School Board Bill Closer to Passage

K Blue April 5, 2012 at 02:52 pm

Excellent. This issue has been delayed for far too long. 6 years if I am not mistaken. Regardless of how each legislator votes, its high time that the citizens of Baltimore County learn exactly where their legislators stand on this issue and be given an opportunity to hear the recorded reasons for or against a change in the composition of the School Board. Most citizens cannot afford to comb the halls of Annapolis and have been relying on word-of-mouth, direct legislator contact, credible reporters and less-than-credible sources to find out their positions. I look forward to reading about the votes today and then listening to the proceedings when they are posted.

JDStuts April 5, 2012 at 03:30 pm

Here, here. Time for some on transparency on this issue once and for all.

John Doby April 5, 2012 at 04:56 pm

I hope there will be some sort of hybrid board. Politicians can abuse their power and place people on the board that are beneficial to them, but if they don’t abuse the power the right people do get the job. Changing to a fully elected board could actually bring more politics into the equation with people having to get donors and sponsors to pay for their campaigns. The school board officials then will unofficially “owe” their donors just like politicians do today. There are potential problems with both choices. Maybe a combination of the 2 would work with a politician picking several candidates and the population voting on the best of those candidates.

Tom Henry April 5, 2012 at 07:12 pm

Apparently it has passed as of now. However, as a constituent of LD8, I am extremely disappointed to hear both Sen. Klausmeier and Del. Cluster voted against it.

Bryan P. Sears (Editor) April 5, 2012 at 07:15 pm

Tom: An amended House version passed in the Senate. It now goes back to the House for concurrence. The county House delegation met moments after the Senate vote. Del. Cluster voted in favor of the amended version of the bill.

EdPodowski April 6, 2012 at 02:18 am

This bill should never have passed. We the tax payers are going to pay again for the state's mismanagement of our tax dollars. There is no accountability to us as tax payers.

Towson John April 6, 2012 at 02:33 am

Thank you Senator Zirkin!

Towson John April 6, 2012 at 02:35 am

Zirkin and Jennings apparently did a great job on the floor. Proud of my guy Brochin for supporting this bill. Bipartisan effort for transparency. Hope the House of Delegates does the right thing.

Paul Amirault April 6, 2012 at 10:29 am

Sorry to be the fly in the cereal, my view is that we will have an elected board with many of those unqualified to balance a checkbook, let alone hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer money. My position was appt by County Exec and confirmation by County Council. Too bad.

Laurie Taylor-Mitchell April 7, 2012 at 02:11 pm

The bill now in the House would create a hybrid school board, with 6 elected members and 5 appointed members. County Executive Kevin Kamenetz is apparently working hard to convince the Chair of Ways and Means, Delegate Sheila Hixson (Montgomery County), to delay issuing a concurrence for House Bill 481, which will kill the bill because it cannot then get out of the committee for a vote. Committee Chairs traditionally defer to local leaders on bills related to their jurisdictions, and rightfully so. But Mr. Kamenetz does not represent the majority of his constituents with his fierce opposition to any kind of elected representation on the school board.
A hybrid school board is supported by: The League of Women Voters The majority of the County Council The majority of the Baltimore County delegations in both the House and Senate, as well as in the Assembly as a whole, and there will still be 5 appointed board members. People should consider calling Chairwoman Hixson's office today, (410) 841-3469 (Saturday, 4/7, the legislature is in session), and leave messages at the County Executive's office, 410-887-2450 (the last day of session is Monday). We should not allow this maneuver by the Baltimore County Executive to ruin our chances of getting elected representation on the board. Mr. Kamenetz wants to maintain his power over vetting the appointments at the County level before they go on the Governor.

johnny towson April 7, 2012 at 09:42 pm

Kamentez does not care about his constituents. Kevin cares about Kevin. The snickering of legislators and representatives about his immaturity and pompous attitude is getting louder.

gigi margo April 7, 2012 at 10:41 pm

thanks for the comment Steve

gigi margo April 7, 2012 at 10:42 pm

did u ever get a job??