barry Glassman, R-District 35A, had proposed such a blended board in the state legislature last year but the measure failed. No county in the state has a blended board.
“If we go with a blended board … we?re just not going to get any traction,” said Del. Susan McComas, R-District 35B.
