White House General Counsel Victor Bernson will likely become the freshman member of the Anne Arundel County School Board this summer after winning the support of the county?s nominating convention delegates.
He would replace Paul Rudolph, who has represented District 33 for 10 years and whose term expires this year.
Anne Arundel County?s School Board remains an appointed body despite repeated attempts by some in the county?s General Assembly delegation to turn it into an elected board. A bill to create an elected board passed the House of Delegates this spring, but was killed in the Senate by Anne Arundel County lawmakers.
Delegates gave Bernson 60 votes out of almost 120 total during Wednesday night?s convention. Millersville businessman Thomas Frank came in second with 25 votes. Both names will be forwarded to Gov. Robert Ehrlich for his approval by July 1. The governor can appoint one of the convention?s nominees or appoint someone of his own choosing.
Ehrlich appointed Bernson, 41, a veteran political appointee and career public servant, to the Maryland Higher Education Commission in February.
Bernson said he plans to retain his seat on the commission and still be a hands-on member of the School Board.
“I want to make sure we?re handling our resources well,” he said. “I?m not in favor of exploding or doing away with our tax cap, but we can?t keep using a lack of funds as an excuse.”
The new School Board member will join the district?s newly named superintendent, Kevin Maxwell, in tackling some major issues, including overcrowding in some schools, minority achievement, and tensions between district administration and parents.
Prior to his position as general counsel for the White House Office of Administration, Bernson served as an attorney for the U.S. Department of Defense and was a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General?s Corps from 1990-98.
